Turkey - Selcuk, Kusadasi, & Dilek Peninsula

After touring Ephesus and St John's Basilica, we enjoyed a quiet evening in the town of Selcuk, sipping coffee and playing competitive games of backgammon. Determined to see more, we hopped on our bikes and peddled another 60-km to Dilek Peninsula, where a natural reserve with hyena's, wild cats, and rare seals live off the land. Much of the park is closed off, but hopefully in efforts for preservation. We stayed only 1 evening in a town outside the park, which seemed to have only Turkish locals and tourists. It was good to get away from the mainstream, but we were excited to return back to Samos!

Five flat tires later, we head for home....I mean Samos! Back to island life.

Sipping Turkish coffee takes me back to my childhood days when I was sporting a collection of mini ceramic dishes for dolls. Funny fact, there seems to be a dispute, is it Greek coffee or Turkish coffee?
A local man quietly enjoying his day in the central square. Hopefully pedestrians don't stray too close to the building above him, it's not the camera that's at an angle!
Mike anticipating a hearty Turkish meal of pide (their version of pizza), meatballs, and stuffed eggplant, all of which was probably stolen by the Greeks later on. Well, at least according to the Turks!
If you look closely, you will see a string of tourists bathing under an old castle. I suppose that's one way to appreciate ancient ruins.
The exit gate of Ephesus sells plenty of quality products.