Day 24, 4th May 2026 Selçuk and Ephesus

 Today we see Efes ( Ephesus), the old town protected by Artemis back in the day.

We survived the night at Alibabas house and actually had a good sleep despite being in a double bed with a single doona cover identifying as a double sheet, I digress. 

The early start was a bit delayed as we were ready for breakfast by 8 as told and thought it worked well with our plans but not to be,  no one turned up until we were leaving at 8:30, we went to the pre identified coffee shop, which apparently doesn’t open until 10. We had a quick scout around town and nothing is opening.

Found a chap who is delighted to make a cappuccino for us, as delighted as we are.

So it’s Nescafe made on milk and he has a handy frother.  

Totally better than nothing( we have been in Turkey too long) 


We jump on a Dolmuş (mini bus) that takes us to Efes, get a ticket and explore the old town.

Usual story, founded hundreds of years BC, invaded by a few groups, eventually the Romans arrive and keep it going until 263 or so AD when the goths arrive and ransack the place. By then the main road which stopped at the docks was a few kilometres in land and city was in decline. 

 I was so excited to see the Library of Celsus again and it looks just the same except for the billion tourists( dont worry, i appreciate that i am one of them) with their selfie sticks.


It is a beautiful building.


We head up Curetes street which is the main drag and pop in and out of various ruins.

Since i had been here last, they have excavated a bunch of terrace houses off the main drag.

Oh my, it is a spectacular finding.

We pay a little extra for the privilege of exploring.


There is also an included “museum  experience” which was a bit of story telling with visual cleverness, we see than on our way out.

We grab a Dolmuş home and Stuart suggests we try some Turkish Mcdonalds. Same, same but a little bit Turkish.


In afternoon we visit the temple of Artemis which is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, but it was now only 1 column left after the rest of them were burned down a bunch of times.


We walked up to the top of the hill surrounding the town, to St Johns Basilica. We didn’t go in, just wandered.


Getting a little overwhelmed with all the old stuff, we retreat back to our strange guest house for a couple of beers on the terrace.


Dinner at Tats restaurant that has been recommended to us.

Serving good Turkish food.














































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