Turkey

June 12.

2:25 After leaving the Myra Ruins, we head to the western shoreline of Turkey known as the Emerald coast. We pass by many many greenhouses which provide a large percentage of produce for Turkey.

3:18 The Emerald Coast.

5:20 In Fethiye we board a gulet, our home for the next four days. Each couple as well as the 2 single travelers in our group had their own staterooms with en-suite bathrooms and showers. In addition to the captain and an excellent chef there were 2 additional crew members.

6:00pm Pretty flowers and a bit of food to snack on greet us as we get settled.

7:39 Nurdan took a few photos of our boat sitting pretty at our first mooring spot.

Our first dinner.

Ahhhhh....

7:41 Another photo of our boat taken by Nurdan.

First sunset on our Gulet.

June 13. We start our exploration of the Turquoise Coast.

5:19AM The sun rises early and the water is like glass. It's lovely here!

8:16 We've motored to a location south along the coast near the island of Gemiler. A member of the crew is catching a bite for a later meal!

8:25 Pat enjoying the perch at the front of our zodiac as we head to Gemiler Beach which is on the mainland.

We're in the first of 2 zodiacs heading to shore.

8:28 Linda and Emerson are part of the first group to land and await the others.

Here's the second group docking and de-boarding. From Gemiler Beach we will take a short bus drive to Kayakoy.

9:06 We begin our education of this area.

Kayokoy was once a town of about 600 homes populated by Anatolian Greeks. After the Turkish War of Independence the town's Greek population was relocated to Greece but the town was not reoccupied by Turks coming back from Greece. Kayokoy is now a ghost town.

9:11 We head up the hill.

9:24 Chris walks down one of the lanes in the old town.

9:26 Nurdan explains how after the population exchange with Greece, this town was abandoned as the newly relocated Turks didn't have the know how to make a living in this tough terrain.

9:33 Group photo facing uphill...

9:40 ...and now downhill!

6/13 9:38 The round object in the foreground is a cistern for storing water.

9:42 More exploring.

10:00 We pass by this church with closed and locked gates.

10:02 A few minutes later, we spot Phil, Jason and Emerson.

10:02 How'd they all get in there? Jason!

10:03 Jason explores the church grounds.

10:03 Inside of the church.

10:03 The church was built in 1910 and the city abandoned in 1923.

10:20 Another general view of the town.

10:21 Back from our hike.

10:25 Pat surrounded by flowers in her favorite color - purple!

10:29 Ahh, refreshments!

11:05 Interesting wire artwork outside the gift shop adjacent to the restaurant.

11:07 More of this artwork.

11:07 This gentleman opened his gift shop just for us.

11:08 At the adjacent bar we look at pictures of some of the Turkish settlers who came in after the Greeks had to leave.

11:34 Heading back to our gulet.

6/13 11:58 And now time to enjoy the Mediterranean waters.

12:52 Our group enjoying some wine after our swim.

5:32pm After cruising north for several hours, we have reached the next mooring location in a secluded bay near Cleopatra's Baths.

7:41 Linda and Nurdan.

7:45 Our evening meal.

8:39 Relaxing after dinner. This is also where some of us sleep at night under the stars.

8:40 Letting our clothes dry overnight.

June 14.

1:35am Linda snaps this photo in the middle of the night. Sleeping under the stars is heavenly.

5:07am Waking up to another beautiful morning!

We've motored to another location where we moor, then dingy to the local beach for a hike.

Looking back on our boat.

8:16 On the hike Chris has a shoe blowout. Some gaffers tape came to the rescue.

8:17 Group proceeding on hike. Jason and Roberta are way ahead of us at this point.

8:29 Phil and Roger stop to seemingly say "ta-da!".

8:50 Roberta and Jason reached the top of the hill for the days climb and made this greeting for Nurdan!

8:52 Ancient ruins probably of a military outpost/watchtower.

8:55 People scratch out a living in this arid area.

9:34 Chris and Linda, having returned to gulet ahead of the others, get a jump on a refreshing post hike swim.

9:39 Linda enjoying a moment of Mediterranean Zen!

5:03pm We cruise away from Fethiye Korfezi and out into the Mediterranean and spend a good part of the day motoring north to Ekinjik Harbor. We visit the local beach that afternoon to have a swim among the locals.

6:30 A fine place to kayak.

6:37 The kitchen area on the gulet.

7:24pm Watching our dinner being dished out - Stephen, Chris, Roger and Melinda.

June 15.

7:51am Bees would often fly around our meals. This morning, one bee didn't want to give up on the delicous meal but did object to being inadvertently eaten by Linda. Ouch! Our chef gave her garlic to reduce the swelling from the sting inside her lip.

8:33 We're heading out for todays's visit to Kaunos.

9:04 We pass by Turtle beach as we head into the Dalyan Bogazi River. There were permanent fish traps at some spots.

9:20 Continuing up the Dalyan Bogazi River which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the inland Koycegiz Golu (sea).

