Cappidocia

Day 18 - Canyon View Hotel was once a church in a cave. Now it is a gorgeous pension in Cappidocia.
Our room is also a warm cozy cave.
Up at 5 A.M. to experience our hot air balloon ride over a surreal landscape.......
preparing to take off.
Over 30 balloons drift over the surreal landscape... We drift just over the tops of volcanic columns and trees.
Something right out of a SCI - FI movie! Scenes from this area were actually used in the original Star Wars Movie.

We land and they crack open the bottle of champagne (we have orange juice).
A great experience as you can tell from Jan's smile.

Goreme - Turkey

Day 19 - This Castle was once used as a Christian Monastery. You can still climb to the top through a series of caves in the column.
As we walked through the Rose Valley it reminded us of the Grand Canyon and the badlands of Alberta.It was a great place for Ralph to relax and check out the view.
These caves in this village were totally inhabited up to 1952. Because of the safety factor, all the people was relocated.
This Christian church was built about the 4th Century and was used up until the 9th Century. After this period it was used as a home for many different families.
Paul established a very strong Christian base in this area which lasted until approx 1930 just after WWI when many Christians left Turkey for other parts of the world.

The Fairy Chimneys were very magical to see. We expected to find Gnomes or Hobbits hiding in the caves. Lava formed the crown and sandstone mixed with lava the base.

Konya Turkey

Day 17 - Konya - Turkey's religious capital. It has a very Middle Eastern feel. It is said that Konya is one of the oldest civilizations going back to 7000BC.
Many interesting sites including the Mevlana (Whirling dervish) museum. The fluted dome of turquoise tiles is seen for miles.
Walking the streets of Konya you find many unique areas with many interesting shops.
Dinner anyone? How about a sheep's head complete with teeth?

The Whirling Dervishers originate from Konya and area. The dance is part of the Fire Anatolia performance.

Fire of Anatolia

Day 16 - This dance performance is outside at the Gloria Aspendos Arena 9:15Pm - 12midnight the temperature is around 8C a little chilly.
It reminds us of River Dance with a Turkish twist.
Many of the dances are a blend of many cultures. This show is based on the Turkish culture from the Ottoman time. The Ottoman empire was very large including Eastern Europe, Greece, many of the Islands, and the Middle East.

Another Day in Antalya

Day 16 -The walks around the parks are gorgeous and the Ice Plants are huge! This is actually the city of yellow daisies. Paul came through this area on his trip to Ephesus and spent some time here. You can find old church ruins that are named after him.
It is always fun to see what the locals are making.
Even the ducks and geese are enjoying the warmer weather.
Now I wonder if the Turkey Ice cream is as good as the Italian. We'll let you know!! This was very good.
This is the real reason we are still here!!!! The production is tonight and is world acclaimed

Antalya

Day 15 - The Roman Harbour is extremely busy.
Some relax sitting on the cliff.
Hadrians Gate is the entry to the old town ( 117 AD ).
Walking down the narrow streets there are many examples of the Ottoman Empire. The "sled" looking boards were used to thrash wheat.
Ottoman House.

Kaleici - Old Antalya

Day 14 - As we arrive in Antalya it makes us a little homesick as the coast line is a little like Vancouver. The weather is warm......sun is shining and we decide to extend our stay here for an extra day. Our poor tour director has to change all of our arrangements. This is the beach prior tourist season which gets going full force May 1st.
Antalya is a very modern city but we are staying in the Old Antalya .........Kaleici. We sit at our supper table at the Hidirlik Tower, (1 st Century AD ) overlooking the Mediteranean and the mountain background. It is 100 meters from the Old Ottaman Pension we are staying at.
The old Tower Clock.

The Broken Minaret was the site of the Roman temple ( 2 nd Century) Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary ( 6th Century ) and Mosque ( 9th century ) before turning back to the church! Quite a history!!!!

Tour de France - " ALLA TURK"

Day 13th - Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey Apr 12 - Apr 19th. The leader is on his way to Antalya from Kumluca. The race started in Istanbul and ends in Alanya following the coastline.

We are leaving Olympus and are caught in a road closure, as the cycle tour passes. (approx. 50 competitors)

Treehouse in Olympus

Day 12 - Olympus Hotel called the Bay Treehouse is set in an orange grove, in the valley just before where old Olympus was. Do not confuse this with Olympus in Greece.
Because of the continual flames coming out of the ground it was thought to be the Olympus of Greece. The Chimera Flames are gases that mix with air and ignite into a continuous flame. We headed out at 9 P.M. and drove for 1/2 hour until we got to the park. A tricky 1K walk straight to the top and even harder coming down using flash lights........all that for a bonfire!!!
As you head to the sea by this stream you pass some incredible ruins. This portion of the trail has been turned into an National park.
Amazing pieces of mosaics laying around in the area of the temple.
At the end of the trail you come out on the most beautiful beach. This is a popular place for the Hostel crowd as it is inexpensive and no vendors.

Surprise!!

Annette (our hostess) arranged for a Birthday cake and we surprised Jan!
Chocolate mousse cake decadents at is finest!

12 Island Tour

Day 11 - Leaving Fethiye for the day cruise of the 12 Islands off the coast.
Our boat moored at our first stop for tea.
Fisherman resting after a morning fish run.
The water is so clear.
The Islands are magnificent.
The light house at the mouth of the bay was stunning.
A great place to swim but a long climb down.

Blue Lagoon

Day 10 - Start the day with Island Tea (a sage tea very tasty with sugar) I love the varieties of tea in Turkey; Kiwi, Pomegranate, Turkey Tea, Sage, Apple, Lemon and the list go's on. Turkey is so much about food and dining. (so much for weight loss).
The Blue Lagoon Beach at Oludeniz. A 30min ride from Fethiye. We rated this in our top 5 beaches we have visited.
Paragliding is the sport of this Bay.
The 7 specks in the clouds are not vultures. Jumping off the mountain would not be my favorite thing to do, but fabulous to watch while lying on the sand.