Friday, October 3 –

For the first time this trip, we got some significant rain which continued into the morning, so no outside exercise today. Fortunately, this hotel has a 24/7 fitness room with an excellent selection of weights. I was all set.

The final sight on our tour was the ancient metropolis of Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. St Paul wrote epistles to the Ephesians and is said to have written his first letter to the Corinthians (“love is patient, love is kind…”) while here.

It is an expansive place, with the theater, gymnasium, library, baths, etc. that we have become familiar with, just on a grander scale.

I was most impressed with the terrace houses–basically a condo complex for the upper class Ephesians. The excavations, started in 1999, are ongoing, and the condition of the mosaics and frescoes was impressive, even to this untrained eye.

We had the entire morning there, and while we got rained on a bit, it really did not hamper us. By the time we left, it was hot and sunny and, if I am honest, I was kind of “ruined out.”

Afternoon was empty of agenda, so Dan and I had a nice seafood lunch along the water. Afterward, he hung out on the hotel terrace while I strolled along the streets, checking out the marina and the shops.

Our final group “dinner” was a happy hour/cocktail party. Drinks and tons of appetizers, more than enough to make up dinner. Lots of laughs, reminiscing, and, towards the end, a little sadness as we said our goodbyes. This was a fabulous group of people. Two weeks ago, they were names on a roster, strangers. Today, they feel like friends. Group travel does come with caveats, but the right group actually enhances the experience. This was definitely the case on this tour.

Tomorrow, transition day that entails being in airports most of the day. I wonder how long my warm feelings from tonight will last…

22,911 steps

11.2 miles