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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Cappadocia Turkey, TR

The land of beautiful horses.

Have you been there? 

Come.  I will take you there :-)

There was a bus pick-up at 1830 in Sultanahmet, then we were transfered to bigger bus "Nevsehir".  The bus will then stop at the Nevsehir bus station in Cappadocia.  And from  Nevsehir station, the driver transfered us yet again to smaller bus to Avanos, 11 km approx 15 mins.    The whole trip took about 12 hours, trully.

The bus stopped several times to give it's passengers and driver a break.  It is advisable to always keep coins in pocket.  The "banyo" (bathroom) is not free, have to pay TL1 for "bay" (men) and "bayan" (women) for toilet use. 

I was pretty amazed by the service on the bus.  There was bus attendant gave complimentary water to the passengers, followed by candies, then later on a selection of coffee or tea plus cup cakes.  Each seat has TV monitors with headset and on top of that wi-fi on the go.  Better than aircraft.

Coskun Cavdar, bus attendant

Flying air balloons are seen as we get closer to Cappadocia, a very pleasant view on the sunsire. Scene of a promise of wonderful stay in Cappadocia.

Our Kabul fligths gave us training on dragging our luggage as it has to pass series of counters and long walk. Am I well trained?  Oh no, not for this long walk with 2 weeks clothes luggage.  No, I'm not complaining, just saying lol.

We finally reached the place where we are going to stay, the antique Kirkit Pansion. 

Kirkit Pansion

We had then our breakfast along with the other guests.  Plates are made from the red clay pottery.  On the table are coffee, tea, different choices of jams,bread,cheeze, fries, tomatoes and olives. 

Annie (front) and beside of me where from Canada,

they were on the same bus from Istanbul

We have three days and two nights in Cappadocia.  That's only three days, so have to maximize our stay there.  Am I tired from the trip?  Oh yes!...but no!  Can't wait to start the day. 

First day, our arrival day.  There was no tour scheduled for that day.  In the morning we explore Avanos Town.  Walked around the park and in the market till we starved.  Tried Kebab for lunch in a local restaurant and went back to the pansion house.  Before going to the pansion we dropped by to travel office and asked for the next day tour.  What's for the afternoon?  What about the idea of horse back riding?  I like that.  Booked for two hours horse back riding later in the afternoon before sunset.  

Went up to the room to recharge body and batteries.  Excited for this afternoon :-).

       

My First Equestrian Encounter >>>more

Second day: 

Want to extend hours to stay in bed, it was peaceful and cold night.  Need no AC or fan.  Have to maintain closed windows otherwise it's going to be more cold, as we are facing the river. 

Get up!  Took shower and had breakfast, by 9am we have to be down. 

Had a fast walk to reach the bus station, my fellow understood that we have to be there at the bus station by 9am.  Thought we were late because we haven't seen others who might be going for the tour and where is the tour bus? Does it left?  The man at a bus station's office called our travel agency, later on a van came to get us and dropped back where we came from.  Ngeeeee!  Nice start there.  Imagine raising your adrenaline level by walking fast not to be late at the call time hahahahaha! 

These are the places we visited:

Uchisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia  >>> more

Cavusin Village,  >>> more

Rose Valley - which has amazing beautiful red rock formations >>> more

Urgup, see theTrinity, Three Beauties >>> more

Turusan Wine Distillery  - The  first and biggest wine company in Cappadocia.

Devrent Valley  The animal shaped chimneys, also called "Pink Valley".>>> more 

Lunch and visit Avanos - which is famous for its potteries  >>> more

Pasabagi - The Monks Valley  >>> more

Goreme Open Air Museum - The cave churches, UNESCO World Heritage   >>> more

Rose Valley >>>more









Third day: 
Had breakfast after taking shower and this time no raising of adrenaline.  Relax.  It's going to be a long day.

Places visited:

Ihlara Canyon >>> more, 

Underground City of Derinkuyu>>> more

Selime Cathedral >>> more.

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