Antalya

So, the drive to Antalya was through some really scary huge mountains. And Turkish driving is not like American driving. I never felt like I was going to die, but I can admit there were a few moments that I feared for safety. There aren't as many guard rails and the mountains are steep and the roads are curvy. The middle line isn't a dividing line as much as a line to follow and people honk their horns to warn other drivers they're coming around curves.

Plus, the weather in Turkey is really hot and sunny. My arm got terribly sunburned- something I didn't realize until the next day when it looked like I was half lobster. Halfway through the Taurus Mountains the humidity hit us. Cumra was hot but dry and felt like an escape after the dripping humidity of Istanbul...once we arrived in Antalya, Mustafa, Alice, and I all thought we were going to melt. Antalya is this massive sprawling city that happens to be a resort spot for lots of Europeans, although we saw better beaches when we left for Kas (near Ali's hometown and three hours away). When we were driving into the city, Alice and I were looking around and wondering where the water was because the whole city is surrounded by mountains...we really didn't see water until we'd been in the city for almost an hour, and then I was really relieved...it was really, really hot there!

We stayed in Antalya for one night, but Ali was a fabulous host and set up a distinct schedule for us. The next morning we set out for Kas, a town further along the coast, much less humid, and much more beautiful. Half way there, Ali said "Oh no, I think we're lost" and turned down this windy, mountain dirt road leading to down into the depths of a emerald mountain valley. About ten minutes later it became fairly obvious that we were not lost... We ended up at a restaurant set on the side of a beautiful valley with water flowing everywhere and the eating areas (meals are served on a raised table or dais and all the people sit on cushions around the raised surface) resting on the water. Our seats were, however, in a tree...really, in a tree.

After a delicious dinner we continued toward Kas and ended up there rather late at night, tired, hot, but entirely surprised by the view afforded by the place we were staying. (Another surprise planned by Ali, we were staying in an apartment that some of his friends owned and he tried to act like we were just going to his house, but he had to get directions from his brother-in-law, so it was a little obvious he had something up his sleeve.)

The coast of Turkey is littered with tons of old ruins and buildings and tombs and beaches and Ali did everything in his power to make sure we got a taste of everything. We spent one day on a boat on the waters off Kekova- absolutely clear, crystal blue waters- and swam above the ruins of an ancient Lydian/Roman city. The whole area has been flooded since the city was inhabited, so if you look under the water there are old stairways and buildings and pottery leading up to the island shores. In addition, there are tombs littering the mountain tops and everything is old but still holds some power...

We also visited the longest beach in Turkey (I think Patara, but I can't remember exactly) and some of the other resort towns. All beautiful, Mediterranean villa towns with mosaics and bazaars and ancient ruins.