Blogs from Izmir, Aegean, Turkey, Middle East - page 3

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Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir May 27th 2012

We journey to Ephesus, which has the reputation as one of the greatest ruined cities in the western world. It started its existence as a Greek city in 1000BC and in its later history became the Romans' main port on the Aegean. The city played an important role in the spread of Christianity with Paul being a visitor and it is said that the Virgin Mary spent her last days nearby. The highlights of the visit were the walk down the Arcadian Way with the magnificant Library of Celsus as its focal point. At the end of the walk is the impressive Amphitheatre which overlooks the path to the harbour on the Aegean where it is said Paul arrived after the crucifixion As well as a visit to the ruined city we went to the House ... read more
The Odeon
The Arcadian Way
John and Lynne

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir May 8th 2012

We have now crossed the Ionian Sea in to the Aegean Sea. The Aegean is named after king Aegeus whose adopted son Theseus went off to fight the Minotaur. The problem, not for Theseus or the Minotaur (OK, Theseus wanted him dead so I'd say that was a slight worry if you were a Minotaur) is that all these Greek and Turkish mythological names are playing havock with my spell checker!! Every other word seems to be coming up with a red underline!!! Known to the Greeks as Smyrna, Izmir is Turkey's 3rd largest city and is sprawled around the head of the finest natural harbour on the Aegean coast. It was founded in the 3rd millennium BC and reached its peak in 10th century BC. The poet Homer was born in Smyrna during this period. ... read more
A floral arrangement in Izmir
Newsworthy! 'Green algae attacks Izmir!!'
Konak camii and Clock Tower, Izmir

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir October 31st 2011

I was very excited to be visiting Turkey as I've always heard it has so much history and beautiful buildings, and because it was my first middle eastern/Muslim country to visit. We were stopping here on our tour of the Mediterranean. Izmir isn't the most recognized or visited place in Turkey but it's in the top 3 biggest cities and it's one of the main ports to reach Turkey from by boat/ship. I was anxious to see what the people were like and I imagined they'd all be dressed in older fashioned clothes that cover their skin and face, this assumption comes from the fact that they are a Muslim country. I had no idea that my views about what Turkish people wear was going to turn into a funny travel story but it ended up ... read more
Izmir Turkey
Izmir Turkey
Turkish Belly Dancer

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir May 24th 2011

The Adventure Begins Well, I have been in Turkey for a little over four days now and have been going pretty much non stop. I arrived at 4pm Friday the 21st of May where Suna, my boss Hakan’s daughter, picked me up at the airport and drove us to downtown Istanbul. We went to a posh little area called Bebek which is right on the Bosporus canal. Hakan would be embarrassed for me to tell you that the first thing I did upon arriving in Turkey was to go to a Starbucks, but such is life. It had a lovely view and I sat and enjoyed one of the best lattes I have ever had with Suna and her cousin. Later we met up with Hakan and had dinner at a restaurant nearby. After that Hakan ... read more

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir November 16th 2010

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir October 18th 2010

Thank you Turkey Today, I am sick. Achy, sore throat kind of sick. Maybe because our tour is over? I don’t know. Currently, we are in Imzir. One of the known oldest urban settlements in the world with over 3,500 years of history. (not swag) This was to be our shopping stop, our vacation from our vacation. And I would get sick. Figures. Don’t worry tho, I have still shopped. I didn’t have to come all the way to Turkey to learn about kindness, but that is what I have found here with the Turkish people. I am overwhelmed with the kindness of the men here, something I didn’t expect. A couple of examples that I experienced today which illustrates my whole two weeks in Turkey experience. Cay. Did I tell you Turkish tea, Cay is ... read more
sunset
find waldo
fashion

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir October 17th 2010

Tour Recap What a Rick Steve’s Tour is like, in my humble experience on the 13 day Turkey Tour, or as I like to call it, Turkey Trot. Our group is 28 people. Our tour guide is from Turkey and well educated. The tour members are range in age from 40- 79. Yes, the oldest is 79 but she has no problem keeping up and carrying her own luggage for blocks (a requirement for Rick Steve’s tours.) A typical tour day starts at 6:30- 7:00 for breakfast, then on the bus at 8:00. See a site in the morning. At the site, we are not lead around by the guide with a big umbrella. No, he gives us an orientation to the site; the significance of the site and tells us a time to meet back. ... read more
I'm cold
our fancy room
group dinner

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir September 21st 2010

Izmir day 2 The hotel breakfast was adequate. Bread, cheese, tomatoes, boiled eggs, olives and so on so pretty much the regular. No coffee, but we fixed that soon enough. Izmir archaeological museum is nothing spectacular, but pleasant enough. There were a few nice pieces, the mosaic was good. Most of the really good stuff from Izmir province is in Istanbul, London and Berlin. The rest is in Selcuk. There is a Hellenistic bronze of an athlete running - probably the best piece in the museum. After the museum we grabbed a taxi up to the Kale (castle). The views were great. But thre is not much of the castle left. They are excavating the cisterns as there used to be a complex water distribution system. We walked back down as there are steps so you ... read more
Ashley in the Kale
Izmir from the Kale
Ashley is in the agora

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir September 20th 2010

Izmir The train from Selcuk to Izmir was pleasant enough and terminates in central Izmir unlike the bus which terminates some miles out at the Otogar. Izmir is hot. Car and truck fumes add to the sense of heat. Its a busy modern city with all the usual confusion that can bring. We had simit and some very, very nice cake from a baker (carrot and walnut cake - just moist enough and not too sweet). We found a locally made kitchen range of ovens and hobs. This included a combination electric and gas hob, the whole range seemed to be modular, and looked to be akin to NEF stuff in quality. The museums are closed on Monday The bazar was neat. Staying near Basmane train station has its drawbacks. There are a few bars open ... read more

Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Izmir April 8th 2010

After half a days driving yesterday I decided to have a relax day. Catch up on my email, finally write something in this blog and just chill. Went to the barber today, I had enough of lookıng like a muppet every time I took my helmet off. Tomorrow Antalya, see ıf I can catch some beach time. Planning to drive along the coast, it´s goıng to be a long drive but I thınk a beautiful one.... read more
After the barber




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