On the road again; to Antalya and Kas

We are "on the road again", and this is a song we grow fond of on the bus. We all have plenty of snacks that we share along the way. I must say I have taken a shine to some biscuits which are unfortunately called Negro. We are so lucky with our group as we all look out for each other, and they are so much fun and easy going. We take a public bus to Antayla which is about 6 hours, and the old tray on the bus will make its return. We are warned not to make too much noise as they don't like it. Well, that was until they showed the horror movie where a granny turns into a mad woman possessed, and bites the neck out of a man, and Deb and I scream our heads off. A Turkish lady gave me daggers. We arrive to the Aspen Hotel in Antayla, which is a lovely spot and it's a popular tourist spot with 1,000,000 residents and 8,000,000 visitors each year. Here I should mention about the Turkish bed linen set-up. It's like a sheet and then a cotton throw that doesn't fit over you and your lady friend. Kerry on the trip has nicknamed it the "sheetlet". We have our little tour of the town and it's a mix of old world charm nestled into a marina. We all meet up for a pre-dinner drink, and the weather has turned. We ate high on the cliff and they give you blankets to put over your shoulders. Melbourne could take note of these, but from what I hear, perhaps a doona would be better at the moment. They sell fresh mussels on the street and they drizzle fresh lemon over them while you stand there and eat them. We head off for dinner at a place that specialises in roast chicken. We have all these mezzes which are dips and by the time dinner comes, you are just about done!! They have 2 guys turning about 25 chickens over a pit by hand. The chicken is delicious. Oh, I tried to order turnip juice from the menu and they very abruptly told me "no", to everyone's relief. The next day we walk a few kms to Antayla Archaelogical museum which is meant to be the best in Turkey. When you see all the sights from where they were excavated from, it's amazing. They have the statues of Aphrodite, Zeus and a whole area of the sarcophagus tombs which are so ornate in their carvings. Melinda, I'm through first, and Mum and Tub come last, as they absorb the whole lot. We go by bus about half an hour from Antayla to the ancient Hellenistic city called Termessos and we have to hike up to the Plataeu which is 1,050 metres above sea level. Thank god I have done the pre-hike training by walking in France and Italy with Mum. It was turned into a National Park in the 1980's. Kaye in our group needs a new knee when she gets home but she heroically climbs to the top. The views are breath taking, and the ruins just lying around are amazing. When we get about three quarters of the way up, we come across the stunning theatre that is still in great shape. Tub, we are told, is a singer but we are yet to hear any tunes. Ozan is also a musician. Ozan and Tub head to the bottom and Ozan sings a Turkish song followed by Tub singing Danny Boy which makes me a bit teary as they were so beautiful. The hike to the top was wonderful. Booka and Kaye walk back together, and right before they make it to the bottom, Kaye tumbles. Ozan is great as he stops when we get back on the bus to get a can of cold coke and it's tied around her shoulder. A comfort stop wouldn't go astray. We stop and I try to make my way into the men's toilets which wasn't a good look. We have lunch where underneath they farm fresh trout, which is baked in the oven. Mum and I share stuffed mushrooms filled with cheese. A girl needs this after a hike. We then make our way to Kas, another 4.5 hours away, and we drive through heavy rain and the terrain is ever changing - we go from about 25, down to 13 degrees in a couple of hours. This town used to be filled with artists in the 1970's but it has gotten more touristy now and they have moved away. It has a population of 7,800. I'm looking forward to Kas as it's tucked away in a curved bay hugging the coast 500 metres high, and looking out over the Mediterranean. Ozan and his wife live here. Booka and I have had the best rooms and ours looks over the sea and we have this huge spray of Bougainvillea on our verandah. Ozan takes us on a tour to orient ourselves and he suggests we try the local ice cream, which is described as "burnt milk". I give it go, and let me tell you, it tastes of burnt toast in the morning. Tonight we are in for a treat as we sail on one of the boats, and we find ourselves in a little protected cove on the Mediterranean. We have two lovely guys looking after us, and Booka, who has taken it upon herself to be our drinks girl, as we get a separate tab. As we sail, Booka's hair is flying back like Barry Gibb. We have lovey fresh sea bream and the most incredible salads. He tells us to just the throw the fish bones overboard, and I do, and it completely misses and hits the deck. This night was so relaxing and we begin to unwind in the town that is so laidback as well.