Ephesus, Turkey
October, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011 Kusadasi and Ephesus
Today was our first pre-booked shore excursion. We had to do it as there was no other way of getting to Ephesus as it was a 30min drive from the port. First we went to the virgin Mary’s house, where she spent her last years. The Apostle John brought her here after Jesus ascended, because John was appointed the apostle to asia minor.
Ephesus was the highlight of our cruise. It was once a coastal town, but an earthquake around 300AD caused to sea to recede, so the town was left to ruin. In its heyday, 2000 years ago, it was the 2nd largest city in the world. Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Hadrian, Julius Ceasar, Mary, St John, St Luke and St Paul all walked along these streets at one stage or another. We stood in the actual 25000 seat stadium where Paul preached to the Ephesians.
Our tour guide was fantastic. He was a tour guide for nine months of the year and an archaeologist the other 3 months. He told us that only 10% of Ephesus has been uncovered, the remaining 90% is still underground.
At the end of our tour, our guide wanted to take us on a carpet making demonstration. We said no thanks, and went back to the ship for lunch. The kids went to kids club, while Gwen and I explored the port town of Kusadasi, one of Turkey’s more popular tourist towns, where the sun shines 300 days a year. While we were exploring, an earthquake magnitude 7.2 hit Turkey… lucky it was 1000 km away in far east Ecris. We did not feel anything!
Today was our first pre-booked shore excursion. We had to do it as there was no other way of getting to Ephesus as it was a 30min drive from the port. First we went to the virgin Mary’s house, where she spent her last years. The Apostle John brought her here after Jesus ascended, because John was appointed the apostle to asia minor.
Ephesus was the highlight of our cruise. It was once a coastal town, but an earthquake around 300AD caused to sea to recede, so the town was left to ruin. In its heyday, 2000 years ago, it was the 2nd largest city in the world. Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Hadrian, Julius Ceasar, Mary, St John, St Luke and St Paul all walked along these streets at one stage or another. We stood in the actual 25000 seat stadium where Paul preached to the Ephesians.
Our tour guide was fantastic. He was a tour guide for nine months of the year and an archaeologist the other 3 months. He told us that only 10% of Ephesus has been uncovered, the remaining 90% is still underground.
At the end of our tour, our guide wanted to take us on a carpet making demonstration. We said no thanks, and went back to the ship for lunch. The kids went to kids club, while Gwen and I explored the port town of Kusadasi, one of Turkey’s more popular tourist towns, where the sun shines 300 days a year. While we were exploring, an earthquake magnitude 7.2 hit Turkey… lucky it was 1000 km away in far east Ecris. We did not feel anything!