Ozlem.
Turkiye 7th -22nd May 2007
Denizli, Izmir and Antalya - Part Five
After having a fun time in Pamukkale, i met up Ozlem, one of Necla`s best friends. Ozlem, a smart and charming girl was working at HSBC under her university internship programme. We walked to a recreational park near Pamukkale University. It was a great time even we just sitting at the park chatting. Our topics consisted of politic, economy, social, education and so on. FuFu travel is not only sightseeing, relaxing, city exploring, food or culture but communicate and mix up with the local as well as experience the real local life also.
Ozlem invited us to have dinner at her house. I was famished after talking and also lack of lunch. When we arrived Ozlem`s house, i was ready to attack the table. But her parents kept asking me questions. You know how it is when you are so hungry and you need to answer the questions and then after you eat a bit, you feel full? Anyway i still managed to eat most of the food i liked. Yogurt is always my favourite. Pickled cherry with syrup was way too good! Yummy!
The next day, Necla and i went to Izmir by Pamukkale express bus. We then went to the popular archaeological site lies three kilometres south of the Selcuk district of Izmir. Ephesus was an Ionian city in ancient Anatolia. The ruin of Ephesus are favourite international and local tourist attractions. If you typed Ephesus in Google, you will get sites which all starts off with `Ephesus, the best preserved classical city on the Mediterranean`.
The Harbour Street.
Even Lonely Planet starts off with the same line. But it is true. It is an awesome sight to see all the preserved buildings of Roman times now in the 21st century. It was a hot, hot day. First view of the city were the remains of the Harbour Street, a marble paved road which was the most celebrated street at that time. I bet it was a grand sight during its heyday with shops,baths and streetlights along its sides and water and sewerage channels beneath.
The marble paved road.
One of the most photographed buildings in Ephesus and i am sure many of you may have seen it before either in pictures, magazines etc is the Library of Celsus. It was built by Gaius Julius Aquila to commemorate his father, Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the proconsul of the Province of Asia during 2C AD. Celsus is buried inside the library.
The Celcius Library
The Gate of Augustus.
The Temple of Hadrian.
The Temple of Hadrian was built in Corinthian style and later,renovated and was dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian. There are beautiful friezes with scenes depicting the foundation of the city and a statue of Medusa.
Close up.
Hercules Gate.
This gate is easily recognized by the two carvings of Hercules which depict him wearing a lion's skin. Constructed in 4th century AD, it was made narrow to prevent wheel vehicles from entering the city.
The site is large, in fact, Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins East of the Mediterranean. Only an estimated fifteen percent has been excavated. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city`s original splendour, and the names associated with the ruins are evocative of its former life. The Roman theater dominates the view down Harbour Street which leads to the long silted-up harbour. It is still used for performances nowadays amidst protests. It was orginally a Hellenistic period building which was later restored by the Romans. It can seat up to twenty five thousand people.
The Roman Theater at Ephesus.
The Odeon.
This Odeon was built in the 2nd century AD and is one of the last few buildings you will pass as you head back. Looks like a mini version of the Roman theater, it was used for theatrical performances as well as a Senate House.
The souvenir shop in front of the exit.
We missed the performance telling the story of Ephesus during Roman Empire period. Luckily, i still managed to take pictures with some of the performers. They were very friendly. After that we moved back to the city, Izmir - the third most populous city of Turkey and the country`s largest port after Istanbul.
Izmir`s famous clock tower.
One of the more pronounced elements of Izmir harbour is the Clock Tower,a beautiful marble tower that rests in the middle of the Konak pier standing 25 meters in height. The tower features four fountains which are placed around the base in a circular pattern, and the columns are inspired by North African themes.
Izmir Port, seen from Konak Pier.
Konak Pier.
Cafes along the historic Pasaport Quay.
We sat down.
Then we had a cup of cay each and enjoyed the view of Izmir port.
Broadwalk at the pier.
Heart of the city.
I saw a special sandwiches with green chilli, tomatoes and cheese sold everywhere and curiously i bought one. Well, it was a strange combination but not bad afterall. I guess it must be Izmir specialty.
Turkish authentic style of breads.
I bought this, tasted not bad.
Now, Izmir is the official candidate to host the Universal Expo 2015 under the theme, New Routes to a Better World/Health for All.
Historic street at Alsancak neighbourhood.
Streets of the historic Alsancak neighbourhood must not be missed. Here you can enjoy the various works of architecture thought to had been built in the city during the Ottoman period. The streets were completely paved with stones, and paved streets became preponderant in the city.
The Bazaar.
So the next day, we were heading down Antalya, to one of Necla friend`s hometown, Kalkan and stay at her house.
Breakfast at the bus station.
Although it was a seven-hour-journey to Kalkan, the scenery along the way to Antalya was simply amazing. It was too perfect for a breathtaking bus journey with a good bus service.
We changed bus to Kalkan in Fethiye.
We arrived Kalkan at 8pm. Dinner was served on the table when we were brought to M`s house by her father. Whoa, fries was prepared as M`s mother afraid i might not get used to Turkish food. What a thoughtful mother. And because i look skinny, piraf was specially added by the host mother. Later on, fruits and tea were served up too. We called it a night as soon as i finished taking shower.
Port of Kalkan.
What a splendid authentic home dinner.
