The ancient wonder of Efes (Ephesus)

Yesterday, we traveled from Göreme to Selçuk and we've already noticed a difference between the two places. Our room at the Kiwi Pension is larger than our previous room but not as quaint. It's also noisy due to its location, which right next to the main washroom and the desk with the computer. They need to invest in a new computer because we can hear the computer's fan running from our room. Plus our beds are hard as rocks, perhaps it only feels that way after sleeping on soft heavenly beds prior to coming here.

We miss Göreme very, very much. We miss the peacefulness, the landscape, and Erol's breakfast. We definitely need to go back there.

Today, we went to the ancient site of Efes, 3km outside of Selçuk, and boy, was it ever hot outside. After studying this city and it's architecture, it was fabulous to finally see it in person. It's hard to picture the Romans walking down Marble street heading towards the stadium, the Library of Celsus, various temples, and to their houses. The detail and workmanship is incredible and I cannot fathom how they were able to build such magnificient structures and carve such wonderful friezes. It truly is a lost art. After visiting Efes, we went to the museum and saw sculptures of Artemis, Eros, Marcus Aurelius, Augustus and Livia. I guess I am still in awe and cannot give a better description.

We found library jobs here at the Library of Celsus. We may be here for quite some time as it needs a lot of work.

The theatre, which can seat up to 25,000 people:

Tonight's dinner, the Open House Restaurant specialty, the Open House Kebab (beef, chicken, lamb, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers) and it was delicious:

Tomorrow we are going to Pamukkale/Hierapolis.

Nina's travel tip:

• Bring an extra suitcase or make sure to leave a lot of room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

What will .50 Turkish lira get you?

The use of a public bathroom:

Today, we did a day tour of Cappadocia with an American couple and a Taiwanese couple. We visited a pottery place, valleys, underground city, and we did a 3km hike in Meksinder Valley. The landscape is magnificent with its smooth lines, curves, flat surfaces and unique formations. Our tour took us to different valleys so we could view different shapes called "fairy chimneys".


We went to an underground city, which was used for protection during times of war, and was also used by the Christians as a hiding place from the Romans. Up to 5,000 people could live in the underground city. For a defense mechanism, they used a 1000 lb round stone that had a hole in the centre and these were placed at the end of each tunnel. When the intruders entered the tunnels, they would push these stones in place, then poke them through the centre with knives and swords. The underground city now has four levels, the others have eroded or collapsed over time. There are many twists and turns in the tunnels and are never really sure what level you are on. They were advanced in their workmanship wıth creating only one ventilation tunnel and this would ventilate all of the levels. There was one main kitchen, with cold storage, and there were also a couple of wineries. The men had it easy as they sat back, drank coffee or tea and played backgammon, while the woman made wine, cooked, and took care of the kids.



Nina bought a silk and cotton rug today at Sultan Carpets. It's very beautiful and of course it's blue.


Nina's Travel Tip:

• Don't get drunk before a day long tour.

Do you know where your daughters are?

Finally, after a 6 hour flight to London, 4 hour stop over, 4 hour flight from London to Istanbul, a 2 hour stop over, a 1 hour flight from Istanbul to Kayseri, and a 1 hour drive to Goreme, we have arrived. To describe Goreme would be "other worldly". It's peaceful, laid-back, and has great hospitality. So far we've been invited two bbqs, and a Turkish dance/dinner. We've decided to go to the bbq above the carpet shop.

The food! The incredible, wonderful food. Where to begin? Um, how about with breakfast. I have never eaten sweeter, fresher tomatoes in my life and the bread was simply to die for. Tomorrow we will try the olive spread and hot pepper spread on the bread. There were raisins, apricots, olives, feta cheese with sesame seeds, and another two kinds of cheese. The one kind of cheese went well with the watermelons. We've had lots and lots and lots of regular and apple flavour tea from a street vendor, carpet shop, hotel, a lady's home, and the restaurant.

Meet Erol, from Taskonak/Kelebek Hotels:

For Lunch we sat on floor cushions and lounged away the afternoon drinking tea, eating Gozleme (quesadillas) and chatted with the locals.

Today, we walked to the Open Air Museum which consists of rock-cut churches that were built in the 11th century. These churches are no longer used, but show fantastic workmanship in the frescoes. Most of the frescoes are red ochre and some blue colouring.

Nina's travel tips:

• Be careful of the pedal next to the toilet because it does not flush the toilet as Nina found out the hard way. Do not stand directly in front of it because water shoots out directly at you even though it's meant to wash your feet.
• When entering or exploring caves make sure not to stand up too quickly. The stone is hard.

Nina and Trixie's Wild Turkish Adventure

May 27th - Day 0: Leave Ottawa to Heathrow to Istanbul
May 28-30th - Day 1-3: Arrive in Turkey; explore Goreme (Cappadocia)
May 31-June 2nd - Day 4-6: Goreme to Selçuk; explore Ephesus and travel to Pamukkale/Hierapolis
June 3-5th - Day 7-9: Selçuk to Bozcaada; float around the Aegean
June 6-8th - Day 10-12: Bozcaada to Istanbul; visit the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar
June 9-12th - Day 13-16: Goreme (Cappadocia)
June 12th - Day 16: Return to Istanbul
June 13th - Day 17: Leave Istanbul – Frankfurt - Ottawa

Ottawa Landscapes

Old City Hall

Notre Dame Basilica