Turkeys M Hideaways Day 16
Turkeys M Hideaways
Day 16 - 04/22/06 Disembark Gulet/Drive to Kusadasi/Visit Basilica of St. John
Because we had packed up our luggage last night, we were able to shower and have our breakfast and then enjoy our last few hours on the Senkaya. The captain raised the anchor and we motored a short distance to the harbor at Gocek Bay, a town we are getting to know well.
We commandeered another sailor to take a group picture of all of us and then the crew unloaded our luggage and we walked along the pier to our awaiting minibus and our new driver, Mehmet. We bid a fond farewell to our captain and crew - they really were a tolerant and friendly group!
Our drive this morning took us back over the same mountain road we traveled yesterday to get to Dalyan. We are driving this morning because of the storm at sea and although this is a more direct route inland, it still took four hours. We passed small towns with fertile green fields and then up and over the mountains to the town of Mugla where we stopped at 11 AM for a break.
It began to rain, but it was a travel day so we have lucked out again with the weather. While we were at the travel shop Meltem bought some local Turkish candy for us to try - too sweet for me, but Gennie loved it!
As we drove along parallel to the Aegean Coast but well inland, we saw many marble products as the quarries are everywhere in the hills. Huge blocks of marble are waiting to be cut for use in homes and buildings as common practice because it is very inexpensive here.
As we continued north and west towards Kusadasi, we saw groves and groves of olives and fig trees. Meltem told us about the processing of both products.
At the junction of the two major highways in this area we stopped for a 1 o'clock lunch break. Along the road were local small restaurants all with young men standing on the side of the road beckoning us to choose their site. Meltem chose one to the disappointment of all the others. They had a limited menu, our choices were meatballs, sausage, or little bite sized pieces of steak on a stick. All of this was served with a flat pita bread, grilled onions and tomatoes, and the ever present tomato and cucumber salad.
For our discovery of the afternoon we viewed the ruins of the 6th-century Basilica of St. John, very important to the Christian religion. The Grand Circle Foundation has supported the excavation efforts of this historical religious site.
During the first century AD St. John and St. Paul came to this large city on the Aegean Sea to preach the Christian gospel. St. John died here and was buried in a small church. During the 6th century this huge Byzantine basilica was built over the tomb of St. John.
As we overlooked the valley from St. John's we could see the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is now in ruins with only one column still standing. The valley was once the harbor of this seaport but has now silted over for fertile farm land.
As we arrived in Kusadasi at about 4 PM, our hotel, just outside the city, is particularly beautiful, located on a distinctive promontory beside the sea. There are beautiful gardens, an ocean bathing area, and splendid views of the Aegean.
Gennie and I decided to walk to town as the hotel's internet was not working due to renovations. We had a chance to see this resort town getting ready for the upcoming tourist season with the big cruise ships and tour groups.
At 5:30 we returned to the hotel, showered and then met our group for drinks in the bar. At 7:30 we joined Meltem and her husband for a buffet dinner at the hotel restaurant overlooking the marina.
Accommodations: Kusadasi Kismet Hotel - - - Meals: B, L, D
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