Exploring Ancient Ephesus and Stunning Santorini

First stop in the morning was Kusadasi in Türkiye… or Ephesus in Turkey. In 2022 the Turkish government requested the United Nations and other governments to adopt Türkiye as the proper spelling, to “to better reflect the nation’s culture and distance the country from the English bird.”

A panoramic view of Kusadasi, Turkey, showcasing colorful hillside houses and the large 'KUSADASI' sign on the rocky outcrop. The foreground includes a mix of residential buildings and a clock tower near the waterfront.

Outdoor dining area with several patrons, featuring umbrellas and a view of the city and hills in the background.

A scenic view of Kusadasi, Turkey, showcasing a hillside filled with residential buildings and the name 'Kusadasi' prominently displayed on the hillside. The foreground features a marina with several boats and yachts docked, along with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds.

Ephesus (Kusadasi)

Ephesus is the crown jewel of the ancient world. (Ok, maybe it shares that epitaph with Athens.) It was a huge city, and very wealthy, which left many exquisite ruins. Some areas have been rebuilt using broken pieces, some are original, some huge areas are just full of seemingly random building bits.

Ancient ruins with tall columns and stone structures, surrounded by visitors exploring the site and a hilly landscape in the background.

Archaeological site featuring ancient ruins, including stone pillars and foundations, set against a mountainous backdrop with green trees.

Visitors walking along a wooden pathway through the ruins of an ancient site, with columns and stone structures under a cloudy sky.

Some of what look like caves were shops, along the edges of large market squares.

Archaeological site with ancient ruins, featuring stone structures and columns, surrounded by green hills and trees, with a few visitors exploring the area.

Here we saw a pomegranate tree, with little pomegranates growing. I can’t recall seeing them like that, so you have to look at them too.

A group of tourists stands among ancient ruins, with a lush tree bearing red fruits in the foreground and stone structures in the background.

A close-up view of a pomegranate plant featuring vibrant green leaves, small orange flowers, and a developing pomegranate fruit.

Visitors exploring ancient ruins featuring stone columns and carvings, surrounded by greenery and hills.

Ruins of an ancient archway within a historical site, with visitors exploring the area under a cloudy sky.

Ancient stone sculptures and partially ruined columns amidst a grassy hillside with wildflowers. — One way to loose belly fat…

Visitors exploring ancient ruins with scattered stone structures and columns, set against a hillside under a cloudy sky. — One way to loose belly fat…

Here’s a famous bas relief of the goddess Nike. Years ago, when viewing this very sculpture, we were told that the athletic shoe company Nike took their Swoosh logo from the folds of this Nike’s gown. When I looked it up, a different version was on the internet…

A carved stone relief depicting a winged figure, possibly representing victory, with flowing garments and an outstretched arm, holding an object. The sculpture is partially embedded in a larger stone block, set against a natural background.

The sweeping, check-like shape was inspired by the wing of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, which is where the brand also gets its name. The story is also told that Carolyn Davidson proposed the adoption of the swoosh, and was paid $35 for her contribution. The story gets better:

Years later, after Nike became a multi-billion dollar global powerhouse, the company recognized Davidson’s contribution. They surprised her with a diamond-studded gold Swoosh ring and 500 shares of Nike stock. By 2026, those shares were worth millions.

So below is the photo the website says inspired the idea. Rubbish! The sculpture above makes far more sense to me! What do you think?

Visitors observing ancient ruins with columns and stone structures, set against a hillside with greenery and a cloudy sky.

A busy ancient Roman street in a historical site, with tourists walking among marble ruins and columns beneath a cloudy sky.

Once you leave the large plateau, you start down a road towards where the ocean once was. The road is lined with what were shops, homes, temples and more. Then you get to see the magnificent multistory library.

A bustling ancient street located in Ephesus, lined with historic ruins, as tourists explore the site while some hold umbrellas and cameras.

There’s still plenty to see on the way down… even if I can’t read it.

A weathered marble column with visible cracks, standing against a backdrop of an ancient stone wall and greenery.

An ancient stone inscription with Greek text, partially weathered, set among other stone fragments in an archaeological site.

Ancient ruins with stone columns and a partially collapsed structure, set against a hillside with greenery and gray skies.

This place still has intricate tile mosaic flooring.

Ruins of an ancient site with stone structures and a patterned mosaic floor, set against a mountainous backdrop under a cloudy sky.

Ruins of an ancient structure featuring intricate mosaic flooring, surrounded by stone walls and archaeological remains on a hillside.

Ruins of the Temple of Hadrian in Ephesus, displaying ancient columns and marble stonework under a cloudy sky.

View of ancient ruins featuring large stone arches and columns, with tourists exploring the historical site.