9:50 We reach land and take a rest break before heading to Kaunos.You have a choice of toilet types here. This was the only place we ever saw a squat toilet.

9:47 Kaunos is also spelled Caunus in some places.

10:26 The Domed Church in Kaunos, described.

The Domed Church in Kaunos.

10:27 We check out what remains of the church.

10:28 The channel in this base was used to pour in lead in order to make a tight fit between the pin connecting the column to the base. .

10:29 We didn't understand why they had strong arches filled in with pieces that would break.

10:44 Description of the Theater of Caunus (Kaunos)

10:46 Theater

10:47 Another view of theater.

This one had a way of changing the scenery during an event.

10:53 Kaunos

Circular Building - Observation Platform.

More of Kaunos.

11:17 At first seeing the new marble looked odd and wrong but it really shows how it looked like when it was built.

11:42 Back on our small boat as we head to Dalyan, we pass the Lycian Rock Tombs built into this cliff.

11:47am Approaching dock for a rest break in Dalyan.

12:10pm Jason and Robera enjoying drinks at La Boheme restaurant dockside in Dalyan.

12:40 Heading back down the river.

12:44 Smiles and rabbit ears!

1:05 We're approaching the schoals where we leave the river and head into the sea.

1:11pm Feeling the waves as we transition from the river to the Mediterranean Sea!

1:45 Heading back to our boat.

1:55 Lunch on the boat.

5:08pm Melinda and Roger enjoy a swim.

6:39pm Chris, Nurdan, Stephen and Marilyn enjoying some wine before dinner. This is our last evening on the gulet.

June 16.

6:16 Our captain, helper and Suleman.

7:27 Maramis Port where we prepare to depart our gulet.

7:45 But first we enjoy our final breakfast on the gulet.

8:12 Our cabin. We are all packed ready to disembark in Marmaris.

8:23 Our group photo with crew before saying our goodbyes.

8:39 Statue of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey, in Maramis Port.

9:47 We take about a 3 hr bus ride from Marmaris (away from the coast) and up to Selcuk. Here we're near the town of Mugla.

11:16 Still on the road, we're about a little over halfway to our destination as we pass Cine Adnan Mendares Lake.

12:37 Now in Selcuk, we look up to the castle area that sits above the town.

12:42 In Selcuk - we see Egyption Storks (we've seen many during our trip).

12:47 While we were eating lunch in Selcuk, another OAT trip leader (far right) shows up to deliver a pair of slacks that Phil left at a prior hotel!

1:46 Another monument to Ataturk here in Selcuk

2:01 We enter the Basilica of St. John guarded by the usual fierce animal.

2:16 Nurdan tells us more about the church.

St Jean Kikisesiis the Turkish name for the Basilica of St John).

2:11 A view from St. Jean.

2:19 St Jean

2:22 Basilica St John

2:25 St Jean - That carved out area between Emerson and Roger was where baptisms were performed.

2:25 Basilica St John

2:26 Basilica St John

St Jean .

2:41 Nearby St Jean's is Ayasuluk Kalesi (Castle) built in the 6th century A.D. and it sits like a crown on the head of Selcuk.

3:04 More information on the area.

3:58 A short time later we arrive at the Charisma Hotel in Kusadasi and check out our pretty room.

3:59 We have a gorgeous Mediterranean view from our balcony.

5:57 Emerson enjoying the hotel pool.

8:33 Sunset from hotel's dining level.

9:03 Another view from our our hotel balcony.

June 17. We visit Ephesos

8:41 Some history.

8:47 Map of Ephesos

9:04 Excavated water tile.

9:20 The Odeon of Ancient Ephesus is a small, semi-circular theater originally constructed in 2nd century A.D. and served as a space for political meetings, social events, concerts and theatrical performances. The harbor used to be visible from here but due to silting it is now a couple of miles away.

9:20 Another view of the Odeon with Emerson.

9:20 This view from the Odeon shows the arid countryside.

9:23 Along our walk we come across this arched doorway.

9:26 Looking toward the Library. This had once been a covered walkway.

9:41 We can see that this main road called Curetes Street was well traveled.

9:50 Connecting/redirecting pieces for the water tiles were made of stronger material that wouldn't erode.

9:51 A closer look at the well worn path.

9:58 Another visitor taking a break among the columns of the Temple of Domitian on this hot sunny day in Ephesus.

10:02 Ephesus

10:03 Memnius Monument in Ephesus was erected in the 1st century AD under the reign of Augustus.

10:05 Group photo as we head on down the road to the Library.

10:08 We pass through the Gate of Hercules in Ephesus.

10:19 Our group trys to stick together as we head down the road...that's Pat, Chris, Phil, Roberta and Nurdan (in pink in mid photo).

10:19 The Trajan Fountain in Ephesus was built in 2nd century AD and erected in honor of the Emperor Trajan.

10:30 Scholastica Baths in Ephesus - originally built in 1st century AD. Baths were used for socializing and discussions and were highly valued in Roman culture.