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Selcuk

The bus from Canakkale didn't leave until 11 in the evening so i had the whole day to look around town. After an hour I had seen all there was to see and wondered if the money saved from taking a nightbus rather than staying in a hostel was worth the boredom i was about to endure. After Troy and Gallipoli there was really nothing else to see and i struggled to keep myself busy. Even the hostel only had two videos, both onGallipoli, seemingly admitting that this was a one trick town.

I was woken in Aydin, a little dazed and confused since this was well past where the girl at the ticket office saidi was going to be dropped off near Selcuk. Something lost in translation i guess. No bother, I took a minibus from hereand was rewarded with some nice views of the mountains as the sun was rising over the horizon.

I was greeted with breakfast and tea when i got to the ANZ Guesthouse. Just what i need after a night of jilted sleep. The sunwas shining and not to waste it i walked the 4km out to Ephesus via the temple of Artemis. Once a wonder of theancient world featuring 127 coloumns 60ft high now reduced to a solitary column in a paddock just outside of town. Despite the weather i had the place pretty much to myself (if i closed my eyes when the occasionnal coach group passed). It was a prettyamazing place and i had no problem filling out the day walking around the ruins of what was once the Asian capital of the Roman Empire. I returned to my hostel and a home made dinner. As there were only a other guests it almost felt like i was a staying in someones home.

Today i walked around the ruins of St Johns Bascilica, the burial place (apparently) of St John. The story goes that John fled herewith the Virgin Mary in 42 AD. The house where she lived (apparently) is just out of town and her burial place (apparently) near by.

Afterwards I chin wagged for a while over some tea in a Carpet store. He seemingly had no problem with the fact i had no intention of buying anything and didn't mention carpets again the for the hour or two i was there. I guess at this quite time of year with so view tourists he was just bored. I finished the day at Ephesus Museum which houses some of the Antiquites and statues found at the ruins.

Next I'm heading to Pamukkale for the calcfied waterfalls, hot springs and the ruins of Hierapolis and Afrodisias.

Cheers,
schuey
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