Kusadasi, Turkey

KUSADASI, TURKEY      09 APR 11

Two days in Kusadasi, home of arguably the best preserved ruins around, Ephesus.  This is definitely the thing to do in this port, but having been there before we opted for two lazy days around the town itself which is really an enjoyable tourist destination in itself.  Pedestrian friendly main drag with all kinds of interesting alleys, each lined with non-aggressive and playful vendors.  We’ve “run the gauntlet” in various tourist shopping areas throughout the world but this was actually fun, even though the only things we bought were honey, cheese, beer and a couple of scarves.  The shopkeepers try to engage you in conversation with excellent English, French, German, Italian or whatever language they thought you might speak judging by your appearance only.  Many are actually quite funny and the experience was positive.  Even the signage on the shops was comical.   

We had lunch both days at the same restaurant, Kings Place, a waterfront view with very few customers.  Excellent food, freshly prepared at about 1/2 the price of a lunch in Boston.  To be fair, it is not “season” yet and most places are just opening up and doing the painting and repairing necessary for the upcoming summer.  

On day 1 we walked along the waterfront for about twenty minutes to Pigeon Island, which was actually a peninsular.  A fort commands the harbor from here but it was not open to the public and looked like it hadn’t been used in a hundred years.  There was a very picturesque circumferential walk around the fort which was enjoyable in the lovely weather, low 70’s.  Day 2 found us riding the local jitney or minibus to  Ladies Beach, a rather forlorn and actually quite dirty beach of about 200 yards in length located about twenty feet below the street level which was lined with restaurants.  Again, it is early times seasonally here, so I’m sure if it were July it would have been more customer friendly.

This was my fourth time in Turkey and I always come away with positive feelings.  Lots of history, scenery and, once again, friendly people.  Should the opportunity arise to visit Turkey, do not hesitate to avail yourself.

Joe Wagg