However, the drive to Fethiye led us through beautiful farmland. From our lunch stop we were able to see a fertile valley below ( albeit hazy due to the heat) and an olive tree laden with fruit ( which only shows on enlargemant of the photo, hence not included) near our table.
We arrived to a contemporary, more continental, rather than traditional Turkish hotel. While we've loved the cultural immersion, a brief stay in the more familiar was also nice! We had a lovely view of the marina, but no direct beach access so we recovered from our drive time by relaxing poolside--as seen here from our room.
We also had a nice view of the Sea and marina, but it was even better viewed from the outdoor dining one floor above our room! You can also see that our gracious guide/host, Oya, has recovered from her cold!
I've really wanted to visit a Greek Orthodox church while in Turkey, where it was founded and where its seat still remains....in Istanbul. This Sunday, 9/11, found me particularly longing for that but still with no church to be found as the Ottomans converted them all to Mosques.
We agreed to travel to Antalya via the longer, but more scenic route, which frequently winded the Mediterranean coastline. It was absolutely spectacular!!!
The Tauras mountains were the backdrop for much of our drive. The are incredibly beautiful with large granite faces that reminded me a lot of Yosemite. It was too hazy for good pics, but I found these on the net:
En route we stopped at Myra, the city that was home to the Orthodox Bishop, later Saint, Nicholas. The Saint is entombed there and the crowds, especially from Russia where he is apparently most revered, were large and stood in long lines to place objects briefly on his sarcophagus for blessing. He lived, and this church was built, in the third century.
Another drive through harrowing, narrow passageways ( the only others we saw either brave or foolish enough-your pick- to try it were taxi drivers) and a little help from the hotel chef behind our wheel and we finally arrived very hot and tired at our final hotel, built in very traditional Ottoman style, having once been a seaside home replete with harem. Kris and Oya enjoyed another "fresh from the sea" dinner while I stuck with chicken, eaten at a restaurant built onto the old city wall which protected the city from nautical invaders. We had a very entertaining waiter! Then, early to bed preparing for our last Med day before flying back to Istanbul late tomorrow evening.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Fethiye and Antalya
No comments:
Post a Comment