Ephesus - Kusadasi

IWednesday 18th June

Today we are off to Ephesus - said to be the best and most extensive Roman ruins in the world. We then stay at Ladies Beach, Kusadasi for the night before heading to Samos the first stop in the Greek  Islands. 

We hired a taxi to take us to Ephesus and wait while we had a look around. It is so hot, real melting stuff.

Ephesus - mind blowing! A whole a Roman city. And to think at this stage only 10% has been excavated. Amazing! Statues once stood on the plinths. Poms took them and they are now in the British Museum.

The view looking down from the top, showing the size of the site.

One of the Amphitheatres - used to seat 24,000 people.

What would have been the entrance to the stage area - changing rooms 

The Library - said to be one of the first "universities "

Statue in bath house

Inside of one of the houses

The communal toilet house - some restored. There is a proper sewer system under the city. Amazing for the times.

Part of the marketplace.

Archaeologists at work! Incredible to see them in action. Must be so exciting unearthing the relics. Sam's dream job!

Was a truly amazing place and a must see! Could spend hours if it wasn't for the heat.

Great to get to our hotel at Ladies Beach for a swim. Hotel with a balcony overlooking the beach.

Beach was so crowded , but the water crystal clear.

After a bit of R & R we head into Kusadasi town. This is a major port area for cruise ships. There is a huge bazaar here also, along with a selection of normal shops. Some good bargains. Sam found some half price Levi's - from Levi shop, so the real thing!

Nice ice cream too.

Gorgeous sunset over the beach. Finish the night off with a lovely meal at our hotel restaurant. If you are ever in Kusadasi would recommend this hotel - so obliging and friendly. Top notch service.

Early start tomorrow to catch the ferry to Samos.

Athens to Izmir

Tuesday 17th June

Up bright and early to explore the Acropolis . It's already 30 degrees at 9 o'clock.

Hoping to skip some crowds.

This is the fruit market right outside our hotel . So cheap . Cherries 1euro 49 a kilo!

The Acropolis is a totally amazing site, sitting on the hilltop overlooking Athens and would have been incredible if it had have survived. The Parthenon was obliterated when it was hit by cannon fire when used as a munitions battery.  The poms have a lot to answer for as they have taken lots of the columns and statues from there which are now in the British Museum.

The Theatre of Dionysus

The seating in here has been renewed and it is used for concerts.

The Propylaea and Temple of Athena Nike

The Erechthelon - built about 420BC 

The Parthenon - huge restoration work being done - the back

There are lots of ruins in the distance too.

The ruins of the Temple of Zeus.

Hadrian's Arch

I guess it is only now that people are realising how important it is to preserve all this history.  When Sam visited in 1979 he was able walk in the Parthenon and sit on the edge. Lots of areas are protected which is great. Huge restoration work is in action, some good, some not so good.

Despite trying to protect it, we saw one guy picking up pieces to take home with him!

Head back to hotel to taxi to airport to Izmir, Turkey. It's a 1 hour flight. Just like flying Napier to Auckland, even same kind of plane.We had read an article a few months ago about doing a walking eating tour of a Izmir, so we set off to do that and sample the local food. Izmir is the 3rd biggest city in Turkey has 4 million people!

Kemeralti Bazaar is the first stop. They say you can buy absolutely anything you want there.

There are thousands of stalls and people everywhere! People wanting you to buy. Some bargains. None for us though!

Lamb steaks, heads, offal and below a huge selection of nuts.

These are the most delicious find on our eating tour . Called Midye Dolma - mussels stuffed with a rice mixture which has currants, cinnamon, pine nuts . It varies. A squeeze of lemon. Delicious. Very cheap - 5 Turkish Lira for 2 dozen - about $2.20.

Konak Square

There's not a lot else to see here. It's quite dirty. We have a kebab and drink and head for an early night. Ephesus tomorrow .

Florence to Athens

Monday 16th June

A big day of travel from Florence to Rome via train and Rome to Athens flight.

Great trip on train - superfast up to 300kms/hr. Amazing countryside - very green and lots of grapes and olives. Trip - one and a half hours.

Next to find the train to the airport - Leonardo de Vinci line. A kind lady offers to help us - fell for that one! She asks for money for helping and isn't happy with 3 euros - all the coins we have.

Flight to Athens an hour and a half. Super hot when we get off the plane. Head for metro to city.

Drop bags at hotel. Great view of the city from the roof of hotel. 

Go for a walk around the bottom of the Acropolis to look at some of the ruins. Entry to the Acropolis closes at 7pm, not worth going in. Up early tomorrow for further exploration

Have a lovely Greek dinner - traditional food. Delicious!