Riviera Day 3: Kusadasi, Turkey

A gentle bumping noise woke us this morning, a slight quartering wave catching us just so as to create little speed bumps in our motion. We were still cruising  towards Kusadasi, not due to arrive till noon-time.  With such a leisurely start we ambled to the gym for a 30-minute bike ride, then up a level to grab a cappuccino to go.  Showers, then a late breakfast, before grabbing a couple of lounge chairs to read while we approached the port. Aahhh, very civilized.

I arranged a private guide for us for this one port - the only guided bit of the whole trip. Kusadasi is famous as being the access point for Ephesus, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world and we wanted to get the most out of seeing it without having to be herded around like obstinate sheep.

Our guide, Millikai, was absolutely lovely and gave us just enough interesting info without lecturing. She kept us moving, for which we were thankful, as it was brutally hot and even the umbrellas she gave us couldn't shield us sufficiently from the sun.  

Ephesus is a 3rdC BC Greek - 6thC AD Roman town, famous today as being where St. Paul preached and potentially the last home of the Virgin Mary as well as having some fantastically preserved Terrace Houses. Whereas Pompeii was covered in ash, Ephesus was abandoned then buried by earthquakes. Only a portion of the city has been uncovered, it will take decades to reveal the rest.

Almost faint from heat exhaustion and malnourishment (we missed lunch!) we dragged ourselves back to the ship for a restoring Afternoon Tea followed by a drowsy read poolside.  We paid a visit to our new-favorite Maitre D' at the Polo Grill, who promised to seat us at 7:30pm even though we did not have reservations that evening. Suffice to say it was a steakhouse and we do love our red meat!  Mom thought she'd died and gone to heaven after tasting her Trio of Colossal Shrimp yet she still had beautiful lamb chops left to conquer while I sufficed myself with Florida (!) Lobster Surf & Turf.  Another successful day...

Next stop: Rhodes