26 and 27 April – Kocao Ba Yoru to Pamucak and Ephesus (Turkey)

Leaving early in the morning of 26th we headed for Pamucak and a campsite on the beach. On the way I noticed that many of the hotels had large water slides and there were a number of oil refineries about the bay. Almost every house and building had solar water heaters on the roofs and where there were blocks of flats where up to forty panels could be seen on the roof. There were many new houses and flats being built and of a number of stone quarries seen in the hills.

Typical view as we drove through the area

After a BBQ on the beach it was lights out at 2100 hours, a fairly normal bedtime for us now.


Our campsite at Pamucak

On the morning of 27th we were up very early (and with the tents covered in a very heavy dew) with somewhat bad grace as some felt that there was no need for us to be up early as we were only to go to Ephesus, a fifteen minute ride away. We had been told that it was better to be there early before the hordes of tourists arrived at about 1000 hours. This proved to be so correct as we were able to walk through the site before many tourists arrived so were able to take some fantastic photographs without hardly anyone in them at all. All in all it was a fantastic place and I really enjoyed looking around the site. We actually went in through the top gate, walked to the bottom gate taking as many photographs as possible before the masses arrived then were able to wander back and really have a look at the site.

Ephesus was first founded by the Amazons about 1040 BC and because of the Temple of Artemis became one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the 7th century BC. Alexander the Great ruled from 334  BC from when it was known as the Golden Age in the history of Ephesus. After the death of Alexander the city was annexed to the Roman Empire and became the capital of the province with a population of 200,000.

The Goths levelled the city to the ground in 262 AD when the Great Temple of Artemis was plundered. After this assault the city never regained its power or splendour.

Christianity arrived in Ephesus with the apostles St. John and St. Paul with the result that goddess Artemis was replaced by the Virgin Mary to whose name the first church in history was established in this land.

State Agora area for social, religious and political meetings.

The private Varius Baths

Odeion, Bouleuton, Concert Hall and Council Chamber.

The Prythaneion used for political debates, religious ceremonies and reception parties.

Curetes Street, paved in white marble.

From Curtes Street looking at the Celsus Library

The Celcus Library Temple of Hadrian

One of the statues at the Celcus library the four of which denotes virtue, knowledge, virtue and intelligence. The one shown is of  Sophia (virtue). 

The Celsus Library

Mosaics on the street outside the houses of the rich

The entrance to the Trajan Fountain

A sarcophagus

Unknown carving seen in a sealed area

The Temple of Hadrian

The Marble Road, the main route of Ephesus.

The Grand Theatre initially used for plays, musical performances and meetings then for gladiatorial and animal contests.

The performers entrance to the Grand Theatre

The Harbour Gymnasium

In  Harbour Street leading to the Harbour Gate

I am smiling!

The baptismal pool at the Church of the Virgin Mary 

The Church of the Virgin Mary

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and catching up on washing, oneself and clothes! A number of us stayed up late, (bed before midnight), just talking and having a drink. There was some talk of 100 shots in 100 minutes (beer only) and there were one or two the worse for wear the next morning. Although the days were very warm the evenings and nights were quite chilly, enough for us to wear coats to keep warm.