Day 4 from Izmir to the ruins Ephesus then to Pamukkale April 9th Wednesday

Today proved to be an interesting day indeed, getting used to 7.30 am starts, up at 5.30 bags out by 7.00 and leave by 8.00.

We drove south of Izmir and as there were 3 cruise ships and 6000 tourists all heading for the same ruins as we were visiting, we stopped at a carpet weaving factory for a fascinating morning.

The factory was a family owned business and our host Ashley was born In Wooloongong.   He showed us the methods used for making wool silk and fine cotton carpets.  Forget all those ads that you see in the newspapers and TV none of them are offering true Turkish carpets as they allude to.

Some carpets take 2 or more years to make. They spin their own silk, and grow their own silkworms.   Each strand is double knotted, and the feel and colour of the silk carpets is amazing.  The carpets actually change colour a bit like Thai silk.

The silk is spun in the old fashioned way a bit like we saw in China

Spinning

John opened the purse strings 

This carpet is silk and wool, and will be a wall hanging. He calls it the family heirloom.  Had to make sure the bank approved a credit card purchase from Turkey as we didn't let them know beforehand.  Morning tea wine and uzo. 

Then it was on to Ephesus for a very fascinating walk through the ancient ruins.

I guess I had heard the name before, but when you consider that these are thousands of years old they hold the elements of a modern day city. They had a sewage system of pipes leading to the sea, and water collection. The men's toilet area would pass easily in some current civilizations. 

The male toilets complete with sewerage system, all in marble

Quite amazing this was built between 41 and 11th
It had been partly restored many pieces are in museums over the world.

Some restoration as earthquakes have destroyed the buildings

By the time we finished the crowd was getting large again.  Lunch was at the restaurant outside the entrance, this time we had a burger Turkish style. For me 

I enjoyed the iced tea.  John's coke very watered down compared to home.  Lots of stalls and touts, who would know if anything is genuine or not.  I bought a book for 8 lire when the same thing inside was 22 lire.   The books have great photos in them.

Off again to the Virgin Mary's house. 

Genuine or not you can be the judge.  The story goes that a nun had a dream one night and told the priest about it. He remembered it for a long time and somehow he got wind of that some villagers in the area believed that the mother of God lived in the remote hills.  Later the priest visited and would not confirm nor deny the story, but it matched the vision of the nun. The church did p a yellow for a dwelling, and if it is true then the whole of the biblical stories would have to change.  Anyway  it would take a year for them to walk up the mountain, but the view to the sea is excellent. So we had a quick look.

From there we drove to Pamukkale.