Termessos, Antalya, TR

Termessos, Antalya

This part of our tour package which I booked online has been cancelled and money has been refunded.  With utmost curiousity we booked the same tour with Blue Sea Garden, the hotel where we stayed in Kaleici, Antalya also operates tour. 

It turned out to be a best deal.  For Termessos and waterfalls refunded amount, we paid it for Termessos, Duden Falls but without guide and Rafting!!!!  Really best to do is to book as you go.

Termessos is protected within Gulluk  Dagi National Park, 4 to 5hours to complete the tour, best time to visit in the morning as it is in the mountain, rough path and requires climbing huge rocks.   Not an easy climb.  Nevertheless, it's a fun journey up there. 

And heres why :-).

Way to the Termessos

We passed that winding road

... and we are still climbing up



I am on top of the mountain!!!



When we finally reached the gate, paid the entrance of TL10 and we were given a map.  The driver did not go with us, he just waited for us at the parking area.   It is going to be a do it yourself tour on the mountain, no guide!  Seen no other visitors.

The starting point, parking area

Because of curiosity, now we're here.
We must do it!  We can do it!
The fun begins :-).




The rough path



We started our journey trusting only a piece of map.  The path split into two which is not on the map.  Which way to go? We then have to go back for clarification, least it has not been so far.

Security, Bekir Buyruk while explaining the map

 The security guide us to where we had path confussion, to the northeast Necropolis.

Northeast Necropolis (Kuzeydogu Mezarligi)



TombTiger and Lion

Medussa's head
There is mythological belief that whom ever Medussa stared at will turn into stone, thus fighters engraved Medussa's head on their sword...belief of protection.

 Medussa's Head and angel

Monumental Tomb

Fighter symbol

 My buddy and I proceeded to our journey.

Trek!

I've been there!  I've been there!

The Lower City Wall  (Agasi Tahkimat)

City Gate

Where is it?

We continued to walked in search of what arrow may reveal.  It was a steep  and still find nothing, continued climbing in expect that there it is lying somewhere.  Wished to find other way to exit that height, hoped not to crawl down the path where we climbed.

I was not expecting for a trek on this trip and so my shoes :-)

This is it!!! Cisterns

We searched other way to go down but in vain.

Our curiosity to find the place leave us no choice but to go back from the same way.  The trying to scape the frightening slippery steep path combined with the feeling of wanting to pee, and of wanting to shed tears  resulted us to just laugh at it.    I am not studying Archeology, why we need to search thoroughly!  :-))))))

Let me down!!!

Found this cut wood that served us a hand

Gymnasium and Bath (Cimnasyum ve Hamam)

I have been there! Termessos Antalya

The Hellenistic Theater overlooking Mt. Solymus

The Hereon (Kahraman Mezari)

The Cisterns with five Partitions  (Bes Bolmeli Sarnic)

The Alcetas Tomb

After the death of Alexander the Great, there was clashed between his successors.  Alcetas, a general served with Alexnder the Great, find refuge in Termessos after having been defeated by another general Antigonus.  Alcetas commited suicide after having trapped when Antigonus claimed for his surrender to the people, and body has been mulitaled. 

Scenic View

Tomb

The Rock Tombs

Yes!  I did it!

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Kaleici, Turkey, TR

Kaleici, Antalya

Kaleici  is called the Old Antalya, the historic city center of Antalya, Turkey. 

The name Kaleiçi means "Inside the Kale" (Kale is castle or fortress). 

After having visited and explored the part of Cappadocia,  here comes our next destination, Antalya.

Antalya is the city on Medditeranean coast of southwestern Turkey.  The prominent historical name of the military leader Alexander the Great invaded the cities of Aspendos, Perge and Side to which I had the chance to visit. 

From Nevsehir, Cappadocia we took the night bus to Antalya which ran 9~10 hours.  Then transfered to a shuttle bus that was parked by the Antalya bus terminal to take us to our destination. 

Our destination Hotel Blue Sea Garden showing the map to the driver.  Confident that we were understood though  having communication barrier, no English.  

Daaaaah! Blue Garden Hotel...this ain't the hotel where we booked.  The driver dropped us along the street, was told the end road is where we are going and bus doesn't go straight there.  I am not happy about this and losing my temper.  Had the travel agency to arranged the trips to make life easier for us and save more time.  I was so tired from not having a good rest on the bus, now dragging my luggage on how far more to walk...don't know.  Not many seen walking at that time since it is still early in the morning.  Tried to asked an old man, thanks but no help :-(.  No street name even :-(.   Continued walking.  Passed the military guys on post ... finally a sign of help!  They showed the direction.   There was a man who offered help, but the  overnight spirit smell on his breath, hardly trust.  He still lead our way but still doubted his intention.   We were by the Kaleichi old compound when the hotel car picked us.  Then just realized that the man is trully leading us on the right way.  Thank him anyway.  The alley is a mazed of an old city compound and thus locating the hotel is peek-a-boo for first timer.  Saved somehow by the car. 

The room was not ready yet when got to the hotel, had to wait couple of hours till guest check-out.  I needed some time to cool down my temper, and relax my feet.   While waiting, we were offered complimentary breakfast buffet and planned where to go for that day since it's a free day.

The hotel,  Hotel Blue Sea Garden
They have swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and tours.  Operated by Yilmaz, the manager, a funny and good guy  made our stay a comfortable one.  

Blue Sea Garden Photos



From the outside

Blue Sea Garden pool

Breakfast buffet



Hmmm was not lucky enough to come in Kaleici, still not orange :-)

Love to pick you fresh :-)

Around Kaleichi 

Hotels and Restaurants

Their masterpiece, carpets

Ancient stone clock tower, The Castle Gate (Kalekapisi)

Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Camii (mosque) and it's minaret

Statue of Attalus, founder of Antalya

 

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