Greek Cruise Day 2 (Kusadasi, Turkey and Patmos)

(Port city of Kusadasi)

The next morning we arrived to the port of Kusadasi, Turkey a place known for it markets and technically Asia. So I can now say I've been to Asia! Jordan and I spent the morning walking though the shady markets looking for a good deal, something we never really found. The market was huge, the Turkish sellers were the most aggressive I've ever encountered in my travels (making Mexico and all the Caribbean island markets look like a trip to the grocery store) Their goods were all fake, sometimes very convincingly, but the Turks were not afraid to post "genuine fake watches" outside their store. You could find just about whatever its designer jeans, clothing, shoes, jerseys, purses, leather jackets, or watches. But, no matter how fake the items were the prices were very real, I was mildly looking at a fake watch but even they cost around 150 euro. The shop owners were very pushy they call out to us and ask us if we played basketball or where we are from so get us to stop. Then they would proceed to shake your hand and literally grab it a pull you into their store. Brave people the Turkish are. What's worse is the fact that if you did not buy the goods they would get very offended making you pretty much book out of the shop checking your periphs. I ended up buying a decent Germany soccer jersey and the guy threw in a free pair of Calvin Klein boxer briefs along. We also were taken into a shop down a back alley where the shop owner opened all the secret compartments with book leg DVDs and boy did he have everything including TV seasons.

(Clocktower in Turkey)

The next port of call was Patmos. This island on the Aegean sea has a lot of history to it, as we learned though our tour. Below is the "Cave of the Apocalypse," where it is believed that John of Patmos received his visions and recorded them in the Book of Revelation. Pretty interesting stuff. Although it looks like a normal building this is simply the entrance, after walking down some stairs you literally enter a cave where John of Patmos lived.

(Cave of the Apocalypse)

The next interesting stop was all the way at the top of the island, the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. I don't remember much about the history besides that is very old (founded in 1088). Other than that is provided us lovely views of the whole island and old architecture.

(Arches in the monastery)
(Bells at the Monastery)
(A view from up top)
(More)
(and more)