Tag: Antalya

Today I set off after brekky to the Antalya museum. This entailed negotiating a tram! All such things are an achievement in my book. On the way I found the office for the bus bus to Pammukale and bought a ticket.

The museum was gorgeous and I got on the tram and came back. Explored a bit of Antaya, found a chaotic and really wonderful Restaurant for lunch….had a beautiful pide with that yoghurt drink they keep insisting I have. That was great. A bit more wondering and then thought I ‘fuck it’….back to the hotel and into the pool for a swim….that takes more of my courage than most other things. Have relaxed from 3-6pm and will trot off again now for food!!

This place is full of tourists….there must be a happy medium somewhere on this earth!!

Aussies here loudly crowing about North beating Cats…and lamenting about Abbot declaring us on high alert….god he’s a dickhead (Abbot I mean)…the Aussies were quite nice when I told them they’d given me more information about what’s going on than I’d had in weeks.

Off now to find a place to eat and purchase a bottle of vino!!!

It is so hot here that pacing myself has become an art form. A nice leisurely day today but very enjoyable. Started by just wandering around looking t the gorgeous Ottoman houses, enjoying the odd Apple Chay and mooching. Then I went to the Old Town Museum which was gorgeous, in one of the lovely old houses, cool, untouristy and perfectly enjoyable. Then I went to a quite expensive restaurant for a prolonged lunch mainly because they has appealing things on the menu for a nervous tummy. I had an entree seafood risotto which seemed like just the ticket although time will tell!! A nice glass of white ( I use nice loosely). It was good and no ill effects yet. Some more wondering and off to a lovely gardens/ park overlooking the ocean and then back to hotel. No swim today, too many people by the pool!!

Still, I’m contented at the end of the day. To Pamukkale tomorrow to see what that brings. I do believe at this stage that it will be straight to Selcuk from there bypassing Bodrum.

If all keeps going well intestinely I’ll go and find a place for tea tonight.

Now for tonight’s missive.

So… Set off and found a place to have my jeans and a few tops laundered….they charged me an arm and a leg and didn’t remove the stains so not too happy with that….been doing a much better job myself. Then walked down to the harbour and the city beach. It’s quite pretty but not too tempting. Antalya is just FULL of Germans. They are middle to over middle aged and look like lizards. They would turn you off wanting a sun tan….they look positively leathery. The other brand is flocks of Chinese piling onto ugly boats for a tour. So left there and charged uphill through the markets. That was nice. Explored a few mosques and ‘roooooons’ and meandered back to hotel for a swim. Couldn’t go out to find a meal so finished up early.

I know I’ve been saying I wanted a day or so downtime but think I’ve made an error with Antalya in that 3 nights would have been enough. I explored the town and am champing at the bit…particularly as time is at a bit of a premium. Another day tomorrow just seems like a bit of a waste.

Anyway, not to lament….just not quite as invigorating as previously and I do feel a bit more ‘alone’ here….a million tourists…..and me :).

I think it will be a bit similar in Pamukkale and Selcuk but then Izmir and back to Istanbul.

Basically another day of 6 hours on the bus. Goodbye Henri….kiss, kiss…phew!!

Already 2 emails from him that won’t open on my iPad as they obviously contain photos.

Antalya is certainly back in tourist land isn’t it. There are positives and negatives to that of course. Have just done a little passagiata, got some fish and a Turkish gelati for tea, bought myself a bottle of Turkish red and trotted back to hotel. Tomorrow will be explore day.

I’m one thinking I’ll go straight to Pammukele from here, skipping Fetihye and Bodrum. Then onto to Selcuk.