Antalya
Antalya
Antalya
Antalya
ANTALYA
We reached seaside Antalya in late afternoon, and our driver unloaded us a short walk over cobblestone streets to our boutique hotel, the Ninova. We were now officially “on vacation from our vacation” for two nights.
As was often the pattern in a new place, Taylan took us on an orientation walk through the old city to show us some landmarks for finding our way around (and back to our hotel!) and to show us the good seafood restaurants on the harbor. He also counted heads of who wanted to go on a boat ride and/or go to the Turkish baths so he could make arrangements for tomorrow.
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Our hotel was in the old pedestrian city, and passing through nearby Hadrian’s Gate took us to the tram and into modern Antalya.
Our hotel in Antalya
Our Antalya hotel had a great location, a charming courtyard breakfast area, tiny rooms, and hard beds.
Antalya's ancient Roman harbor
Tour Day 9: Antalya
This was a wonderful relaxing break on our tour, and I was ready for one, since I had been in Turkey for 13 days now.
Antalya has a hot, tropical climate in summer, but in late October was sunny and warm for a boat trip along the Turquoise Coast. In the distance we could see the row of big resort hotels, with a million hotel rooms catering mostly to Russian tourists.
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Near the waterfall, there's an opportunity for a swim!
My Ukrainian friend in Atlanta told me Antalya is Russians’ Mexico. Beach weather, not too far, not too expensive.
Antalya Archeological Museum
I took the tram to the Antayla Archeological Museum to see the sculpture. Taylan was great about giving us directions for finding places on our own, but at some point I lost track of exactly where I was along the tram route. I asked a young man on the tram if I were near my stop yet — it was the next one, also his stop — and he walked with me down the long path to the entrance because he wasn’t sure it would still be open.
This kindness was typical of many people I crossed paths with in Turkey. His English was quite good, and while walking, he asked me where I am from. When I answered “the US” he replied, “That is my dream.”
This museum has a fine collection of Roman sarcophagi, Christian illuminations, Greek statues, Roman glass objects....
i'm really here for the lions
tour day 10: antalya to pamukkale
What we probably sounded like, all twenty-four of us bumping our roll-aboards over the cobblestones early this morning when most of Antalya was trying to sleep!
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Our first stop after leaving Antalya was the weekly farmers' market in Korkuteli. This one was completely different from the other markets we've visited. Local farmers bring their crops to town and spread them on tarps on the ground.
korkuteli farmers market
My conversation with this friendly lady:
Me: "Merhaba. Günaydın!"
She: "Merhaba!"
Me: "English?"
She: "Deutsche?"
Me: "Ja, Bitte!!"
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We discovered we both had lived in Germany and we could converse in German!
Before we left Korkuteli, Taylan showed us an ice cream shop where we could try the local specialty - smoked ice cream. It must be an acquired taste. My best description: licking an ash tray.