April 20-22
Lorraine, Gary and I flew to Izmir and then 45 minute drive to the town of Ephesus. Driving through the countryside we felt the immediate change from crazy and bustling istanbul. Our hotel was right across the street from st.john's church which supposedly where he was buried. RIght in front of the hotel was a big nest with storks. We learnt later that this is a migration route for them so they are commonly seen throughout the town. Strange but I did not see any carrying newborn babies! Hotel bella was such a quaint hotel. It's family owned with different family members running different parts of the business - the two hotels, the rooftop restaurant, the olive groves, the rug store next door etc. We met the most fantastic guide name savash. At first I thought he was strange with his enthusiastic manner. Alway smiling and laughing. He was proud to tell us that he just had brain surgery (tumour) a few months ago AND he is has been a husband for a week now. We chatted over lunch and learned about his american bride who happened to live in scottsdale! what a small world! He is an adventurer and has done litterally everything. Because of what has happened to him he is so happy to be alive and acts like it.
Our main goal for this leg was to see the ancient greek city of Ephesus. The city was built in 550BC and was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It took us over 2 hours to walk through the ruins. This was so much better than the forum in rome and the ruins in athens. The place was so big you did not feel the crowds at all. I loved the red poppies that seemed to be everywhere! So used to seeing yellow poppies so this was a treat
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