We woke to a glorious morning with the early sun lighting up the sheer rock faces of Butterfly Valley.
Bernie and Graham's big adventure
Thursday 28 March 2024
Kabak
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Lycian Way, Likya Yolu
We were up early in order to have a good deal of our uphill walking in the shade before the sun became too fierce. We found a lovely little patisserie open and they served great coffee with a slice of hot apple cake straight out of the oven, yum! We had to carry a lot of water today as there were no water fountains for 10ks and the track was pretty much old goat herding trails so no fancy cafes or shops to be found.
We crossed paths with stock roaming free and you could hear cow bells high up in the hills. There were wild flowers everywhere, so pretty.
Tuesday 26 March 2024
Oludeniz
We are on the way to start our big trek on the Lycian Way / Likya Yolu. Today we made it to Oludeniz, just over a big hill from Fethiye.
But before I get into the glories of Oludeniz just an observation. They sure do smoke a lot here. I've seen so many people, young and old puffing away like chimneys. I did a bit of digging and a total of 31.2% of adults (approximately 16 million) aged 15 years and older are smokers, only 15% of smokers are women. So then I got to thinking how expensive cigarettes are in NZ, (approx $35 a pack) how can Turkish people afford to smoke? Well you won't believe this, it's 56 Turkish Lira for a pack 20 Marlborough, so about $2.90 NZ! No wonder the streets are littered with icky cigarette buts and the out doors has a whiff of ciggy pong. You don't see anyone vaping here, the only vapers are Poms on holiday necking their larger'sðŸ¤
Right back to lovely Oludeniz. You can see why they call it the turquoise coast, the water is so blue.
Travellers discovered the area in the sixties when there were just basic camping sites, a spectacular beach and a hidden lagoon. Hippies and backpackers soon followed as the word got out and now it's a full on resort with beach bars and tourist touts. When you see signs for 'full English breakfast' you know it's not good. The beach was beautiful and quiet today. It's pre season and the beach bars and cabanna's are busy getting spruced up for May when the season starts. Glad we saw it uncrowded and peaceful. Just the paragliders gently floating down from the massive cliffs above the bay.
As the years went by, trading ships passed through the bay, and the lagoon became awash pirates. It's now a protected National Park. No pirates anymore but watched as a wild boar came out of the forest and trotted along the beach.
Monday 25 March 2024
Amyntas Rock Tombs
What a beautiful morning in Fethiye. Spring is definitely in the air. We set off to find a nice spot to have coffee and boy did we find a beauty. Check out the view from this crowns nest outdoor table.
Coffee on board we went in search of some Lycian rock tombs carved into the hillside. We passed a shepherdess walking her flock.
Not too much further up the road we came to the Amyntas tombs.
As you look up you can suddenly see a range of tombs sprinkled across the cliff face.
This impressive looking tomb was built in 350 BC! It was named after the Greek inscription on the side of it which reads "Amyntou tou Ermagiou", which translated to English means "Amyntas, son of Hermagios". The tomb was built by the Lycians who lived in this area which at the time was part of the Persian Empire.
There was plenty of sweet treats to be tempted by, they look so pretty.
Saturday 23 March 2024
Fethiye
So it's so long humble little village of Pamukkale and the blue and white Cotton House Hotel. We weren't tempted by the upside down house, meant to attract tourists, sadly it's a bit of a fail.