It’s a beautiful day in Kusadasi, Turkey…
Port Briefing. We are one of 650 ships that visit this resort city every year. The name of the city comes from 'kuş' (bird) and 'ada' (island) because an offshore island near the city has the shape of a bird. The island is now connected to the mainland by a walkable causeway. There is not much on the island except for some recent ruins. Kusadasi has a population of about 70,000 living in the city proper and another 20,000 in the surrounding areas.
Ellen is on tour today doing a bus tour of Ephesus and Surrounding areas while I plan to walk the city and put some steps on my pedometer.
Queen Victoria and Rhapsody OTS Docked Today
The Eponymous Bird Island
Right across from the port is the Moorish style Kervansaray Hotel. I’ve never been inside but it is definitely an imposing structure.
My walk today will take me along the beachfront and into the city.
Ataturk Hill and Statue from the Boardwalk
I have seen the monument below several times but this time I stopped to take a closer look. It depicts Ataturk and two children and the inscription reads: ''Yurtta Sulh Cihanda Sulh'' (which translates as ''Peace at Home, Peace in the World''). I wonder how that is working out.
Ataturk Peace Statue
While I am pounding Kusadasi’s pavement, Ellen is on an A/C bus touring the countryside. He bus just skirted Ephesus so no real good pictures of the popular site.
However, the tour did stop at St. John’s Basilica. Built by Justinian I in the 6th Century, the structure marks the burial spot of St. John, the Apostle.
The Basilica of St. John
The bus also passed by the Temple of Athena (below).
Farmers Tending Their Flocks
Another significant stop is the House of St. Mary, the structure that Mary stayed at when she fled to Turkey after the crucifixion.
Ellen’s tour also stopped at a silkworm factory for a demonstration on the spinning of silk.
Silkworm and Silk Factory
Ellen and I met up again on the ship and decided to take another walk through the town. I also was able to see silkworms in action at a local store.
Back to the ship for dinner and the night’s entertainment, which, since I am writing this is November, I do not remember.
