Meandering the Meander River Valley

The group enjoyed a hearty breakfast that would put Denny's to shame as a wretched lack-luster offering. We filled ourselves with a vast array of delights then loaded the bus for a visit to ancient Miletus, mentioned in the Book of Acts. Here we saw the ancient theater that towers over the alluvial plain of the Meander River Valley. Tens of thousands would have fit into it with ease to watch the dramas or gladiatorial contests. There, too, we saw an inscription that marked one section of the seats for as the “Place of the Jews and Gof-fearers”, a term similar to those used in the New Testament for proselytes to Judaism that have accepted the Law and its teachings and the One God, but who have not undergone circumcision.


We exited the 'Vomitorium” (passageway) of the theater and walked down to the ancient harbor area, now filled with silt and miles from the ocean. Here once an ancient inner harbor welcomed visitors like St Paul as they docked in front of a large monument that recognized the gods of the sea. Across the old harbor was a Nymphaeum. Walking down the road we visited the ancient Baths of Faustina, a large complex with the typical Calldarium, Tepidarium, and Frigidarium arrangement of pools and rooms.




Lunch found us in a small Turkish buffet for a smörgåsbord of choices accompanied by cold drinks (Frank Stirk dried the yogurt with water and salt national favourite), and delicious fresh bread. Some then visited the ancient Temple of Apollo where the Oracle once promised Alexander the Great he would be victorious in the upcoming battle of Issus (he was!). Huge carvings of Medusa Heads guarded the entrance of this fantastic temple with huge columns that soared into the air.



From here we journeyed across the valley to the hilltop site of ancient Priene and its graceful Temple of Athena, Small theater with choice seats for special guests, a small Byzantine church, and a long walk up the hill that may have convinced several that a trip to the Alps should NOT be in their plans.

Dinner was not as outrageous as last night—there were only about desserts, including wonderful Baklava and fresh fruits, including great piles of ripe cherries. Some enjoyed the triple-whammy Turkish coffee afterward.

Tomorrow we will spend the day at Ephesus—the most fabulous of ancient Roman cities in Turkey.