Last day in Izmir, and therefore, Turkey

Another very hot day, and when we woke up we could see our cruise ship, the Costa Atlantica, cruising up to the dock, just like she had a couple of Monday ago when we were disembarking.




She was a mighty fine sight, and a huge cruise ship.

A leisurely breakfast again in the executive lounge, honeycomb and clotted cream on a Turkish pastry was delicious.

We then did a city tour on the hop on/hop off bus. It was very hot, but we were up the back in the open, so got all the breeze there was.

A first of all the ho-ho buses we have used, this one gave us free water.








Here we are, a self portrait in the breeze.

A walk around the bazaar, meeting lots more nice Turks trying to help us buy something or other, and something we had never seen before, plus size mannequins modeling the clothes.




A quick Lunch at the Hilton lounge, pack up, check out, check our cases to be minded, and another little walk around the streets.

Checked out the church of St. Polycarp, unfortunately it was closed for renovations.


St. Polycarp was the first bishop of Smyrna (Izmir) and was martyred around 150AD, aged 86 years.
When asked to deny Christ, Polycarp replied with.....

“Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong,” said Polycarp. “How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

This church is the oldest in Izmir, dating from mid 1600.

The last couple of hours in Turkey we spent in the lounge, enjoying a cold drink, and culling the photos in the camera.

A taxi ride to the airport, and farewell Turkey, we love you and would love to come again sometime.

Posted from Hong Kong airport ....thanks for the free wifi.

Location:Cheong Tat Rd,,Hong Kong