pinkbirdflies

The joys of travelling….squat toilets…all part of the experience! Troy was a city that existed over 4000 years ago on the sea. Very little remains and historians are still at odds as to whether or not the Trojan Horse was a myth or reality. Another replica exists in Canakkale also where we spent the night before crossing over to the Gallipolli Peninsular.

Before leaving Pamukkale we visited a local market and the ‘red water’ thermal springs that the local Turkish people use. After four hours driving through Turkey and lunch in a Turkish tent, we reached the town of Selcuk from where we explored Ephesus which is one of the best preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean and a fantastic example of Roman architecture.

Left Fethiye after looking at the hillside tombs for a fairly long drive through the Turkish countryside and large towns to the very unique ‘cotton castle’ of Pamukkale. This amazing natural phenomenon was created by deposits from the thermal waters cascading down the mountainside over many years forming pools and terraces. The ruins of Hierapolis which once had roman baths are above the formations and we watched the sun set from the ancient theatre after soaking in the warm waters and swimming amongst ruined columns of Cleopatras pool.

Visited the Lycian site of Xanthos exploring the ruins in very hot conditions! Drove through mountains covered in Pine tress to the Greek ghost town of Kayakoy where the population deserted the thriving township to be repatriated back to Greece. Fethiye is a large town situated on a bay and we enjoyed seafood from the local fish market for dinner.

A absolutely beautiful day cruising around the bays of the Turkish coast from Kekova on a lovely boat hosted by a Turkish family. The water was sublime in colour and temperature for lots of swimming in the bays and inlets. Fresh fish barbecued for dinner! So relaxing…my kind of day!

Drove along the coast to the Lycian city of Phaselis now just ruins set around three picturesque bays in which we swam in the warm clear water! Lunch was fresh trout in the mountains at a ‘waterfall’ restaurant. We reached Kas (pronounced Karsh) which was originally a fishing village and now a lovely holiday town with bougainvilleas and fish restaurants….you can see across to a Greek Island.

Visited the Mosque and tomb of Mervlana the founder of the Sufi and Whirling Dervishes which was just lovely but no photos allowed. Passed through flat farmland and crossed the Mountain Range to the Mediterranean coastal plain which was immediately more humid and the land quite fertile. Passed may crops of citrus, pomegranate, corn, stone fruit, vegetables and cotton which is amazingly all still handpicked here in turkey! Called in to see the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Aspendos which was stunning. Also saw an Aqueduct which are incredible feats of construction. Arrived in the city of Antalya and strolled the Mall before dinner near the main square where Muslim women were protesting in regards to a massacre in Syria they feel is being ignored. Walked home to the sound of the call to prayer again!

Travelled through the Cappadocia region to the Village of Belisirma (where the women wore amazing pants!). The group explored the incredible underground city of Derinkuyu where the whole town lived when under seige…kitchens, chapel, school, food storage and stables, water supply, hospital and morgue, it was all there…absolutely amazing. We hiked through the Valley of Ilhara following the Melendiz River passing caves and Byzantine cave chapels with biblical frescoes.Called in to a Caravanserai which were the ‘hotels’ for travellers and traders on the old silk routes  We arrived in the city of Konya and dined near the Mosque walking back to the hotel to the sound of call to prayers for the Muslims.

Rose Valley…Gozleme…Middle Castle…Turkish Dinner…Apple tea…Cherry Vodka…