One upon a time…. No, not like this 🙂
Once there were…. No, not like this 🙂
It was a long, long time ago 🙂 🙂 🙂 Hmmm, looks like I’m going to write a fairy tale, no, no, no 🙂 It will be just a short long story about our trip to Kemer in 2011 :)!
We booked a week trip to Kemer in a small hotel with a great idea, that it won’t be a hotel rest, but an adventure one 🙂 So, what it was like?
Yeahh, it is really hot in August here! We resided in Antalya district, Turkish Riviera, starting our journey in Kemer, nice seaside resort and thanks God here a lot of fountains you can refresh in 🙂 just in the city center on your way!
Hey, hey, Turkey, we are ready to start our vacation!
Let’s start it yummy and gummy:)
Turkish ice cream (dondurma) is a bit different from other ice creams around the world we’ve ever tasted 🙂 with a special flavor and consistency. I think it is made of goat milk, or something like that:)
If you have ever tasted it in Turkey or somewhere else, you know what I mean 🙂 so elastic texture, so chew-able 🙂
It is no mystery that a lot of civilizations were established in Antalya. Historians estimate more than 1000 Lycian rock tombs exist today, all along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey! So today we are going to visit one of them! We booked an excursion to Demre by bus (it about 2,5 – 3 hours to get there)
This mountain looks like it have the entrances to countless temples, but in fact it’s the ornate façade of ancient Lycian tombs. Some of them are forbidden to enter (cause of safety reasons).
All tombs were constructed in high places, cause The Lycians believed that their dead were carried to the afterlife by magic winged creatures and thus they placed their honored dead in the cliffs, so the winged creature could have easy access to it.
We visited St Nicholas aka Santa Claus church in Demre. We got a wonderful insight into the humble beginnings of the man who would later be known as Santa Claus.
Wanna same fun facts about Santa?
The true name of Santa Claus was Nicholas and in adult life, he became the bishop of Myra which was a town further up the coast from Patara (Demre nowadays). So Santa Claus’ biography actually starts in the country of Turkey, not the North Pole 🙂
He was quite rich man and wanted to help people who were poor but he did it in secret, he climbed the roof of houses and dropped the coins down the chimney. One day, citizens caught him in the act and his good nature was revealed to the people. After his death, the memorial was erected in Demre, later he gained the holiest of titles and that is as St. Nicholas. Now we know him as the patron saint of sailors and children.
This excursion also includes a small boat trip (about 2 hours on the water). So you’ll have a good opportunity to rest a bit after the bus trip and walking 😉
We had some stops in beautiful places to enjoy clear and warm Mediterranean sea!!!
If you wanna adrenaline-fueled day, book rafting! Just DO IT!
Take your Go Pro camera, swim shoes (any suitable footwear) and get wonderful experience. Cost – 20 USD (include transportation and a very simple but tasty lunch), after the finish you can get photos and video of your rafting for extra money if you wanna it 😉 at the meeting point.
We were in the famous Koprulu Canyon, so magical place, so beautiful views over the towering cliffs. It was really the perfect one day! A lot of fun on the water, yeahhhh, we were lucky, cause our guide was a bit crazy, but so enthusiastic 🙂 It was amazing 15 km of rafting. The water was so pure that we could see all stones and fish. But at the same time was so cold as mountain river should be. So if you wanna to swim, it could be pretty refreshing 🙂 but still so exciting. At the finish there was a place with a deep water, so you have an opportunity to jump into the water from a high cliff.
Do it! You wont be disappointed 🙂 trust us!
A day of doing totally nothing! Of cause we also like to be lazy a bit 🙂 and we have such days 🙂
Here we are, just walking on the palm tree lined promenade near our hotel and taking photos, cause it has so picturesque backing of mountains rolling down to the coastline. Buying snacks from shops and cafes, laying on the soft white sand. Today is just lazy beach day!
Swimming in a pool..
Resting in a Turkish hamam (a type of steam bath) and strolling through the city. The local suggestion is to visit hamam during your very first day. As they will scrub your body and it might be unpleasant when you have some sun burns. 😦
Today we are going to discover what lies beneath the Mediterranean waves….
Nice boat tour, full relax on the boat, some stops for snorkelers and of cause…
…diving!
Our dive guide was friendly and professional, we had a good dive, I can’t say it was perfect – cause we didn’t see variety of fishes or turtles.. but it was our first dive and we managed to feed a fish! Kind of satisfied, as in reality the Mediterranean diving is reeeeeally boring. There is absolutely nothing to see under water. Few fishes, floating cucumbers, mess of plastic garbage and so on. However, ok-ish as a first diving experience.
All experience levels were welcome and even if you prefer not to dive at all, snorkel equipment is also available 🙂 It is something worth doing in Antalya district, when you are completely bored.
One more day and one more adventure! Today we are going to do jeep safari!
However this isn’t a safari 🙂 the only animals you’ll see are chickens, goats maybe some cats 😉 but it’s a beautiful way to discover countryside.
I would say that was a super fun and sightseeing trip instead of a safari :)!
There were professional drivers, but we asked if we could drive by ourselves and they allowed to do so:)
Be prepared to get a bit dirty 🙂 cause the jeeps are moving in the row, so dust will make a small storm that can cover your clothes, face, hair….:) Photo camera, protection sun cream, some bottles of water – good idea what to take with you 🙂
There were really great scenic views on our way toward the Taurus mountains. Check how Andrew cosplay Sparta!!
It was really nice to drive from place to place, we’ve visited some caves…
and explored small villages…. Check out the size of the donkey and the granny owner 🙂
Admired beautiful nature…
Refreshed in waterfalls. So don’t miss the opportunity to take Jeep safari tours!
Our vocation is coming to an end. We decided to visit Antalya city on our last day to explore it a bit and buy some souvenirs:) We are on the Republic Square! It’s so close to the heart of the city:) Here you can find striking Ataturk Monument, honoring Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Turkey.
Old Town with it’s cobblestone streets…is one you can’t afford to miss, but we are looking for souvenir shops, art galleries and restaurants today :))
Antalya for us in one photo: red roofed Ottoman mansions, it’s most distinctive landmark – Yivli Minare (fluted minaret) and wonderful views down to the marina below 🙂 And Andrew looking high after fat lunch 🙂
I really like this panoramic photo (we took it on Republic Square).
Buy, buy Turkey, may be one day we’ll return here but now we are ready to flight home:)
Tomorrow will be new day and new emotions:)
See you tomorrow 🙂
Don’t sit at home. Travel! Travel with me! 🙂 Meaww!
go and travel with me 