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Blogs from Selçuk, Aegean, Turkey, Middle East - page 2
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July 17th 2011
Well, we’ve just “done” Ephesus and so I thought that I would write up the last few days before I become too confused. Our trip from Pamakkule was uneventful to the extent that we both spent parts of it asleep. We were in a minibus and while they are air-conditioned they still seem a bit warmer than big coaches. The bus trip itself was less interesting, travelling along a major highway with little in the line of interesting scenery. On arrival we found our hotel easily, but our check-in didn’t go as smoothly as previously - the hotel owners did not have a record of our booking. Luckily, Deb was able to show them a copy on her laptop and so all turned out OK in the end. It was about lunchtime when we arrived, but ... read more
July 17th 2011
Day 13: Today we were off to see the ruins that lie in Priene, Miletus, and Didyma. Before you read the little bit of history I can offer I would like to inform you that it was so ridiculously hot that I wasn't really listening to the little guide but was instead more focused on finding what little shade there was. If I miss some information and you would like to know a little more once again you can do a little research on your own. Priene was our first stop. Strategically, this was one of the most fortified sites used to fend of the Persians around 350 BC. The entire town was designed to face the south so it received more sun in the winter time and less sun during the summer months. To the ... read more
July 16th 2011
Day 12: Today was a day of relaxation. We got up and went for a little boat ride; I like boats. We had a minor setback where the tour voucher was left in the hotel room; but, that was easily fixed by our tour company vouching for us at the docks. When we first got on the boat we didn't know what to expect because our original tour to Paragum was cancelled and this trip to Samos was our replacement option. It was about an hour before the boat left port and Terri and I both had no trouble drifting off into our little dream worlds while waiting for the boat to begin moving. Once the boat was underway I decided to go up and order some tea. What I haven't mentioned is that we are ... read more
May 3rd 2011
Yesterday we were shown round properties, mostly from the outside and were pleasantly surprised by the view from party roof house. Not an uninterrupted picture postcard, no sea view (it is 7Km away) but you can see the castle, the street, some mountains and plenty of sky. It is a varied view. Couldn't get inside though as owner in Bodrum. In the afternoon we went to Kirazli where we were made very welcome and given good advice from people who live there and write blogs. On the way back I got a haircut and Ashley got a shave. I badly needed a haircut and I am happy with the result. We ate in again and took a few beers in Deniz bar which is where we usually go when we are here. Today I went and ... read more
May 1st 2011
We have arrived safely in Selcuk. The first night in Istanbul we had a few beers in Just Bar and at in Oceans 11. In the mornng we went to the Harley dealership where we discovered the prices of new Harleys in Turkey - unaffordable - even with the tax break. Second hand remains possible though, naturally, the dealerr was not so keen. We spent a very pleasant afternoon with Hassan - he will send us a carpet in Selcuk when we have an address. We spent another pleasant evening but did not eat in Oceans 11 as the portions are so huge. Took the bus to Izmir yesterday, travelling with Varan. We left Istanbul at 09:30, crossed the Marmara by ferry and arrived in Izmir at 18:30. We were offered drinks about every hour - ... read more
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April 22nd 2011
A short 5 hour drive up the coast to Selcuk and Atillas - our home for the next two nights. It was warm enough for tents so back to camping. Atillas is a great place run by Aussie-Turks and includes cocktails, good barbaques, and pool table. We're ten mins from Ephesus where we went for a wander today to see lots more ruins. In Selcuk town there's St Johns basicalla where John of John's gospel is buried. Also near by are the remains of two of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World - the Temple of Artemis in Selcuk, and the Mausoleum of Mausolus in Bodrum (originally Halicarnassus), both of which we didn't see :(... read more
March 27th 2011
Ephesus or Efes “City of the Gods” was once one of the most politically important cities of the Eastern Mediterranean and processes some of the best preserved ruins of the Greco – Roman era. We have traversed south, from Gallipoli, to Izmir and then east to the small town of Selcuk. The home of Efes and the Basilica of St John (St John is believed to have travelled to Efes with the Virgin Mary, where it is suggested this is where she lived out her remaining days). Oh and January is Camel Wrestling season - I’ll leave that one for you to figure out. From Gallipoli to Selcuk is about 6 hrs by bus. Selcuk is a pleasant town and here we are staying at Homeros Pension for 3 nights. A very friendly place with quite ... read more
October 2nd 2010
Today we travelled from Istanbul to Selçuk. We were origınally going to go by ferry and then train but having walked to the ferry termial yesterday to sort out tickets, we were advised that bus is a better option. Amazingly, we managed to book tickets and get ourselves to the right place and on the right bus!! I am impressed with the buses. They had TV screens, pıllows and came round with snacks and drinks throughout. Someone from our hotel met us at Izmır bus station to take us to Selçuk. Unfortunaely, Izmır bus station is huge! Findıng the guy was a task! Thankfully we had his mobile so we could phone him but it was still a challenge so İ had to hand my phone to someone who could speak Turkısh and explain where exactly ... read more
September 17th 2010
This morning we went to Kusadasi and wandered around for a bit. The bay is very beautiful. We also looked around the market and bought a kilo of figs. They are not first class but we have been told we got them cheap. Today we learned that, for approximately what we paid for the flat we are currently living in we can either buy a property in need of restoration and get it restored or buy an already restored property or buy a brand new high end apartment. I do not think that buying land and having it built upon is a good option for us. We saw two properties of great interest. One a completed conversion with a wonderful roof terrace and one a brand new apartment with a priceless view. Both are well within ... read more
September 15th 2010
Wednesday - today was a scary day. We got our tax numbers (this was very, very easy) and opened a bank account. That was scary. We didn't put a lot of money in it - that can be done later and in a less scary way from the UK. We are trying to arrange for stuff to be sent to us there which does seem possible though not entirely uncomplicated. We had cay then wandered around a couple of areas. The cay was good, and in a nice garden with water and ducks. The owners seem to have adopted a crow which is no longer bothered by people. The funniest bit was when it ran up behind a lady and pecked the back of her ankle. There is a great deal of building work going on ... read more
