Kushadasi, Ephesus and Izmir

I went to the southwestern cities of Kushadasi and Izmir, which the Ancient Ruins of Ephesus lay. We spent one day on the beaches of Kushadasi, spent one day in Ephesus and a third day in the 3rd largest city of Turkey, Izmir. Kushadasi is a small tourist town and our hostel was across the street from the Mediterranean Sea. Very beautiful, or in Turkish "chok guzel." Ephesus is an ancient city maybe 1400bc, but the Greeks didn't settle until 1000bc. It has a long history of being conquored by the many Empires of ancient Anatolia. It experienced its peak population of 250,000 people when is belonged to the Roman Empire in the 2nd century AD. St. Paul is said to have visited Ephesus and may have even been imprisoned here for a time. Izmir is nice city located on the water as well. We spent most the day at a park on the water for a national holiday celebration. Then caught the sunset before returning to Istanbul, a 9 hour bus ride.

The view of Kushadasi from the balcony of our room.

The view at night.

Ancient theatre said to hold 24,000 people

The famous Library of Celsus

You thought modern public toilets were bad!

Famous Izmir clock

Beautiful sunset in Izmir

Sofia, Bulgaria

Yes, thats right Sofia, Bulgaria. Located northwest of Turkey, it boarders the Black Sea to the east and is to become a full member of the E.U. next year. It is a very beautiful country as you can see. Sofia is said to be one of the oldest settlments in Europe claiming to be over 7,000 years old. We had a fantastic time.

This is the city center in Sofia. The statue is of Sofia, or wisdom, the city's Patron Saint.

Bulgarians are Orthodox Christians and this is the Church of St. Nicholas a Russian Orthodox Church.

Another part of the city center. The unfinished court house.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in the late 19th century to honor Russian soliders who aided in Bulgarian independec in 1878.

We arrived in Sofia at 5:30am, couldn't check in until 11am, so we walked around and eventually caught breakfast.

The Beautiful mountains around Sofia, which resides in a valley, is also surrounded by mineral springs.

The group minus 1, the photographer.

Random Group Pictures

Exchange students at the bar on friday

The group from Cappidocia

Chili bread bowl night in my dorm

Another bar night, maybe a thursday

Western District Istanbul

I wondered around the western district of Istanbul. It is a very beautiful and often overlooked area. There are many sights to see including The Aqueducts of Valens built in the early 5th century. The Mosque where Sultan Mehmed II, who conquered Istanbul for the Ottomans in 1452, is buried. The defensive walls from the late 4^th century still stand in this area and have a beautiful view from on top of them. Also, there are plenty of small churches, turned into museums, with amazing mosaics and frescos.