Perfect Paradise

This morning when we woke up at 5am there were all these little bugs all over the floor, don't think they were roaches but still really gross. We caught a shuttle to the airport and had to wait in this big long line outside in the cold to go through security. The plane served lunch, which was kind of weird because it was till pretty early. Got to Antalya and found out that the airport is basically in the middle of nowhere and the only way to get to the bus staion is by taking a cab. So we sprung for the 30 Lira and got to the bus station. Fortunately, we arrived 15 minutes before the bus to Olympos left, so we hopped on. Cutest little baby girl on their, her outfit was so adorable. Bus dropped us off at a depot where we waited 45 minutes for a bus to Kadir's Treehouses. Beautiful spot, snowcapped mountains in the distance and green all around. Really windy though, stuff was flying everywhere. The bus took us to Kadir's and it was so charming and cute. Very hippy, like that one section of Topanga Canyon. Our room is right on the river. So beautiful and the sound of the rushing water is so peaceful. Walked down to the ruins, just followed the water the whole way. The ruins are set on both side of the river and they are covered in wildflowers, it is so atmospheric. We took tons of pictures and so beautiful. Followed the river and the ruins down towards the sea. There were beautiful little streams that came from through the woods that you climbed over on rocks or ruins. We finally reached the spot where river and sea meet and wow, it was beautiful. The water in the Med Sea was the most incredible turqouise color and the waves hitting the shore sounded like rainsticks. It was starting to get late so we decided to head back. On the way we stopped to skip stones into the sea because it was so flat. This old Turkish man came up to us and started teaching us how to skip stones properly. He was like a living legend, he was getting like 13 or 14 skips at a time with these big big stones. Then we went back to the hotel in time for dinner, which was really good. Then went to our treehouses to go to sleep, the sound of the water sent us off too sleep and the electric blankets made the cold bearable.

13th- Today woke up and went to breakfast, afterwards planned to go to back to the ruins but on the way out somebody had started a bonfire and I ended up staying all day tending it. Had been longing to play with a fire and so it was perfect. Cook went to the market and then we had dinner and went to bed.

So atmospheric

14th- Happy Valentine's Day! We set off to explore the ruins today, we had seen the parts you can see from the main path so today we set off into the heart of darkness. It was a lot of fun except for the thorny vines that caught on our clothes. We picked out cool walking sticks to try and fight them off. Some of the old tombs were really cool, the roofs had long ago caved in and the insides had plants and trees and beautiful moss growing in them. Some of the remaining walls were so tall. We had to cross this stream that was deep with steep banks but thankfully not too wide, we were able to climb over. Then we stumbled upon the huge Mabat Temple, which is mostly a facade, and the facade is primarily the door. We went back to the path because there was nothing but swamp around, then by the one stream there was this funky water channel that was no longer in use, so it was more like a path. We had to climb a little to get to it but them followed it to a really nice monumental tomb and from there up up up to the remains of some old houses on the mountain side. Back down and making our was through the brush till we signs for the acropolis and then back up up up. I got to the very top and waited for Cook who was taking pictures, then went back down and we went to the beach. We walked down to the second river that meets the sea, watched some people cross it on a tractor, they almost got wet because the water was so high. We headed back to the funky path thing because we realized we'd forgotten to see something. We had to make our way through the swamp first on the wall and them on rocks till we reached the bank. The swamp water was clear but when you stuck your stick in the mud you could smell all the swamp gases. We jumped and hopped and made our way to the mosaic house, which was awesome. All the mosaics were all cattywampus all over the floor but it was such beautiful colors. We could have stayed for ages but it was starting to get dark and so we were nervous to try and get through the swamp in the dark.  Made it out alive and got back to the hotel and had dinner, then mimis.

15th- We went to go explore the other side of the river. Slow going and a bit thorny, finally hit one lonely tomb. Dead end then we took off our shoes went in the water, got around the dead end then onto the banks again. Saw an orange grove and helped ourselves to about 13 oranges. Ate some in a beautiful flower covered meadow then moved on. They were really good. So we had to cross the river again and and walk along the other bank until we found a shallow enough spot to go back across. At this point we had hit the actual start of the ruins. There were huge necropolis that went on forever. Some had really huge buildings and some had really ornate sarcophogi. Stumbled upon the theatre which was pretty wrecked. Then this huge building or series of building that was massive. The Great Bath was awesome, really pretty. Then this amazing old bascillica with all these columns half submerged in water and clear water swamp and just so cool. Then walked to the sea and up to the crusader castle and fortress. Gorgeous views and great sunset. We had to cross the water where it met the sea and the current was so strong and nearly knocked us over and my pant legs were wet up to my thighs. Walked back to the hotel in the dark and then had dinner.

16th- Had to take everything to laundry and kinda late by the time it got back and so we did nothing.

17th- Today set up the plane tickets, which took all day. Then we walked up to a couple markets to look and then up the road till we didn't see anymore, then back the other way till we saw nothing and then forged a stream twice and back to the hotel. Little puppy and her mom followed us and the puppy was so cute. then hotel, dinner, bed.

18th- We set out for the Chimera. To cross the stream we had to climb up this kinda questionable ladder and then over past a barking dog to the ridge. Then stopped at some markets and walked the 5 or something to the Chimera. Then one kilometer really steep stairs up to the chimera. Which had ruins that were really neat. The flames were so neat, you poured water on them but they didn't go out. We sat up there and them as I was sitting by it I smell something burning and I realize that it is my sweater that is now all singed. Back to the hotel, best dinner of the trip then to bed because we have to be up at like, really early.