Friday, September 26, 2014

Cruising the Greek Islands: Ephesus


The morning of the third full day of the cruise found us approaching Kusadasi, a Turkish port near the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. Once on shore, we boarded a bus that took us first to the ruins of the Basilica of St. John (of Patmos fame), thence to Ephesus. It was an interesting morning, but as I wrote in my journal the following day, "My only impression of Ephesus is that it - the visit - made me want even more than before to learn about the ancient Greek and Roman worlds."

View from the hill on which stand the ruins of the Basilica of St. John. During Greek and Roman times when the city of Ephesus thrived, the ocean came up the valley to the city. Centuries ago, however, the river that had created the valley silted up and the ocean retreated.

Our group standing and listening to our guide (with the white visor). She was a very pleasant, knowledgeable woman who seemed unflappable. She reminded me of Tour Guide Barbie from Toy Story 2 in that she had a constant smile on her face and used the phrase, "Dear Guests," over and over again.




Detail in the temple to the Roman emperor Hadrian

The temple

Another detail of Hadrian's temple

Library of Celsus

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