Kusadasi, Turkey (October 13, 2025)
I debated which picture to use for the preview. Ultimately, I chose the one you likely clicked on:
Bill, Violet and Elena Carmody in front of the Celsius library in Ephesus
This was my alternative:
Kusadasi, Turkey as what looks to be the “Hollywood, CA” sign
This was my very first visit to Turkey. While much of the previous destinations I’ve been to before, I could not say this about Kusadasi, Turkey. I think Elena, Violet and I would have been even more blown away with the ancient ruins had we not spent so many previous days in Italy digging into the ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Agrigento (not to mention the Parthenon in Athens just two days ago).
According to the Turkish travel website, “Ephesus is the single major reason why the city of Kusadasi is a famous tourist destination. The ruins of the second largest Roman City of Ephesus are located just outside Kusadasi, they are amongst the best preserved ancient Greco-Roman remains found in the world. Matching up to standards of famous Greco-Roman ruins in countries like Greece and Italy, the ancient ruins of Ephesus are one of the top visited attractions in Turkey.” And indeed I can confirm all of this.
One of the challenges that we had with this guided tour (especially one organized by a cruise ship we’ve never used before) is that there was no “end” time for this excursion. Usually, it’s about a 2 hour ordeal (give or take). This one turned out to be FIVE and a HALF HOURS!
It was a 30 minute bus ride two the site from the port, so once you subtract the full hour (there and back), that leaves four and a half hours. The math still doesn’t work. Until the first reveal: We’re headed into a specific (premium / reserved) area of Ephesus where they are doing special renovations “the terrace houses.”
There was a full presentation from a local archeologist who spoke Turkish and our guide translated into English. It wasn’t necessary. I understand that the goal was to introduce us into the culture and there were some interesting facts. For example, the terrace houses are actually three houses and only two are uncovered and the third is in the process of being excavated. All three houses are being protected by a special kind of plastic that was imported from Ohio at a cost of $11 million to preserve them as they continue to reconstruct them, preserving the mosaics and the buildings as they were originally built.
It was a long history lesson about the lives of the rich during this time in history and if we had specifically signed up for it, that would have been cool, but a surprise lecture and history lesson wasn’t on the agenda and after a good two hours of standing around, it was getting to be a bit much. We we ready to get back to the ship, relax and be done for the day.
Violet and Elena walking back after a long exploration of ruins … but wait, there’s more?
Reveal number two. Before taking us back to the ship, we would be taken to learn all about authentic Turkish carpet making. Now I get it. The world is flat, Amazon, Costco and Walmart have destroyed the value of double knot handmade carpets. Cruise ships are captive audiences. But tacking an extra 90 minutes (or was it two hours?) on to an already long excursion was a bit much. Admittedly, I learned a lot. From how silk is painstakingly hand pulled, died and spun. To how these incredible rug artists create their crafts. The value created is undeniable and that’s the point of a full end-to-end demonstration. Furthermore, who would willingly sign-up for this cultural emersion on its own?
So I get it. The country of Turkey wants to promote more education of this important export and help spread the awareness and interest to help promote desire and possible tourist purchases. But being a captive audience to a sales pitch was a bummer after an already long excursion for the day. (Thank you, PQ Reps and ongoing meditation practice. Good opportunity to practice unconditional inner peace and working with disturbances ;-)
Long day. As a good friend of mine likes to remind me, “Expectations are premeditated resentments.” This was a really good reminder for today’s events. As soon as I release any and all expectations for how today was “supposed” to go, it was a fine day.
I saw amazing ancient ruins, spent time with my family, learned how Turkish handmade carpets are actually made from scratch and increased my attitude and value towards my own time and worthiness. I also learned to ask an important question well in advance, “So, honey, what time does this excursion END?”
Every day I learn something new is a great day and today was full of great lessons that will help improve my life. So many gifts life is throwing my way. I just need to be ready and open enough to receive each and every one of them.
One of life’s amazing gifts from today: A beautiful Sunset
Had I not been out for five and a half hours on this excursion, I would have been either at dinner or at one of the many onboard events the cruise ship has planned for us. What I would have missed is this gorgeous sunset.
Yes, life is beautiful. And sometimes I’m running around so focused on “what’s wrong” that I neglect to see all that’s right. Sometimes, that’s the gift that’s most important. Life slowing me down to help me take inventory of all the incredible gifts that are all around me that I can easily take for granted if I’m not mindful. Perhaps that was the greatest lesson and most important gift of them all for me today.