Tourists walking through ancient ruins with the facade of a historic building in the background, surrounded by trees and cloudy skies.

The Library of Celsus, standing tall and proud. It once held over 12,000 scrolls. It was built as a grand mausoleum for Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, completed in 125 AD. He is in a marble sarcophagus under the main floor. (Or so I’m told… I couldn’t see him.)

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, with its grand façade and intricate carvings, surrounded by visitors exploring the ancient ruins.

The ornate upper structure of an ancient building, featuring carved columns and detailed architectural elements, against a clear sky.

View of the ancient Library of Celsus in Ephesus, showcasing the ornate architecture with detailed columns and carvings.

View of ancient columns and intricate stonework with tourists exploring the site.

Past the Library was a huge amphitheater, which they still use for concerts.

A crowded ancient archaeological site with ruins, featuring numerous visitors holding umbrellas, exploring stone steps and structures under a cloudy sky.

A bustling archaeological site with tourists exploring the ancient ruins, surrounded by trees and under a cloudy sky.

Ruins of an ancient site with marble columns and stone structures, featuring visitors walking through the area, and a distant amphitheater on a hillside under a cloudy sky.

I think the cranes here are not for reconstruction purposes, but to hold lighting and sound systems for concerts.

Ancient ruins of a large amphitheater with scattered stone remnants and a cloudy sky, featuring construction cranes in the background and visitors exploring the site.

Then the tour of ancient Ephesus was over, and we headed back to our ship. The picture below…. is NOT our ship.

A coastal view featuring a cruise ship in the distance, with a palm tree and a food cart in the foreground, sandy beach, and blue ocean under a clear sky.

The previous picture was of the Princess ship next to ours. Ours looked big when viewed by itself, but it was dwarfed by the gargantuan Princess liner next door!

View of a harbor with a large cruise ship in the background, palm trees lining the promenade, and parked cars in the foreground. — Our Celestyal ship and the big Princess

A large cruise ship named Celestyal Discovery docked at a harbor with clear blue skies.

Leaving Ephesus:

A harbor scene with several boats docked, including a military ship, against a backdrop of a coastal town and a hillside.

A coastal view featuring a small island with historical stone fortifications surrounded by blue waters, alongside a dock with a blue tugboat and various boats moored nearby.

Patmos

We spent an afternoon on the Greek island of Patmos. This is where the Apostle John was sent in exile, and where he wrote the Bible book of Revelation. While it was really fun to see the island where this momentous feat took place, the “Cave” they claim was where John stayed was rather off-putting… They have taken a cave, built doors and walls and chandeliers and such, and said silly things about how he touched this spot so we have framed it in silver, etc.

It did not look at all believable, or at least not the way I can conceive a disciple in exile would live.

A group of people lined up to enter a building with a decorative archway and a mosaic above the entrance, surrounded by trees and blue skies.

We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside, but here’s a bit of the entry. I’m pretty certain John did not live in a place looking like this:

Interior view of a historic religious site featuring ornate wooden carvings, an iconic painting of a saint, and visitors observing the artwork.

Above the cave area is a monastery, which was more interesting.

A historic castle stands on a hilltop with views of the surrounding area, while several people gather below, observing and taking photos near a quaint white building with a window.

View of a stone fortress wall with windows, captured from a low angle under a cloudy sky.

Plenty of strangeness in the frescos…

Interior of a historic church with colorful frescoes on the walls, depicting religious scenes. A group of visitors is gathered at the entrance. — Not sure what these guys did to deserve whatever they’re getting

Interior of a church featuring ancient frescoes on the walls, including depictions of figures in robes and ornate clothing, with detailed scenes of religious significance. — Not sure what these guys did to deserve whatever they’re getting

The picture below is supposed to represent the Apostle John as an eagle, with the opening words of his gospel on the scroll.

A mural depicting a stylized bird with large wings, set against a dark background, accompanied by a golden halo. The bird symbolizes St. John the Evangelist and is positioned next to a scroll with Greek text. — Scroll says “In the beginning was the Word…”

A photo of an arched courtyard featuring whitewashed walls, with two people seated on a bench. In the background, a bell tower is visible against a blue sky.

A narrow staircase leads up through a whitewashed courtyard with arched doorways and potted plants, including roses, against the walls.

Peter enjoyed the tiny passages and staircases:

A child in a red shirt climbs down a narrow staircase with white walls and a wooden railing.

A young boy in a red shirt descends a staircase in a narrow, whitewashed corridor, holding a small orange object.

A view of a traditional bell tower with three bells, set against a backdrop of a blue sky with clouds. In the foreground, two stone columns support the bells, with whitewashed buildings and steps visible in the background.

A small stone building with a dome roof, featuring an arched window and a double wooden door. A cross is visible on top of the dome, with cloudy skies in the background.

The views from the monastery were wonderful.

Panoramic view of a coastal town with white buildings, surrounded by hills and a serene bay, featuring a cruise ship near the shore and a partly cloudy sky.

Ruins of an ancient stone structure with a cross on top and an archway, against a blue sky with clouds.

View from a stone building overlooking a coastal landscape with people admiring the scenery, featuring a church with a domed roof and cross.

Across from our stateroom in one port was a beautiful motor yacht. I said it reminded me of our boat, when we spent a year on the water. Yep, a lot of similarities… They both were primarily white, they both floated… OK, maybe that was about all they had in common.

A luxury yacht docked at a bustling port with cranes and shipping containers in the background under a clear blue sky.

A luxury yacht docked at a harbor, with buildings and a mountainous landscape in the background, under a clear blue sky.

Crete (Heraklion)

While in Crete, our family did a tour of the Minoan ruins. They claim this is the world’s oldest civilization, but I’ve noticed several countries say theirs is the oldest. This was at least the first “High Civilization” in Europe, from about 2,000 BC.

Ruins of an ancient building with stone walls and a prominent red column, set against a blue sky with clouds.

No one has been able to break the Minoan language, and their very name is somewhat arbitrary. In 1900, archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans named the civilization after the mythological King Minos. Since nobody can read or pronounce any of their writings, the name has stuck.

An aerial view of ancient stone ruins surrounded by dirt and sparse vegetation, with a person in the background exploring the site.

Archaeological ruins with large stone slabs and scattered rocks, surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky.

They claim the original buildings used large tree trunks, placed upside down, for their columns. When they started using more permanent structures, they made the pillars wider at the top, like the tree trunks had been. It certainly is unusual.

A crowd of tourists viewing ancient ruins at the Palace of Knossos in Crete, Greece, with a clear blue sky overhead.

A group of tourists observing ancient frescoes within a archaeological site, featuring columns and stone walls in the background.

Interior view of an ancient structure featuring black columns, red walls with decorative patterns, and a wooden door.

The guides and signs made a big deal out of a sacred throne in one room. This is it. Really?? Who’d want to sit more than a couple of minutes on this uncomfortable chair? And to make it worse, huge lion-birds on either side, waiting to peck your ears off.

It always amazes me how “experts” will tell you how and why what went on 4,000 years ago, when they admit they can’t read any of the language. All their understanding is based on studying the pictures. So maybe this was really a torture chamber, where you sat on a horrible upright stone chair with monster birds waiting to attack you and nothing to look at but a huge pot of poi. I should be an archeologist.

Interior of a room featuring red walls with Minoan frescoes depicting animals and decorative plants, stone benches, and a round basin on a stone floor.

Bird's eye view of a section of ancient stone architecture featuring stairs, columns, and walls, showcasing the layout of a historical building.

An aerial view of an ancient archaeological site featuring stone structures, pillars, and staircases, with sandy ground and weathered walls.

Having exhausted my archeological imagination, I’ll let you just look at the following ruins and make up your own commentary.

A view of ancient stone ruins with stairs, set against a backdrop of green trees and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Ruins of the Knossos Palace in Crete, featuring ancient stone walls and columns under a clear blue sky.

The architectural structure features four columns and a wall adorned with a fresco depicting a bull, set against a clear blue sky.

A person walking among ancient ruins with stone structures, featuring a large building with red columns under a blue sky.

A view of ancient stone steps leading up to historical ruins, with visitors exploring the site under a blue sky with clouds. — Somewhat like an amphitheater

A row of blooming purple jacaranda trees alongside a stone wall, with petals scattered on the ground under a clear blue sky. — Somewhat like an amphitheater

We did wander a bit in the modern town of Crete.

A decorative stone fountain with ornate carvings, situated in a lively plaza surrounded by trees and shops.

A bustling market street lined with shops selling clothing and souvenirs, with people walking and exploring under a clear blue sky.

A busy market street lined with shops selling bags, souvenirs, and various goods, with people walking along the pedestrian pathway.

Here’s another place for archeological hypotheses… Did they chop this guy’s head off so he’d fit their columns? Was his head already missing and since they couldn’t afford a new complete guy, they put him on the fancy carved box? Was he intact, and the guy building the columns mis-measured, and they figured it would be easier to decapitate him than redo all the columns?

Ruins of an ancient stone structure featuring columns and a partially preserved statue in the center, set against a backdrop of lush dark green foliage.

Santorini

Santorini is probably the prettiest of all the Greek islands. All civilization is on the top of a very tall cliff. You can walk up a very steep, winding walkway, or cheat and ride the cable cars. Guess which we did!

