Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Kusadasi & Ephesus, Turkey - Fake Watches, Biblical Ruins & A Virgin

The Virgin Mary House
A Christian and Muslim Shrine located on Mt Koressos
Pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine), or Dormition (according to Orthodox belief).


We rented a car (as usual) and drove out of town towards Ephesus... We spent about an hour or so at the Virgin Mary house and headed on to Ephesus.  I could have taken or left the Virgin Mary house... a historic and religious place to have seen and been to but really not a lot of pizazz here.  If and when you go out to Turkey - Ephesus is a place to see!  It is HOT there... so plan your day to start here and hit the beaches later. 
A Lot of Rock and a Lot of People! 
Ephesus was an amazing place to visit.... the history of this place is incredible and the mere fact you can stand where Paul spoke is awesome.  Plus Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!  Really an abundance oh history and relevance. 

These are a few pictures of the Library of Celsus... this was my favorite!

Ladies Beach
It wasn't hard getting my hubby to a place called Ladies Beach!  This is the most popular beach in Kusadasi and known as the Turkish Riviera.  It was named ladies beach as back in the day the beaches were segregated by gender.  A great place to spend the afternoon lounging on a beach chair and watching all the people.... definitely not a secluded beach. 

Turkish Bazaar

Now this was FUN!  Strolling the alleys of the Turkish markets was quite fun and amusing.  Hookah shops, handmade Turkish rugs being made and oh the haggling!  My favorite were all the "genuine" fake watches... they had everything in the "genuine" market!  I walked away with some quirky handmade (I think) pottery.  This is the place to go if you love to bargain with the shop owners...


Our Princess Cruise Ship in the background of this amazing shot from a hillside...Gorgeous! 


Ahhh...and what afternoon is complete without Happy Hour on the Turkish Riviera.  Taking in the sights and the sea and ending our day in Turkey.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to visit this diverse country... I still have a lot of exploring to do here but for my first time if was FAB! 

Ill leave you with a Turkish Proverb....
Bir elin nesi var, iki elin sesi var.
    Two heads are better than one.

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