Our next port was Kusadasi, Turkey. This city is quite touristy with many shops and restaurants and it’s of course, full of tourists. We didn’t spend much time in Kusadasi itself (well, ok a little shopping on the way back to the boat – looking for Turkish Delights for Aaron), instead we spent our day in Turkey exploring the ruins of Ephesus. It is believed that settlers originally established Ephesus around 3000 B.C. Much later, Alexander the Great took over the city, then in 133 B.C. it came under Roman rule. The excavation of Ephesus, which began in the mid 1800s, has been extensive and is anticipated to go on for at least another 100 years. The ruins are impressive and remarkably well preserved. The Library of Celsus, pictured above, was beautiful and the details of the facade were unbelievable. Becki and I walked down the Arcadian Way, the street that runs from the Great Theater to the old Harbor, on the same stones that Marc Antony and Cleopatra once stepped on. It was truly as close to stepping back in time as I have ever felt.

Click on the photo above to see the album of pictures from Turkey.