Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Selcuk, Izmir, Turkey, TR

Selcuk 


Pronounce as Sel-chuk is located in Izmir, Turkey.  It is one of the most visited place in Turkey for holy ancient city of Ephesus,   House of Mary,  Basilica of St. John,  Temple of Artemis and Selcuk works.

Ephesus was once the trade centre of the ancient world, a religious centre of the early Christianity and now a days is an important tourism centre in Turkey.
Celsus Library

Memmius Monument

The Great Theater

Tourists

So many of them and I was one of them :-)

Temple of Hadrian


House of Mary - located a the top of Bulbul mountain about 9km ahead of Ephesus.  It has been the place where Virgin Mary spent her last few days. 


House of Mary,  People here are hearing Mass
Crowd just came out from the House of Mary


Wishing  Wall - here ties white piece of cloth, some tissues, papers where wishes are written
Mass taking place during our visit at the House of Mary

Collecting Holy Water

Souvenirs for my mom from the House of Mary

Temple of Artemis - Is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built in the flat area of Ephesus.  Today displays only some ruins of the foundation.  The remains is being exhibited at the Selcuk Museum. 



Isa Bey Mosque  (below)- the columns used inside the house of prayer are from earlier ruins of Ephesus



Leather Company - Turkey is known for its leather and one of  the good thing about their tourism industry is that they are not just promoting the natural and ancient sites but also promoting and helping some companies, just like this one.

Modeling Leather Jackets




Beach time - relaxing time :-)













Selcuk
Izmir, Turkey
October 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Myra (Demre) Turkey, TR



Referred previous reading: >>> Kekova


Not getting so far, yet still part of a big province of Antalya, here I come Myra.

After having visited Kekova next destination is Pamukkale.   Much wanted to stay a little bit longer in Kekova, but time does not permit so.  Guess, lucky enough that the operator/owner of Theimussa Pension where I stayed in Kekova give us a ride to the city to catch bus going to Fethiye, were supposed to catch bus to Pamukkale.

However, Filiz, Turkish female guest on the same pension house who also was on the same van that Mr. Osman is driving.  She is going to see Myra, one cultural heritage of the country which apparently not on list to visit.   While on our way,  we were encouraged to go with her to see Myra for couple of hours and that she will help us to catch the bus going to Fethiye.  Deal in on. 

he last glimpse of Kekova, one of my fave place in Turkey, calm and peaceful place.   
Hasta la vista Kekova!

Everly, Filiz and Me

Osman, Filiz and Me


We reached the bus station and Osman advised us to just leave our luggage at the station, and that we should come back at 3pm to catch the bus to Fethiye.  Sure agreed.  And Osman continued to drived us to the entrance of Myra.

Shops just outside the entrane of Myra



Paid the entrance fee and let's get in!
Myra is one of the most important towns of ancient Lycia, which has been the capital during Byzantine time.  The birthplace of St. Nicholas known as the father of Christmas.  He became a priest, rose rank to bishop.  According to the myth, he dropped small bags of coins into the chimneys of the houses with poor girl residing and old enough to marry but had no dowry.   He became a patron saint.



The Lycian Tombs



Closer look

Everly, Filiz and Me


Old theater in Myra (Demre)

Fresh orange juice to quench thirst!  


Standing outside the gate seems a bit hard to catch a ride to the bus station.  Mostly buses are parked with of course having their own tourists guests.  Filiz, as she can speak local language had an easy time to call for help.   We were given a ride for a cost, however the man invited us for a tea at his place with the great view.  He said he has his own farm which he visited and he was on his way home.  Agreed and also he must send us back to the bus station before 3pm.  Agreed.  

The view from his place

The white canopies and roofs were of fruits and vegetables plantation

At last, sitting on the bus to Fethiye, the trip took almost 4 hours.  There were several bus operators lined up at the bus station of Fethiye.  Sign boards most have trip to Pamukkale, a relief in my chest.  However, the sad part was the last trip had just left 15mins ago.  Another bus company has a van with an "only" just "one" seat available, not suited for two tired bodies :-(.

