THE JOURNEY BEGINS

While this was my second trip to Antalya, and many more for Geoff, we both saw things we had not noticed on previous trips. The leaves were changing in the mountains, the temperature was perfect, no need for a jacket, blue sky and lots of sun.   I must say, being in a Mediterranean resort town during the autumn/low season is totally different to the summer visit.  The hotel was the same, but the traffic was missing; the water views the same, but only a few brave souls bobbing in the sea.  While Geoff worked, I enjoyed the perfect weather and walked the park along the ocean and explored areas around the hotel, as well as pouring over travel guides, deciding where to go and what to see.  We have to thank the research staff in Antalya for their direction in  overnight locations and finding accommodation in each place.

God's gift of Autumn color

This was a large body of water, with amazing rock formations, and a chalky white substance along it's shores.  We had NOT noticed this on the previous trip, how we do not know.  We have tried to find out if the white substance is used in either the porcelain business in Kutahya or the Meerschaum Pipes made in Eskisehir.  Meerschaum is a porous white stone, known as "white gold" and used to carve the bowls to the famous pipes.  This is also where we discovered the Phrygian tombs, after we returned home and viewed our photos.  Thanks to zoom!

The deserted Dedeman Hotel

A park across from the hotel, sported resistance exercise equipment, lots of water works, places to enjoy quiet moments, and an orange grove in the middle of the city is apparently a good place to have a nap

The morning that greeted us as we set out on our first real day into the past.