Day 3 Cannakale to Izmir April 8th

An early start to the day and we visited the site of the legendary city of Troy.  The archeological excavations are fairly recent 1880 from a discovery by a Germany.  The old ruins are buried under the ground, and at one stage this site held a commanding view over the Dardanelles Straits, observing the shipping into the area.  There were 9 separate periods of settlement, and include a replica of the Trojan horse commemorating the epic war machine constructed in 13th century BC

We left Troy and had a long drive along the Aegean coastal towns. Once again they seemed to be empty.  All the buildings featured solar hot water on the roof, and many buildings were unfinished.   Don't know if it was the economy or an over enthusiasm by developers.   Apparently during summer the place is packed with people. Quite a few water parks,  but Bondi it is not.

 The beaches are not very wide with little sand.  Lots of men outside in cafes, but no women around.

Finally we left the beach areas and went into a Sunni village, where we split up and had a traditional Turkish meal.  

Our hostess provided you hurt and tomato soup, dolomite,  cheese and spinach pastry, eggplant and tomato dish and a dessert.  I managed a few of the dishes. The house was two levels and small. Two bedrooms and grandma who seemed to live on the kitchen floor.  Her two children were at high school, beautiful looking daughter.  John tried the home made wine, 35% alcohol.  The house was up a very steep couple of hills, don't know how poor grandma handled it. 

Back on the bus and drove to the ancient spa and ruins of Asclepion in the ancient kingdom of Permagon.   After the walk up the steep slopes of the village I wasn't feeling all that great and did not do the walk. Any wonder as my feet had swollen like balloons.   I waited on a stone step, and when I got back to the bus I was minus my gold watch!  

Someone had a bonus for the day.

Then it was another long day to Izmir.  This was a much nicer place than Istanbul.  Much cleaner and only 4 million people. Very European and more women about. They are a major supplier of bridal outfits, not modern at all, huge full skirts, nothing that any of my girls would wear.

Our hotel was the Mövenpick and located next to the Harbour.  Our meals were mostly buffet style.