Turkey

After four days in Istanbul we took a one-hour flight down to Izmir on Turkey's Aegean Coast where we rented a car to spend four days exploring the ruins of this land. Driving in Turkey was a joy. Although at first it was slightly confusing as we had finally adjusted our American brains to driving on the left side of the road, only to find ourselves needing to drive on the right side of the road again here. Why the industrial world couldn't collaborate on this and keep everyone on the same side of the road is beyond me!



Our primary target in this region was the fabled city of Ephesus, of Paul's-letter-to-the-Ephesians fame. This ancient trading city has a colorful past that includes a continuous game of goddess musical chairs and ever-changing control of power from one nation to another. Each group left its mark and despite the mass of cruise ship passengers shuffling through, echoes of Ephesus' grand past can still be heard.


Curetes Way


Library of Celsus


Library of Celsus


Library of Celsus


Finding bugs amoung the sarcaphogi


Library of Celsus


Library of Celsus


Curetes Way

Perhaps even more enjoyable than Ephesus, was visiting the lesser visited and more peaceful ancient cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma. Here aside from the occasional fellow vistor we had these cities to ourselves. We enjoyed the serenity of these relatively untouched locations.


On the steps to Priene


Priene


Priene


Priene Theatre


The seats of honor, Priene Theatre


Temple of Athena, Priene


In the column graveyard, Temple of Athena, Priene


How a two year-old measures up to a column diameter, Priene


Our everloving naturalist spots a Turkish turtle hiding in the column graveyard, Priene


Temple of Athena, Priene


Temple of Athena, Priene


Priene


A mosque in every town


Didyma, The Temple of Apollo


Didyma, The Temple of Apollo


Dallin helping Madeleine navigate the ruins, Didyma


Didyma, The Temple of Apollo


Didyma, The Temple of Apollo


Didyma


Miletus, Great Theatre


Miletus


Miletus, Great Theatre


The Aegean