It is a fair distance between Bodrum and Izmir and our ship was not scheduled to arrive until 2.00pm, so we had a quiet morning. We went to a lecture about Troy (we were due to visit it in a couple of days time) and found it very interesting.

This afternoon's excursion was to the ancient site of Ephesus. We had been there two years previously and it was one of the highlights of that trip, but as we had seen it and had not seen Izmir (we docked at Kusadasi last time), we decided to explore the city instead. Susan, on the other hand, went on the excursion.

Armed with our maps, we set off on foot. (We could have used the shuttle bus, but felt that we needed a walk - all the good food and drink on the ship was beginning to have an effect!)

Izmir (formerly Smyrna) is located at the far end of the long and narrow Gulf of Izmir. It is the third largest city and the second largest harbour in Turkey and is also known as “The Pearl of the Aegean". The guide book states that it is a lively and pleasant modern city rising in tiers on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, with broad avenues, lined by palm trees.

 

Today was the first day of the Festival of Sacrifice, a four day holiday in Turkey. We had been advised that nothing much would be open, but we were surprised by just how quiet the city was. It was all but deserted.

As we walked along the seafront, we noticed several of these unusual looking water containers. The dogs seemed to like them, but then they did look a bit like toilets!

Our guide notes suggested that we pay a visit to Saint Polycarpe church, one of the oldest standing churches in Izmir. Unfortunately, it was closed and we didn't get to see the interior, which is apparently well worth seeing.

Despite the almost deserted streets, one man did manage to spot us and give us a card advertising his brother's leather shop in the bazaar - the only shop open in the bazaar today, he confidently told us!

This doorway looked like it might have led somewhere significant, but I now think it's just a local government office.

We found the Mosque, which, like everything else so far, was almost deserted.

Against Bruce's better judgement, Geoff dragged him back to the "Carsi Cafe"(!) to sample one of those gözlemes.

It was delicious!

 

Afterwards, we had to make a decision. Take the shuttle bus back to the ship from the meeting point in Konak Square, or retrace our steps and walk all the way back to the port. It was at least an hour's walk, but it was such a pleasant day and with people now much more in evidence, we decided that it might be interesting to meander back slowly on foot. It was the right decision.

 

We enjoyed seeing all the activity; from coffee sellers to men selling fresh muscles with lemon, to groups of family members taking photos of one another.

We were amused to find this note in our cabin when we returned to the ship. It was accompanied by a bottle of wine. We didn't know at that stage that the party was being held directly below us! Geoff put in his ear plugs and wasn't disturbed by it, but Bruce heard most of it. Nevertheless, the celebrations sounded like a lot of fun and at 1.00am precisely, the noise stopped!