Greetings from the port city of Kusadasi on Turkey’s west coast!  After visiting the Far East of Asia for the first time last September, I’m visiting the continent’s far Western end this year. 

Kusadasi is best known as the entry point for the ancient city of Ephesus, and that’s where I visited today. Taking a ship tour, we first visited the Church of St John in Selçuk. This church is notable in that it was named for John the Apostle who evangelized in this part of the world and it is the first Christian church which was built in the shape of the cross. John was exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of revelations. He later returned to the city and his tomb is located at the ruins of the church. 

Legend has it that John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus where she lived until her death in a small house in the forest atop a hill. Our next stop was that house, and on a special day, the day of Assumption when Christians believe she ascended to heaven. 

The traffic going up the hill showed that it was a special day, luckily our bus driver made a couple of slick moves and saved us some time. The house was rebuilt on what are believed to be its original foundations and has been turned into a shrine. We were able to walk through the shrine and stop at a spring which runs beneath it. A cool experience on a special day. 

Our final stop was what I’d came for – Ephesus. As we reached the ancient city, the temperature had soared to 102F, the hottest I’ve had so far on this adventure. The 2km walk through in the heat was totally worthwhile- one of the best ruins I’ve ever visited. 

Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor during late Roman and Byzantine times. It’s estimated that the city had 250,000 residents, as its massive amphitheater seats 25,000 and has in modern times hosted performances from Pavarotti and Sting. 

I love walking through ruins like Ephesus, Pompeii and the Acropolis because I can imagine myself walking down the streets as a resident thousands of years ago. Walking the same cobbles and marble steps as they did long ago transports me back in time. Ephesus has one of the most interesting well-preserved sights I’ve seen: the two-storied facade of the Library of Celsus

Other highlights included a fountain dedicated to Emperor Hadrian (where a couple was taking wedding pictures) and an ancient public toilet with many close-together seats (apparently it was a social thing back then). 

Come one, come all…

It was awesome to be at such a crossroads of so many eras of history. Another hot stop tomorrow as this adventure winds down – the Greek island of Rhodes, known for the Knights of Rhodes in medieval times.