Kusadasi, Turkey

Welcome to Asia! Did you know that most of Turkey is in Asia? Only the part of the country North/West of the Bosporus straight is in Europe.

If you’ve been keeping up with our adventure you know our day started with a simple mission: find the cinnamon rolls! After breakfast we set out for a full day of exploring. Turkey.

Our first stop was the Basilica of St. John, where ancient ruins surround the tomb of John the Apostle. Next, we found ourselves at the tranquil house of the Virgin Mary, a sacred site believed to be where Saint John took mother Mary to spend the remainder of her life. At this site you can light a prayer candle, drink from the well, or leave wishes papers. The gift shop is run by the Virgin Mary Association. The souvenirs are a little more expensive here but the money goes to caring for the property.

The highlight of our tour was undoubtedly the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was a major Greek city and later a significant Roman settlement. The city was founded around the 10th century BC and grew to become one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire.

Ephesus is known for many remarkable structures, but the standout is the Library of Celsus. As we strolled through the well-preserved streets, we marveled at the impressive homes and public spaces, admiring their architecture.

As the day grew to a close, we visited a carpet weaving shop, where we marveled at the intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors of handmade rugs. We watched how the silk was spun and learned about the women who painstakingly work on these rugs for years. We couldn’t leave empty handed, purchasing a small silk rug to treasure as a memento to our time in Turkey.

One of the highlights of the day was undoubtedly our exceptional guide, whose passion for history and storytelling helped us understand more about Turkish life. Her knowledge and enthusiasm made our journey all the more enriching and memorable.

Back on the ship the evening took a fun turn with a round of movie trivia to test our film knowledge, followed by the hilarious game show “Liars Club,” hosted by the cruise staff. Laughter echoed through the room as we tried to figure out who was telling the truth and who was bluffing, with plenty of witty banter and outrageous stories.

Before calling it a night, we made a “donation” to the ship’s casino!