1st Tick - Ephesus, Turkey

My 1st tick off the list! Actually, a confession. This wasn't something on my radar, but I was going on a cruise and Jennifer said, we have to go to Ephesus. Quick check to the almighty (Google) and I said to myself, Jules, here is where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World lies, you better get your butt to this place and appease Jennifer's geekiness.

So on the 21 October, the good ship Island Princess docked into Kusadasi, Turkey (new country) and we got ourselves a tour to this magical place with the slightly shifty looking guide, Beshka. I don't think this was his name, but I asked Jennifer and this is what she said. I think she made it up 'cos I mentioned that my "fancy" shoes were purchased in Bershka. Sidetracked. Actually, Beshka was not bad and our chariot was a rather luxurious Mercedes van. Side note, my shoes have also held up nicely. 

Having failed miserably at my usual immaculate trip research, I didn't realise that I would be visiting here again in December (yep, a hastily planned trip awaits with my fellow Aussie travel bestie). But hey ho, I was here, so culture and history were calling. I must mention that culture and history come with a hefty price tag. Beshka, tour, van, lunch, obligatory overpriced rug shop stop was 40€. Actual entrance to Ephesus is another 40€. 

In we went. Originally an important city in Ancient Greece, it was built back in 10th century BC and was the place to be if you were the Jeff Bezos of the time (East/West trade was booming). So old. Very old. The site is large and there were lots of visitors slip sliding their way along the marble paths.

Somewhere here was the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The amphitheater was amazing, I can just imagine 24,000 Greeks stomping their sandals and calling for blood. The Library of Celsus? It was nice. I don't know who he was (neither does Jennifer, but he may have something to do with temperature), but we took pictures because everyone else was. 

In summary, there were lots of cats. Oh, I forgot to mention that the bathrooms were the place to be to catch up on the days news and gossip. The more constipated, the more informed you were. I will now read up on the topic in more detail for my upcoming visit.

Oh and because I do love a good list, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are:

1. Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt - the only one surviving 
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
3. Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Greece
4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
6. Colossus of Rhodes
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt