We can’t pick figs and tile floors all the time, so a few days ago we took the afternoon off and went to Pamucak beach to have a swim and watch the sunset. It’s a great beach that has avoided the let’s-build-a-giant-hotel-here problem because it’s down-river from Ephesus and so is protected for archaeological reasons. There’s a small beach cafe providing cold beer and shade, and the beach itself is wide and clean with perfect yellow sand. A great spot for a swim.
A quiet day at the beach
Three of the great features of the region in one shot: beaches, sunsets, and tractors.
One of the fun parts of our project is that we kind of have a responsibility to get to know all of the tourist attractions in the area, so that later we can give people good advice about which ones they should see if their time is limited. With that in mind, we took another day to visit our closest attraction: the ruins of ancient Magnesia. It’s an evocative place, and must have been a spectacular sight when it was inhabited.
Part of the ruins of Magnesia-on-the-Meander
Five lira to get in, which is about £1.40 or €1.75 or $2.35. Pretty reasonable! (We should have walked up into the hills to get shots of the amphitheatre and the stadium but the heat made us a bit lazy.)
Quite mournful to see all that impressive stonework lying tumbled around where it fell, perhaps in an earthquake.
Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair…
Aww, lovely, and such selfless pursuit of customer satisfaction ;-)
We aim to please. :)
Wow, just found your blog! It looks amazing. I am simultaneously jealous and kind of awed by the project. When I am rich enough to fly a family of four to Turkey we will come and visit.
Thanks, Hywel. Don’t be awed. This is just what happens when a grumpy academic plays too much minecraft and gets ideas.
Airfares are cheaper in the shoulder- and off-seasons, obviously. And spring or autumn would be great times to visit, especially if you want to walk around all the local sights (ruined cities, etc.)