Too pale to be Australian

As I type this, the mosque outside competes for noise with the screams of excited local children hurtling down the hills of the cobbled streets on their bicycles and the raucous Turkish version of Deal Or No Deal that is currently holding the attention of all the hotel staff.

Bus from Izmir to Selçuk today, from where we headed out to Ephesus, 3km out of town. We ignored suggestions to visit at the start or end of the day, realising only when we got there how well-founded they are: it's stinking hot out there with the sun high overhead.

Still, nothing could take away from how spectacular the site is. Even archeological neanderthals like us could appreciate its enormity and grandeur. This shot is of the amphitheatre that holds 25,000 people and is currently being restored.

Spent a lovely late afternoon lounging on the rooftop terrace of our hotel, looking out over what remains (a piddly one pillar) of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The owner of our hotel informed me that I'm too pale to be an Australian. It appears I am a disgrace to my country...

Getting the train to Pamukkale tomorrow.