Cruise overview - Izmir Turkey

Gokalp and Basak at Ephesus

Archie and I agreed that our favorite place to visit on the cruise was Izmir, Turkey but that was so much because Gokalp Ekremoglu (our former foreign exchange student and current son-across-the-ocean) met us there and then showed us around.  We hadn't seen him in 17 years and though he calls us a couple of times a year and we facebook and email a bit together it was WONDERFUL to see him in person and meet his new wife Basak.  He both has grown up some and not changed at all.  He was always quite mature but he is fully a man now.  We always thought so highly of him and wanted him to marry well and he really did. We were enchanted with Basak.  She is so genuine, gracious, warm and wise, and she seems to love him so much.  She fits into our family so nicely and speaks English beautifully.  I could not have been more happy for them both.  It was amazing how time collapsed and it felt like it did so many years ago when he lived with us. 

 He took all of my family and even some friends on a bus to Ephesus to show us around.  This is Gokalp and Basak pushing my father in his wheelchair in Ephesus. 

Ron and Archie looking at ruins

 Ephesus was so much more impressive than we were prepared for.  We had just seen the Parthenon and the Acropolis the day before but somehow, we were more impressed by Ephesus.  The further downhill we went the more spectacular and awesome it was.  It must have been a really impressive and HUGE city. 

Family members(Geneen, Lucy, Jesse, Basak) in front of the hospital

 Not only are the standing buildings impressive, there is much carved stone and columns laying around, all decorated and carved and beautiful.  We kept saying that even the rubble is beautiful.  I don't know if they will ever be able to put it all together but if they did it would be so beautiful.

Gary looking at the front of the Library

 This is the front of the library in Ephesus which is the most impressive building standing in town.  I had seen pictures of it and you are seeing some now but it does not prepare you for the immense scale and beauty of it.  We kept saying how awesome it must have been to walk into this city when Paul preached there, almost intimidating. 

Closer view of the Library--Just awesome

Marilyn, Ron and Archie in front of the Theater and Gymnasium (school)

View from the steps of the library at Ephesus.  The city square was large

Finally we had to say farewell to Gokalp and Basak at the cruise ship.  I would like to have spent a few days with them and more time in Turkey also.  They also took us to the Bazaar or shopping area, which I don't have a picture of but some of my family do.  He bought everyone some typical Turkish fast food (I don't remember the name but it was essentially a Turkish beef burrito made from beef cooked on a long skewer or spit.  He used to tell us about it when he lived with us.  He also spent a couple of hours talking about Turkey to us as the bus drove us to Ephesus and answered loads of questions. The best guide you could have had! We all felt so much more knowledgeable about the country of Turkey.