We had a lazy breakfast and got to the Selcuk train station around 11am. Its so cheap, only 6.50tl to go to Izmir, and 4tl if we were to go to the airport. We met a nice Canadian elderly couple at the train station, who we'd seen at Pammukale. They were very impressed by Turkey too, but we soon found out they were super religious because the lady started saying how God put the gift of Pammukale there, and then she was excited about all the Virgin Mary Church and St John resting places etc. Ryan and I didn't really know how to respond except nod our heads.
Train pulled in at 12 and we quickly realised how packed it was, and that maybe a bus would have been a more comfortable choice. Also the train is non smoking, but many commuters would go into the bathroom to smoke, so there was heavy cigarette smoke when they came out. Ryan and I didn't get a seat, so we stood for the 1.5hr journey.
When we arrived, we walked about 1km with our packs to our hotel which is around an motorbike mechanic/retail area so there's bikes, helmets, tyres everywhere.
We tried to bargain with the hotel but the receptionist had really poor English, and he didn't quite understand what we were trying to do, kept trying to give us a higher rate than what was online. Anyway the boss came and ended up matching the price for us.
We dropped off our bags then went to find lunch just around the corner at this small kofte place. They only serve one dish, so we figured it should be yum. We were right and it was the most delicious kofte we'd had, really bouncy and fresh in the mouth. Also had a salad and some cake for dessert that was covered in some kind of peanut sauce.
It was scorching hot so we went back to the hotel and had a nap before heading out again around 5pm to the water to watch the sunset.
The sun didn't set until 8.15, so we burned the time having a nice cold drink at a cafe, then walking along the foreshore and grabbing a drink and popcorn from a convenience store before settling on a bench and waiting for the sunset. Ryan was obsessed with having a beer as he watched the sun set, even more so because everyone we saw had a beer. He got his wish.
The waterfront area of Izmir is quite interesting, its very 'high class' and obviously very westernised, as we saw many rich looking people (old women in white linen blazers and a slick of red lipstick) enjoying coffees and cakes, and lots of young, university types socialising, drinking beer, and the girls wearing very tight clothes. I'd say the trend is tight skinny jeans with a midriff top, or super short shorts with tight midriff top. The area really reminded me of Bondi with its numerous restaurants, cafes and many international shops.
However, once you walk about 1km away from the area, it quickly becomes poorer, more industrial perhaps? And women almost nonexistent - and the men seem older so I've been getting a lot of stares.
Anyway we weren't hungry at all, maybe because its been so hot, so we skipped dinner (2nd night in a row) and went home to sleep.
Train pulled in at 12 and we quickly realised how packed it was, and that maybe a bus would have been a more comfortable choice. Also the train is non smoking, but many commuters would go into the bathroom to smoke, so there was heavy cigarette smoke when they came out. Ryan and I didn't get a seat, so we stood for the 1.5hr journey.
When we arrived, we walked about 1km with our packs to our hotel which is around an motorbike mechanic/retail area so there's bikes, helmets, tyres everywhere.
We tried to bargain with the hotel but the receptionist had really poor English, and he didn't quite understand what we were trying to do, kept trying to give us a higher rate than what was online. Anyway the boss came and ended up matching the price for us.
We dropped off our bags then went to find lunch just around the corner at this small kofte place. They only serve one dish, so we figured it should be yum. We were right and it was the most delicious kofte we'd had, really bouncy and fresh in the mouth. Also had a salad and some cake for dessert that was covered in some kind of peanut sauce.
It was scorching hot so we went back to the hotel and had a nap before heading out again around 5pm to the water to watch the sunset.
The sun didn't set until 8.15, so we burned the time having a nice cold drink at a cafe, then walking along the foreshore and grabbing a drink and popcorn from a convenience store before settling on a bench and waiting for the sunset. Ryan was obsessed with having a beer as he watched the sun set, even more so because everyone we saw had a beer. He got his wish.
The waterfront area of Izmir is quite interesting, its very 'high class' and obviously very westernised, as we saw many rich looking people (old women in white linen blazers and a slick of red lipstick) enjoying coffees and cakes, and lots of young, university types socialising, drinking beer, and the girls wearing very tight clothes. I'd say the trend is tight skinny jeans with a midriff top, or super short shorts with tight midriff top. The area really reminded me of Bondi with its numerous restaurants, cafes and many international shops.
However, once you walk about 1km away from the area, it quickly becomes poorer, more industrial perhaps? And women almost nonexistent - and the men seem older so I've been getting a lot of stares.
Anyway we weren't hungry at all, maybe because its been so hot, so we skipped dinner (2nd night in a row) and went home to sleep.
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