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| Docked in Kusadasi - in large sized company |
Kusadasi is another popular resort town for European
tourists along the Turkish Riviera, thanks to its extensive beaches and clear
blue waters. For the history buffs, there is ancient Ephesus, the Artemison and
the Temple of Didyma, as well as the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last
years.
The story about Virgin Mary is a little doubtful, as
Jerusalem claims the same story of her last residence being there.
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| Carpet weaving demonstration in front of every carpet store |
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| Kusadasi side street |
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| Tree decorations |
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| More Carpet Demos |
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| Tulip and Cloves, two flowers which appear in Turkish design |
I have visited these intriguing ancient sites In Kusadaki on
earlier visits, and decided to stick around town.
For the shoppers, it is heaven. Anybody who is particular to
Oriental carpets, handmade, wool on wool, wool on cotton, silk, traditional of
contemporary design will find it difficult to absorb the plethora of offerings.
I was sorely tempted, but my favourite little hand knotted fine silk rug had a
price tag of 9000 Euros – before bargaining starts. After a couple of cups of
apple tea in the carpet store, lengthy friendly – and on my part non-committal
– dickering, the asking price sounded more like 6000 Euros. Well, that’s still
a lot of coin which has to be coughed up….so I left without the mother of all
souvenirs.
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| Small but precious |
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| Detail of a hand woven Cinar Silk Carpet of contemporary design |
I spent the day instead of my Euros strolling around
Kusadasi, exploring a fortress on Pigeon Island which was slightly overgrown
with weeds but reachable over a slowly decaying cause way, wandering along the
beach and the back roads of town, and indulging in a last Turkish delight:
freshly caught calamari.
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| Fortress on Pigeon Island |
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| View from the Ramparts |
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| Chatting beside the shoe shine box |
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| Some would say, Turkish Delight |
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| Hauling in the Strawberries |
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| City Beach beside the fish market, lined with restaurants |
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| It was a hot day.... |
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| Produce delivery in the harbour |
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| Tug Boat Crew - sort of |
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| Salaam Allaikum Turkey! |