A close-up view of a gondola lift with several cabins labeled R.1, R.2, and R.3, suspended above a mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.

Once at the top, you realize how very high you are indeed. I’ve heard that the city was build to be safe from invading pirates. Not only is is a very long hike up to the town, but once there, all the streets are narrow and confusingly laid out. Some are very narrow, and have lots of places to hide and ambush an invader. Now it just makes for a lot of places to sell souvenirs!

A view from a staircase leading down to the sea, featuring a large cruise ship in the blue water, with people descending the steps and enjoying the scenery.

They are known for having multitudes of clean white buildings, with a lot of beautiful blue domes.

A couple of tourists standing in front of a small blue domed church with a cross, surrounded by white buildings and a clear blue sky.

A white dome church with a blue roof and a cross on top, situated among modern buildings under a clear blue sky.

Selene is the Greek goddess of the moon, but also the make of the beautiful boat we lived on for a year. [If you haven’t seen it, click here] This Selene looks like an elegant hotel/restaurant.

Entrance to a restaurant named Selene, featuring a marble circular sign surrounded by vibrant red bougainvillea flowers. There are two large terracotta pots positioned at the entrance, and a black door can be seen in the background.

So many gorgeous buildings… I’m just going to show you a bunch of them.

Exterior view of a white building with blue accents, featuring balconies and a courtyard filled with plants and flowers under a clear blue sky.

Exterior view of a white church with a blue dome and a cross on top, surrounded by trees and parked motorcycles, under a clear blue sky.

A close-up view of a white church with a blue dome topped with a white cross, set against a clear blue sky.

View of white buildings on a hillside overlooking a blue sea, with clear blue skies in the background.

Exterior view of the Mylos restaurant featuring outdoor seating, a staircase, and a large sunshade with a windmill structure in the background.

View of white buildings with blue domes and a bell tower, alongside striped umbrellas and a sign for a pizzeria.

View of white-walled buildings stacked on a hillside in Santorini, Greece, under a clear blue sky.

A view of picturesque white buildings on a hillside, typical of Santorini, with outdoor seating and an umbrella in the foreground.

Many places have awesome views.

A panoramic view of the Aegean Sea with a cruise ship in the water, surrounded by rocky islands and a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a modern terrace with sun loungers and umbrellas overlooks the sea.

Entrance to Cliff Side Suites, featuring a white archway adorned with greenery and flowers, leading to a scenic view of white buildings in Santorini. — Another hotel that looks expensive!

View of a white domed church with a cross on top, overlooking the blue sea and islands in the distance.

Infinity pool overlooking the sea with white buildings and a clear blue sky in Santorini, Greece. — Nice view from a nice pool

A spacious terrace featuring a white and grey color scheme, with a comfortable seating area, potted plants, and a hot tub under a pergola. The scene is illuminated by natural sunlight with a clear blue sky in the background.

View of the Aegean Sea from a terrace overlooking a white building with 'GALINI' signage, featuring a ship in the water and distant islands under clear blue skies.

Three modern stone planters with various plants on a terrace overlooking a serene sea and mountainous coastline in Santorini, Greece, under a clear blue sky.

A scenic view of the sea and distant islands from a white rooftop, featuring a weathered wooden boat and satellite dishes in the foreground.

Two women smiling at a table outside a café, enjoying drinks. One has a colorful fruit drink, while the other has a glass of water. A beachy background with white buildings and a sunny sky. — Summer and Cindy

Colorful flowers in a window box with a scenic view of the sea and islands in the background.

A scenic view of the Aegean Sea from a white rooftop, featuring a decorative object resembling a fish. The horizon includes distant islands and sailboats on the tranquil blue water.

A scenic view from a terrace featuring vibrant pink bougainvillea flowers, lush green plants, and a glimpse of a cruise ship sailing in the deep blue sea with distant islands in the background.

A bright yellow building with white accents, featuring a bell tower and decorative windows, surrounded by a red wrought iron fence under a clear blue sky.

A close-up view of a bell tower against a clear blue sky, featuring white architectural details and a yellow building facade.

We saw signs offering to have your picture taken in a long flowing dress. Walking along, we saw one such photo session taking place. She winked at me, then went back to posing. (When we got home, I saw on Facebook that a friend of mine in Denver did a similar photoshoot.)

A woman in a flowing red dress ascends a stone staircase under a clear blue sky.

Scenic view of a white dome building in Santorini, Greece, with tourists walking along a pathway and mountainous landscape in the background.

Here you can see some of the walkway down the face of the cliff. There are 588 steps, for a vertical rise of 758 feet. The steps are not level; each one slopes so you are hiking up in between steps. Even the heartiest pirate would have the fight taken out of him by the time he got to town. We took the cable cars down.