The Brucato's and Turkey II: Back to Selcuk once again!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Hello!

I have come to the opinion that it can get REALLY hot in Turkey in early June…and while northern Europe was WAY too cold last winter, I think that somewhere I’d like to find a happy (and coolish!) medium!

Filo dough with feta cheese inside

Robert's salad

However…while we were thinking about dinner last night, very dark clouds began to gather, and thunder started rolling in the background! We really thought that we would get rain, but unfortunately, no such luck … just lightning and thunder! As a result, we decided to eat at the hotel again last night. This time, we had two starters – the rolled philo dough with feta cheese as well as some wonderful stuffed mushrooms – and then we each had a salad. Robert’s had melon, cucumbers and feta cheese, and mine had dried apricots and raisins. Very good! Then off to bed about 10 p.m. and still no rain…shucks!

My salad with dried apricots and raisins

Cheese stuffed mushrooms

Up this morning about 6:30 a.m. and ready to head out at 8 a.m. to see whatever was left of the Mausoleum (the tomb of King Maussolus, hence the word mausoleum) just down the street; one of the seven wonders of the ancient world! While we were making our way there, a tour bus actually dropped off a group of Japanese tourists who beat us to the ticket window. While they toured some of the exhibits, we toured the actual remains, and by the time we were ready for the exhibits, they had somehow disappeared! We have no idea where they went!

At any rate, not much left to see of the Mausoleum, but we have posted some pictures. The monument had been used over the years as quarry by people [including the Knights of St. John (crusaders) to build their fortress in Bodrum].

All that's left of the huge Mausoleum!

Then back for a very meager breakfast, and out by about 9:30 a.m. to head to Selcuk.

Mausoleum steps leading down to sacrifice area

We were wondering how we would get our luggage to the car, but it was easy – one of the young men the hotel employs brought it on a hand truck, and we all managed to get to the car without losing anyone in traffic! Making our way out of town was, again, a bit tedious, as we ended up going completely through town as opposed to yesterday’s circuit, which took us down back roads and into people’s yards…

We are beginning to ponder how exactly we are to get our souvenirs home with us, and are wondering about extra luggage…even though I did buy a very spacious “carpet” bag in Goreme, and we could bring that on board or check it, if necessary. Robert’s idea – a great one – is that we need to repack everything in Bursa the night before we turn in the car, so that when we take the ferry from the rental car to our Friday night hotel, we’ll be totally self-contained.

The drive today from Bodrum to Selcuk took about three hours, and we also stopped along the way at Magnesia on the Meander River.

Magnesia

Public "latrine" in Magnesia

There was quite a bit of ruin to see, but in the heat of the day (noon) it was a bit warm. We had a good walk around the site, and then completed the last 20 km or so into Selcuk.

A bit more in Magnesia

Our lovely room 12 Hotel Nyla!

Very nice to be back!

SO nice to be back in Selcuk, where we stopped twice (once on the way in and once on the way out) on our visit two years ago; both times at the Hotel Nyla. Found the hotel without too much problem, and our room was almost ready. We had to wait about 10 minutes or so, and are back in #10, what they call a suite. (It is larger than the other rooms, and has a small seating area. We were very comfortable here last time!)

As it was about 1 p.m. and we were hungry, we went down the hill and across the street to Pinar Pide for lunch. Robert got a pide (Turkish flatbread/pizza) with mushrooms and cheese, and I got one with cheese only, and we shared. Very, very enjoyable lunch! Then the walk back up the hill to the hotel and naps.

We’re debating the possibility of going to Ephesus now, as I am certain that most people have probably gone home for the day, and they do stay open until 6:30 p.m. Dinner tonight at Hotel Bella, with the wonderful view of the storks – who are getting SO big! Really fun!

Stork with so cute baby!

More later!

Well! We had a FABULOUS late afternoon/early evening! Two years ago, one of the first things we did when we got to Selcuk was visit Ephesus. We got there after opening time, and it was packed to the gunnels – and I absolutely HATED everything about it! So, this time, I figured, we’ll be there at opening time.

However, having some time this afternoon, I asked if the crowds were smaller later in the day, and was told that yes, they were, but it was usually so hot.

Road leading to Ephesus - empty!!

Grand theatre -- seating for 25,000!

So, decided to see what it was like about 4:30 p.m. just in case…well, the storm that was moving into Bodrum last night, must have been heading this way, because about 4, it got very cloudy and gray. So…we jumped in the car and got to Ephesus about 4:30 – and they remain open until 6:30 p.m. We got a discounted rate (30 TL as opposed to 45 TL) which was nice, and as those storm clouds rolled in, at places we literally had Ephesus to OURSELVES, which is JUST how I like my ruins!!! We had a MUCH better time this time. We had an opportunity to see all the important and even lesser important sites as well as having the Odeon to ourselves. It eventually did start raining, just about the time we were heading back, but, as we had our umbrellas (Thank you, R!) no problems at all! Back to the hotel by 6:30-ish, and will now post and head out for dinner!! And Ephesus was, actually, pretty neat after all!