Morning bus ride through fertile valleys to the town of Selcuk, we we planned a late afternoon visit to the ancient city of Ephesus, to avoid the hottest part of the day. Temperatures the previous afternoon when we were at Hierapolis were around 41 degrees apparently.
Wow, the ruins of Ephesus are mind blowing. You actually get the feeling that you are walking around a city, much more than anywhere else. The main streets still exist. Streets that have been walked on for thousands of years.
And clay pipe plumbing also running underground. Incredible planning and architecture. Latrines with central sprinkler system, possibly to mask other sounds, both bodily functions and discussions as latrines and bath houses were social places.
Isik told us about many of the significant buildings. I don't know how he remembers all the names, dates and stories. I certainly don't. He not only gives us the historical accounts, but the local variations as well. Always interesting.
Within Ephesus there's a covered excavation site. Huge covered area which was apparently terraces houses of wealthy inhabitants. We could see pictures of a large section of the hill, completely covered with soil and vegetation, and what's even unearthed in successive years. Incredible. So many pieces, and so many jig-saw puzzles. There's even a huge domed basilica, but in this case it was used as a welcoming room (entry) for greeting guests. Very elaborate.
A magnificent library! Held around 2500 scrolls and inscriptions, in vaulted sections between the walls
This is the largest theatre we have seen. Capacity for 25000 people. Huge.
Almost sunset
What a day. Topped it off with an Efes (local beer) near Ephesus!
And some ice-cream on the way home. As you do. Turkish ice cream has a slightly different texture. More elastic, or gummy. Not my favourite, but another experience all the same.
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