Kemer and the Roman Ruins

The tour that I arranged with our guide today was so much fun!  It started with a trip to the next town over, Kemer, which is larger than Goynuk.  We stopped for about 45 mins in the bazaar, which was nothing compared to the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul.  Everyone found a few more select gift items for family and friends and then we loaded up and drove up one of the nearby canyons to see an old Roman bridge.  It is over 2000 yrs old.

Main shopping street in Kemer.

Canyon outside Kemer

The river seemed low considering the recent rain. Our guide said they had not had much rain recently.  Sometimes when it rains for a long time, the river completely overflows its banks.

The 2000 yr old Roman bridge

Our group climbing around on the boulders (this would become the standard procedure throughout the afternoon).

After the canon we headed for the ancient city of Phaselis, also known as Lycia.  We first drove through the Kemer countryside and saw lots of lemon and orange trees as well as a lot of chickens running around loose.  There were also quite a few goats. 

Phaselis was first established in 690 BC.  It became part of the Roman Empire in 43 AD and was visited by the Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD (a special gate was erected in his honor).  It was devasted by several earthquakes over the centuries and eventually was abandoned around 1160 AD.

It was built on a pennisula and had three different harbors.

Remains of an aquaduct that supplied the city's water from a spring on a hill nearby.

There were no restrictions about climbing around and through the ruins. It was so cool to wander through rooms and around the foundational walls.

This was in the baths section.  You could see where the water was heated and the seats (we think) where people sat around the edge of the waters.

The sky was beautiful and the sun cast shadows on the walls.  The surrounding forests gave the whole settlement a very peaceful feel.  It was cool and there was lots of moss and other vegetation growing on the walls.

View of the valley and the stage area of the amphitheatre, as seen from the topmost seats.

Final harbor, the largest one on the opposite side of the settlement.

View of snowy Mt Tahtali.  We had hoped to take the gondola to the top of the peak (height over 2000 meters), but until the very end of the day it was shrouded in clouds.  Perhaps there will be another opportunity.

Our last stop was at this strange local site.  Its a hotel (often used by backpackers). Each of the rooms is made of crazy wood designs.  Its right on the river and has been washed away three times by floods.

All in all a great day!