Day Ninety Nine - April 14

Today we arrived in the port city of Izmir historically named Smyrna. It is one of the largest ports in Turkey that has roughly 4.7 million inhabitants. The city itself is located in the sheltered Gulf of Izmir on the Aegean Sea.

It is believed the city is one of the oldest in the Mediterranean world.

While leaving the ship we noted many dignataries waiting for the ship which included the mayor. Many television cameras were there as the Insignia was the first cruise ship visiting the city in two years. Lets hope it is not another two years for the other cruise lines to visit.

I believe the dignataries wanted to go on board but were required to have a negative Covid test before boarding.

Our private tour guide Isik met us at the cruise terminal. It is always good to see your name on a sign for a tour when the many leaving the ship must board buses to go to the same location. Our destination was Ephesus, a place we had unfortunately missed when we were here some fifteen years ago when our cruise ship was docked in Kusudasi.

History tells us that Ephesus was a city in ancient Greece on the coast of Ionia, three kilometers SW of the present day town of Selcuk in Izmir Province. The site dates back to the 10 century BC which came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129BC.

It is an amazing site which archaeologists say they are only scratching the surface. Estimates say only 20% of Ephesus has been found so far in over 140 years.

The main features were reminants of the Library and the Colosium. Out of the many archeological sites we have visited, this one was probably the most impressive. It was certainly worth the 15 year waiit.

Afterwards we were treated to a huge outdoor lunch of salads, vegetables and meat dishes. So much food that we did not need to have dinner. Of course after lunch we had to visit the required rug factory. We did see beautiful silk rugs and I guess are a good price if you are in the market for a rug.