Turkey, the Eclipse & Vienna in 2006
March 30: Olympos to Kalkan

Myra, Kekova Bay and Simena

 

March 24
Istanbul

March 25
More in Istanbul

March 26
And more of Istanbul
March 27
Istanbul to Antalya
March 28
Antalya to Olympos
March 29
ECLIPSE DAY
March 31
Kalkan to Fethiye

April 1
Fethiye to Pamukkale

April 2
Pamukkale to Kusadasi
April 3
Kusadasi to Istanbul
April 4
Istanbul
April 6
Vienna
 
After the exhilaration of eclipse day we thought the rest of the trip might be a let-down but that was not to be. We began at Myra where there are wonderful tombs set in the hillsides and a large Roman amphitheater.
         
We learned that St. Nicholas spent much time here (hence St. Nicholas Church). The ancient St. Nicholas statues have been mored to the the church and now a garish red Santa stands atop a pedastal in the center of town.
         
         
Next we took a boat across the beautiful Kekova Bay (note the turquoise water that for which the "Turquoise Coast" is named). Fish was grilled at the stern of the boat for a delicious lunch. Three brave souls took to the water and would recommend a dip for all. We cruised the shoreline of Kekova Island where there are partially submerged Byzantine ruins of part of the village of Simena.
         
         
Then we went to the small village of Kalekoy (accessible only by boat) and climbed the hill to the ruins of an old castle of the ancient village of Simena. We ended the day back on the mainland and drove to Kalkan for the night.