Doug’s World

Mom in Turkey, #2

Wherein Mom continues to not act her age …

We are at KAS tonight –a stop over on our six day cruise on a “gulet” ( a type of Turkish boat) from Fethiye to Antalya.

After our first few days in Istanbul at the beginning of our trip, we flew to Izmir, then took a bus to Kusadasi. From Kusadasi we took short trips to Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John, and the House of Mary ( the house where Jesus`´ Mother supposedly lived out the last years of her life on earth).

We also toured the ruins of Didyma, and Miletus and Priene. Then we drove inland to Pamukkale by following the Meander River. We visited the ancient city of Aphrodisias which has many sculptures from the Roman Era. One thing that amazes me is that these old ruins are so unprotected. You walk through them and can climb over stuff, or pose in or around them (for example, you can climb into a sargophasus and have your picture taken laying in it).

After Aphrodasia, we stopped at the travertine pools–and we waded in them. You can no longer swim in them, but there is a large commercial complex of mineral pools,cabins,shops, and resturants on this site for tourists who want to experience the healing effects of these mineral waters.

The drive from Pannukkale to Fethiye was a beautiful drive through the Turkish countryside—dropping from 4,000 feet to sea-level.

At Fethiye we boarded our gulet. There are two boats for our group of 21–one boat has 7 passengers and a crew of three; the other boat is bigger and has 14 passengers and a crew of five. Janet and I are on the smaller boat.

Instead of having dinner aboard that first night , we walked in to Fethiye and had dinner at a fish resturant. we has good fish (amber jack) , good vegetables, good bread, good fruits, good desserts, good weather, and good fellowship. Who could ask for more?

Tonight we are moored at a marina; but the last two nights we have anchored in small secluded coves The meals on the gulets are excellent. Twice I have put my swimsuit and a life vest on and gone into the sea. I don´t stay in long because the water is cold (68 or 69 degrees F.) Each day there were hikes (we would be taken ashore by the Zodiac)–I only went on one that was short (one hour). The trail was a real challenge–loose rocks almost all the way.

That sort of brings you up to date on what we have done and seen so far. I hope to get one more message sent before we start for home.

LaVonne

This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 9:31 pm. You can subscribe to comments on this post through its RSS feed.