Ancient Turkey....

It's going down, I'm yelling timber
You better move, you better dance
Let's make a night you won't remember
I'll be the one you won't forget

- Timber, Pitbull & Ke$ha

Izmir welcomed us with the most beautiful sunset. The water was crystal blue and warm breaze on our skin. 

As we walked along the coast and breathed in the sea air it was so wonderful to be away from the cold, grey London I love so much!

Izmir is a beautiful town to relax in. 

A few shops, walk the beautiful coast, stare at the clock tower and the mosque and just slow down time. 

We awoke ate breakfast and headed for our 9am bus to Ephesus. I could barely contain my excitement on the way. I was so eager to see this ancient Biblical town. To walk streets Paul would have walked and even visit a church set up by him.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

John 19:26-27

Our first stop was Meryem Ana (House of the Virgin Mary). This is a small chapel set up for the early Christians built originally in early AD. It is also believed to be the last known home of Jesus’ Mother, Mary and St. John. John’s Tomb is located also in Ephesus.  

We then continued to the ancient ruins of Ephesus dating back to the 10^th century BC.

It was another, truly amazing and historical place. To see the ruins of things built so long ago, it truly was a humbling and astonishing site. I so enjoyed closing my eyes and imagining these streets and buildings filled with people trading, selling, talking and living their daily lives! 

Oh how ancient history excited me! 

Ancient toilets don't excite me quite so much though! 

Ephesus even has it owns local beer.

As all good places should!  

After our day in Ephesus we arose at 5am for our 6am bus ride to Canakkale. Our first of 3 long bus rides this one lasting 5½ hours.  We were saved by a lovely old man on the same bus who spoke both English and Turkish very well and was able to help us communicate to the driver and get off at the right stop. He even aided us with advice on the city and how to get from the bus stop to our hotel. He was a God send - literally!!! 

Canakkale was another beautiful costal city on the Asian side of Turkey. 

It had a beautiful fishing village feel to it and leant itself to more time walking along the coast and sitting under the sun and staring out across the sea.

That night we ate a small seafood restaurant waited on by a quirky English-speaking local.

We both had fresh, delicious Sea Bass! 

It was my first time having to fillet a fish and the kid done good, even if I say so myself! 

 Canakkale was a beautiful town, with many small stores to look in, tasty cafes and filled with cool bit and bops.

Ally and I caught a ferry across to the other side of the Island where an old fort, Fort Namazgah, stood.

We met some fun characters in town…

…and even bumped into the horse they used in the 2004 movie Troy!

 T.R.O.Y – our next destination and only a 30minute drive from Canakkale. 

We were both very excited to see this ancient town to relieve the tale of the Trojan horse 

and

to see the Trojan horse standing in Troy!

Though the ruins are not well maintained the detailing on the stones were still breathtaking. 

Plus, 

you can't help feeling astonished walking through a city founded in 3000BC and abandoned in 500AD. 

I so loved my time seeing the costal and ancient side of Turkey. The next morning we crossed the border from Asia and landed in Istanbul - the European Turkey, but that's a story for another blog! :p 

Peace, Love and Some Cheeky Touching, 

Joey!