8th April, Kusadasi and Ephesus

I write in a force-9 gale, on our way for Piraeus tomorrow morning.  I am ‘island hopping’; as the wind is from the north, I am trying to stay south of the numerous Greek Islands, here in the Aegean Sea.  The theory is that the islands provide a lee (of sorts) from the large swell, which is sweeping down the north, hence we pass the islands to the south.

I managed a rather hurried post yesterday, while we were in Kusadasi and I will start with some photos of the place.  Then, of course, we had our ‘Special event’ of the Grand World voyage at Ephesus, the ancient city renowned for its historic connections to St. Paul and Mary Magdalene; those photos will follow.

It was chilly, in the 50’s F, around 11 Celsius and wrapping up was the norm.  The town is full of shops, leather-wear is predominate, however one can buy anything, jewelry, watches, bags, you name it. they’ve got it.

If one can't walk along the pier, there's always these to ride on

If one can’t walk along the pier, there’s always these to ride on

We park, quite close to the town

We berth quite close to the town

The fort, now an hotel, was once surrounded by water and guarded the hinterland; it is 200 yards from the sea now

The fort, now a hotel, was once surrounded by water and guarded the hinterland; it is 200 yards from the sea now

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Shopping galore

Shopping galore

A view across the Fishing harbour

A view across the Fishing harbour

The Turkish and Port Authority flags

The Turkish and Port Authority flags

Then, around 4:30, the guests started buses to take them to Ephesus, about 30 minutes away by road.  

On arrival in the car park, one then has to pass the numerous stalls, selling bric-a-brac and souvenirs.

Karen, Linda Kruse and President of HAL,Orlando Ashford get dangerously close to a large lump of ice-cream.

Karen, Linda Kruse and President of HAL,Orlando Ashford get dangerously close to a large lump of ice-cream.

So, a walk along a cobbled road, towards Ephesus itself.  Guests have two venues for the reception and buffet, before proceeding to the Amphitheatre for an evening of Classical music.

On the walk, we pass Cleopatra and Anthony...

On the walk, we pass Cleopatra and Anthony…

Protected by the Roman cohorts....

Protected by the Roman cohorts….

We make our way towards the library area, one of the reception venues.

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Stein and Orlando, waiting for guests and deep in conversation

Stein and Orlando, waiting for guests and deep in conversation

Some Chamber music as an accompaniment.

Some Chamber music as an accompaniment.

Opposite the library are the ruins of the ‘house of pleasure’, the brothel.  Such is Roman ingenuity that one could visit the establishment and use an underground stairway, this took you to the library  and one could walk out of its doors, no-one the wiser .  😉 

A sign in the pavement, directions to the brothel

A sign in the pavement, directions to the ‘House of Pleasure’

The Guests arrived in this wondrous location and spent the next 3 hours eating, sipping wine and wandering around this magnificent spectacle.  I, of course, went wandering with my camera…….

Anothe view of the library facade

Another view of the library facade

Guests and Officers arriving

Guests and Officers arriving.

Karen, Stein Kruse, Linda Kruse, Orlando Ashford

Karen, Stein Kruse, Linda Kruse, Orlando Ashford

Henk Mensink, our Hotel Director, Gerald Bernhoft, Moi, Stein, Orlando.

Henk Mensink, our Hotel Director, Gerald Bernhoft, Moi, Stein, Orlando.

This section is under rebuild

This section is under rebuild

Chefs, busy in the background

Chefs, busy in the background

The alternative guest reception area, the Amphitheatre in the background

The alternative guest reception area, the Amphitheatre in the background

The aAmphitheatre itself

The  Amphitheatre itself

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A view of the Library facade from the side.

Darkness slipping in, a wonderful time for photography, how could I resist?

 

Guests at the reception near the Amphitheatre

Guests at the reception near the Amphitheatre

The reception, at sunset

The reception, at sunset

The Amphitheatre, the last of the sun's rays turning the stones red.

The Amphitheatre, the last of the sun’s rays turning the stones red.

The Library facade

The Library facade

Another, taken from the side

Another, taken from the side

Peeking through an arch

Peeking through an arch

Then, as a glorious finale, we climbed the steps to the Amphitheatre for a recital by the Aegean Chamber Orchestra.  There have been only 2 concerts in the past 3 years here, one of them being Elton John and the other ‘Sting’.

Stein and Orlando address the audience

Stein and Orlando address the audience

Dancers start the evening

Dancers start the evening

The Orchestra

The Orchestra

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Guests, wrapped up for the chill, enjoy the music.

Guests, wrapped up for the chill, enjoy the music.

And so, at midnight we sailed for Piraeus, a day at sea and, as I wrote earlier, a rough one, winds are up to 55-60 kts now; the Greek ferry service, which ply between all the islands, are shut down and the only company we have is a Greek naval destroyer, which seems to be enjoying itself, cavorting around at high-speed, oblivious to the weather.

 

7 thoughts on “8th April, Kusadasi and Ephesus”

  1. Hi Jonathan and Karen,
    Ephesus is such a wonderful place, and it must have been a fabulous setting for your evening. Great photos. Love S & P xx

  2. Hello Capt Mercer,
    You have really set a high bar for blogs. Love to read Capt Albert and you blogs each day for the nautical comments and travel interest. As a retired naval architect and marine engineer can relate to the technical comments. Last year visited Ephesus, Istanbul and Athens (on a competitor brand) and my wife and I were truly amazed. We have already booked a voyage back to this area on the Koningsdam next April and look forward to another amazing voyage. Keep of the wonderful blogs and pictures.

    Norman Hammer

  3. Hello Captain. Today as I read your post, I found myself saying “Wow” and after viewing a picture I would often mutter “Wow”. Classical music at Ephesus is such a very special event, for those of us who were not there I hope it was recorded. I will check the HAL Website. Thank you again for sharing.

  4. Captain Jonathan,
    What a wonderful venue for the celebration! Thanks for sharing your great photographic images of what I am sure was a very memorable evening. Hope to seas calm for you.
    Cheers!

  5. Hi Captain Jonathan,

    Thanks again for the magnificent photographs , especially of Ephesus.

    It must truly have been a magical evening in the ruins of the library and
    amphitheatre enjoy a meal and music. Glad that the weather was good although chilly.All the best.

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