The so-called House of the Virgin Mary was yawn time, but I should brag that I did visit it. I didn’t fill the terracotta jug the guide gave us with water from her spring,  but I did light a candle. I forgot to make a wish though even though the guide said every wish he made here came true.

Our guide was Khan,  whom I thought of as the rug merchant, most interested in time for selling carpet. Khan had  emphasized that he would avoid crowds as he took us to locations,  and that was true.

After a carpet weaving exhibition that was more interesting than I expected we had a tasty lunch at a Lakeside (where did that come from?) hotel.

Ephesus was last on the tour and was quite impressive – certainly more vast (in one place) than anything to be seen in Athens. Ephesus has not been restored as thoroughly nor as carefully as the Roman forum that I found myself comparing it to especially in land area covered.

Up at 5 and waiting for the omelet chef to start working as the ship prepares to dock at Izmir. Whoops I had to break off to get my omelet.

Not so many at breakfast as yesterday implying not so many planning to tour here as Athens. People pick a place to tour based on whether their friends know it. “Everyone knows Athens so we’ll go there. Ephesus? Where’s that? Nah, not going to Ephesus!”