Ephesus in Selcuk, Turkey

The streets of Ephesus were paved with marble, welcoming the likes of people like Cleopatra in 33 BC. While they were in Ephesus, Cleopatra ( assisted by her lover Mark Antony) spent time planning the fall of Octavian, the nephew of Julius Caesar.

Of course Octavian won the war and drove Cleopatra and Antony back to Alexandria.

I spent time at the Ephesus site, just 10 minutes outside of Secuk 2049 years later trying to take pictures while avoiding the crowds of school children learning their history lessons!  They are so lucky to have a site like Ephesus to visit, where they can get hands on experience.

In fact the site is still "touchable.". People can run their lands over blocks of marble that are centuries old. 

Ephesus is also an active archaeologist site that shouldn't be missed if you are traveling anywhere near Selcuk, Turkey.  The size alone is phenomenal and as you meander down the hills you really get a sense of what people would do to stay entertained centuries before.  There is a theatre and library, bath houses, shops, etc.

Judy, my friend I was traveling with, suggested I do a little bit of pre-reading or visit the Ephesus Museum before I went to the site, which I did.

There are audio machines to listen to (available in different languages) but better to get a guide and support the local economy.  The site is expensive to enter compared to others (40 Turkish lira - equivalent to $20 CDN) but well worth the money.

One of the things that is interesting when one travels is meeting other travelers from all parts of the world.  One of the people staying at our hotel was there for the weekend to see Ephesus.  He was considering it for his next project.

Jean-Pierre van Lin is the Managing Director of LIVE:TOUR5D, an interactive experience at historical sites.  In the middle of June, the company will be presenting the Battle of Waterloo "live" in Belgium.  The concept for visual and tactile learners, especially learning history, was amazing for me. Check out his site at www.livertour5d.com

I met many other wonderful people during my time in Selcuk too.  There was Ilker and Selma who own the Nazar Hotel, hidden away in a local neighbourhood.  Selma is one of the best historical guides from Istanbul to Pannukale.  Ilker is passionate about what is happening in his country right now and was interesting to talk with just to get a sense of life in modern Turkey.  The hotel site is www.nazarhotel.com

Just a note - the pool is only open from June 1st to November 30th.


Another place I would like to mention is Celsus Ceramic, a wonderful Turkish Ceramic and Jewelry store in the village part of Selcuk. It is run by a young couple, Gulcin and Yasin.

Gulcin is well known for her ceramic painting and Jewelry making. You will really get a real sense of the Turkish hospitality at the shop and also fair prices, especially if you are just in port for the day on a cruise ship stop.

Please give the business to the locals, not to the cruise ships who have built their own huge shops to take cruise ship passengers to.  Get into the heart of safe Selcuk and support the local economy!

If you happen to be in port on a Saturday, take in the Selcuk market to buy local cotton, one of the best and safest markets in Turkey.  It's easy to get from the Kusadasi port to Selcuk, a 15 minute ride away by taxi or dolmuses (the local mini bus).

There are also many local restaurants close by to experience the wonderful Turkish cuisine.  Thete's the TAT restaurant, also in the village or a couple of other spots just up the road that are great.  You will never starve in Turkey!

 At the end of the day, anywhere you go in Turkey, you can take in an amazing sunset. Whether it's over the ruins or over the hills or over the ocean, It's beautiful!