Carina Studios

Kusadasi

by miman

Cap or Hat, Trousers (cotton blend is good, jeans are not), Shirts (mix tees/short/long sleeve), Warm weather gear (swimsuit/shorts/sandals) What must be found in your medical kit: something for the upset stomach medication, Diarrhea Medicine, Insect bite cream, Antiseptic toilettes. Water Bottle, Sunglasses, Electrical Converter/Adapter.

"PIRATE'S CASTLE"

by balhannah

This Castle is located on the highest point of Pigeon Island. It is a Byzantium Castle that was built up on the rocks. During the time of the Ottoman Empire, it was used as a lookout point to stop Pirate's attacks, hence, this is how it got its name. The Tower, which is a the top of the Island, was used by Guards for their accommodation and for a lookout. There is also a cistern here.

Filipino Food, Turkish Hospitality

by nancyw

"Cooking Adobo in Turkey"

I was looking forward to Kusadasi, mostly because I was anxious to visit Ephasus. My day started, though, with an unexpected treat.

On board the Rotterdam, during the 2001 World Cruise, I found out the the Filipino beverage staff usually rented the kitchen and dining room of a restaurant near the port. They'd buy fresh vegetables and seafood and cook their favorite foods.

I was invited to join them and am so glad I was! We started at the fishmarket - haggling with a some very friendly Turks over the fish, caught that morning.

After buying some fresh vegetables, we moved on to the restaurant - just a block away. There were about 10 of us in the kitchen - chopping, cleaning, stirring, frying. All of this supervised by the Turkish manager of the restaurant, who seemed to be having as good a time as we were.

After about two hours of intensive cooking, the first of the crew began to arrive. Lunch was served in shifts, since all the crew couldn't be off the ship at the same time. During a three hour period, though, about 45 of us enjoyed fried and grilled fish, squid adobo, senagong and a lot of rice.

"Ephesus"

While the late lunch arrivals were still eating, three of us headed off to Ephasus. We timed it perfectly, arriving just as bus loads of other tourists were leaving.

Walking through the quiet ruins, trying to absorb how many years ago it was built was something I'll never forget.

The ruins are being restored with exacting detail, enabling visitors to get a sense of what it was like to walk through the streets hundreds of years ago.

"St. Paul"

I sat down to rest and enjoy the moment. As I looked around, I realized that I was sitting in the spot where St. Paul had preached to the Ephesians.

There was no one else around. The air was stil, with only the sound of a nearby bird. The hills were green, with occasional splashes of purple flowers.