"Izmir" Izmir by June.b

We did not plan to stop over in Izmir.

From Goreme, we took the night bus (Metro Transport), heading for Selcuk. Metro bus is ending up only in Izmir Terminal, so we have to catch a minibus to Selcuk, then head for Istanbul after visiting Ephesus & Pamukkale..... well......that was the plan.

Then there is this really nice person I've met inside the bus who invited us to his home in Izmir.

Rest of the story in my Travelogue .......

The minibus to Selcuk leaves every 30 minutes, comfortable and payment is made inside the bus. It's a 2-hour trip and it's scenic along the way, with those delicious-coloured orange bushes or trees plantation along the way and green hills.

The Metro bus arrived Izmir early in the morning after a long 13-hour trip, approacing Izmir is a pretty sight - houses lined up in unison across the green hills and mountains.
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View of Izmir from the Cabe Car

Third largest city in Turkey - Istanbul & Ankara being the 1st & 2nd - and has also second largest seaport.

Climate is very temperate in Izmir - not extremely cold and warm - so it's lively both day and night.

We only had a day to spend in Izmir so we did not explore much of the city.

Pronounced "bal-cho-va" - is a busy district in the town of Izmir.

People come here to experience the cable car ride up and down the very green Balcova hills, but that's not the only thing interesting about Balcova.

They have this thermal water with healing properties flowing down the skirt of the mountain much away from the busy side of the town.

Check the site of Balcova Thermal Hotel , we passed by this on the way to the cable car station down the hill. Very popular.

• Pros:A good base to explore Bergama, Troy, Canakkale, Gallipoli, Aphesus & Pamukkale
• Cons:Not much in Izmir itself except for the nice view of the ocean & the restaurants