Turkey: Kusadasi and Ephesus

Our time in Turkey was split between the ruins in Ephesus and the market in Kusadasi.

Ephesus used to be a main port, but over time the sea receded and the city was abandoned. Only about 10% of the ruins have been excavated, but there is still plenty to see. The night before our visit we read the New Testament sections on Ephesus, which really helped during the tour since a lot of Paul's writings were referenced.

The first picture is what ships pulling into the Ephesian port would have seen. The large amphitheater hosted many gladiator tournaments and was one of the places Paul is known to have preached to the Ephesians.

My favorite structure was the Celsus Library.

After the tour our guide took us to a Turkish rug shop, where we learned the meaning of "flying carpets".

Then our guide took us to a yummy place for lunch. Turkish doners, kabobs, flat bread, hummus, tzatziki, apple tea. It was all feeling so right until darkness hit half the family later that night. Lesson learned: when they say watch what you eat in certain foreign countries, heed the advice.