I called the hotel in Pamukkale that we're cancelling the reservation, and ofcourse a refund request there ;-),  since we missed the last bus trip to there, and asked whether they have a tie-up hotel in Fethiye.  

It wasn't hard to find hotel from there since bus operators have acommodation brochures and referals depending your budget.  Stayed at Onur Guest house with breakfast, pick and drop back to the bus station.  Aimed to catch the 7am morning trip to Pamukkale.  

We walked around the area to find a restaurant where we can have a dinner.  We're tired of shawarma and tired of long trip...had no choice but shawarma again.  Can't eat it on a big bun, so request everytime I ordered shawarma to put everything on the side and cut the bread, just like this one;

End the day with shawarma.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Kekova, Turkey, TR

Island of Kekova, part of the biggest province of Antalya, Turkey.


I enjoyed my three days of stay in Antalya and feel that aside from AspendosPergeKaleici,  WaterfallsSide, White River Rafting and  Termessos mountain tour that there still much more to do and left unseen.

The agony whether to go or not to go to Kekova left a long sighhhh.  Why?  It is going to be a long travel and thus need to change bus twice.  Choose no headache so just stick to the plan and see what lies in there.

Had to wait couple of hours at Antalya bus terminal for bus trip to Demre, then after that bus change from Demre to Kekova.  The trip to Kekova seems unending and still thinking if it is worth a visit.

Antalya Bus Terminal
It was a long journey.  When were almost there, all I can say was Hu-wow!  I love this!


Just love this winding road




I love this hidden city.  Amongst my previous days of hectic tour I now felt that I am on vacation, so peaceful and relaxing.
Theimussa Pension Cafe


Never to waste a moment here for I have only one night in Kekova.  Arrived in Kekova in the afternoon after such a long journey and scheduled to leave the following day.  So, no idle here.  Just threw my bag in the room and start to hike the hill just behind the pension house, saw so many tomb there.   And walked around the small city of Kekova.

Tombs

The Tomb Rider :-)))

Ruins





Sat for a dinner which personally prepared by Mr. Osman who operates the pension house and meet Rambo, the boat man for early morning tour.

Mr. Osman & Rambo
I miss the real food after few days of Shawarma diet


The pride and kick of Turkey drink "Raki" transforming color
I was amazed by how this clear water color of Raki turned into cloudy white when an ice cube dropped into it and finally turned into a pure white, a milk like and of some anis smell.

End the night with a peaceful and calm glimpse of the nature. 
 


Here comes the sunshine, getting ready for the boat trip to see the city which collapsed due to the earthquake - the Lycian Sunken City.  Situated in the most attractive Turkish coast of Kekova Region.  .  It has been declared as protected area in 1990, thus protect the natural, cultural and geographic richness of the region. 

Meet Sun :-). 


Lovely day indeed :-)
Ready for the boat trip :-)


That is Rambo far ahead, we're so distance busy capturing the scenery :-)



Wanna join?

Along the coast

Simena sunken city



Not so much to see in this protected area as most of it were sunken.   No swimming and diving in this area so Rambo took us to area allowed to swim.


Love the water early in the morning, awaking the sleeping soul inside of me :)

Rambo preparing tea


Me, my trip buddy Everly and the floating tea :-)

Much love to stay but time does not permit so.  Have to leave and catch the bus trip to our next tour, Pamukkale.  We returned to the boat and back to the pension where again breakfast was waiting :-). 

I love life! :-)

Breakfast is ready
And the bonus here Mr. Osman drived us to the city to catch bus to Fethiye, where again to catch bus to Pamukkale.

The long trip was worth it ;-).  


Follow me on the next trip :-).









Thanks to the following:



Mr. Osman
for the hospitality
for the delicious dinner and breakfast, 
for the free ride to the city 
and making our stay a comfortable one.  

Rambo
for the fun boat trip and
special tea delivery on the sea , that was cute :-))).




October 2011
Kekova, Turkey