Clockwise from top left: The Library of Celsus; Another view of the Library; The Baths
Clockwise from top left: The Amphitheatre where Paul preached; A sculpture outside the Library; Daniel and Monique
The last stop on our Turkey adventure was Selçuk, better known as the town adjoining Ephesus.
We were all feeling a tad worse for wear as we arrived in Selçuk
having set a cracking and exhausting pace up until this point. Rather than
getting up early and launching into another full day of exploring Ephesus in
the baking sun, we decided to take it easy and sample wine and feast at nearby Sirince,
have a snooze on the beach, and get an authentic Turkish hammam.
The hammam in particular was quite an experience, featuring full
body scrub, bathing and massage in a room full of men, performed solely by
hairy and mustachioed Turkish men wearing nothing but a towel. Monique and
Rachel may never be the same again.
It was just was just what the doctor ordered and left us feeling
fresh and rejuvenated to smash Ephesus and our last day in Turkey.
Exploring Ephesus was remarkable. It was basically just another
ancient ruined Roman city, which in and of itself is quite incredible – the theatre,
library, shop fronts, streets, amphitheatre, temple and churches were all
incredible ancient sights.
But what really sets Ephesus apart is the fact that you are
literally walking through streets that Paul would have walked through, seeing houses
he would have lived in and visited, stood in the amphitheatre where he
preached, and saw a prison where he was held.
Intellectually, spiritually, and visually, it was truly and
incredible experience and a real high point on which to finish our Turkish
adventure.
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