Traveling on the overnight bus from Istanbul to Selçuk we arrived at our hostel around 8:30 in the morning. We stayed at Atilla’s Getaway, a hostel recommended to us by Armenia PCVs, a bit outside of the town. It was perfect – quite, great views, a swimming pool, hammocks, and great food – for two days of relaxing. Exhausted from the trip since even when I manage to sleep on an overnight bus I never feel rested I spend the day reading, napping, and lounging by the pool. The hostel had a package deal where for like five dollars more a night you got breakfast (choice of 6 meals including french toast) and dinner. It was nice eating dinner together at picnic tables outside with all the fellow guests. We met a lot of travelers from Australia, where it seems to be a requirement to take 6 months to a year to travel, and an English teacher from Paris. I wish I had photos of the hostel to share with you, but I was having such a great time that I did not take any pictures.
On our second day in Selçuk we visited the historic site of Ephesus in the morning. First we took the hostel’s free transport to the bus station in town and then took a short minibus ride to the site. Ephesus was an ancient Greek city and later a Roman city. It was the second largest city of the Roman Empire for many years ranking behind Rome. It was home to the famed Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC) and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 410 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom, an important figure in the early Christian church. The Emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia cited in the Book of Revelations.
The Theatre
The Roman Library of Celsus
It is believed that the Gospel of John may have been written in Ephesus and the city was home to several 5th century ecclesiastical councils. The Church of Mary, an early 5th century AD church, is located at Ephesus although all that is left is the remnants of walls.
Ruins of the Church of Mary
On our walk back see the Church of Mary we were treated to a little Roman bit of the Roman times in Ephesus.
After two days in Selçuk we traveled by minibus to Kuşadası for one night to closer to the port. After checking into our hostel we walked around the market and stopped for a lunch of kebab. Later we toured to waterfront and enjoyed some stuffed clams and fried calamari at a waterfront restaurant by the port. This day happened to be my grandmother and great aunt's 75th birthday and my whole family and their friends (104 people to be exact) were at a birthday party. Luckily I was able to call them on Skype from the hostel and wish them both all the best and let them know how much I loved them on such a monumental birthday.
Kuşadası's Waterfront
Walking around town we stumbled upon an old castle that is now like a little public park.
Next Stop: Karlovasi - Samos Island, Greece
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