Have you ever known someone who you really loved but if you spend too much time with them, they really start to annoy you? Well, that’s how we feel about Turkey.
There are some truly marvelous things about each port we visited, but each also came with the constant haggle over prices and the ever present feeling that someone is trying to rip you off. It’s difficult to relax and enjoy all the beauty with those conditions.
The first day, we docked in Bodrum. This is the type of port that you would see in a postcard. It was absolutely breathtaking. A little castle, constructed from the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, stands guard over the picturesque bay. The small beach area is lined with café’s that allow you to sit right at the water’s edge, due to the minimal tide of maybe 5 feet total. We enjoyed an afternoon drink and a dip in the Aegean Sea, the highlight of this charming town.
We were annoyed a bit on the walk back to the ship, having to politely decline numerous invitations to come shop in the local merchant’s stores. It was a slight inconvenience that was well worth the landscapes and charm of Bodrum.
However, port Kusadasi was another story. After a 15 minute walk through the local Bazaar (marketplace) we were ready to leave. It seemed like there were only three stores; carpets, jewelry, or leather goods, that just kept repeating themselves block after annoying block. It was a maze that kept you discombobulated and inundated with vendors trying to take your money any way they can....and at the highest price! Perhaps our word bizarre comes from their Bazaar…..it would make perfect sense!
The one highlight of Kusadasi was its proximity to Ephesus. The ancient city is probably the most complete and extraordinary archeological site in the world. The ruins, scattered over acres of land, begin to give you a glimpse at what life was like back then. It was impressive to walk down the same marble streets of this once great city that Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, St. John, and many other remarkable people once did. It is truly a place that you have to experience for yourself. You will be in awe of the remains…..and the city still has 70% left to be excavated!
We leave tonight for Santorini, and then the next day for Athens to conclude the cruise. It has been an experience of a lifetime to learn about the cultures of 12 plus cities, and to see the beauty of the Mediterrian Sea, where we were able to experience the meeting place of three continents and the very birthplace of history itself.
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