It's gonna be a long day of driving, seeing, and finding - we better start the day with another huge breakfast. It's like each hotel after the other tries to top one other - we couldn't eat it all.
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 |  More evidence here as to how much animals are revered in Turkey. See the dove that had flown in through the open windows at some point - a pair set up their nest just atop the A.C. unit - the hotel just lets them be. We hadn't noticed them to one up and flew out the window while we were eating (thankfully over the table next to us and not ours). |
We're no longer on the arid plains of Turkey, the coastal drive now provides lots of rolling hills and tree'd vistas over the Mediterranean Sea.
Now arriving in Çıralı to see the Ancient City of Olympos.
  |  We head up the West side of the stream and somehow cross over to the East on the way back. |
 |  Not a whole left of this church - they seem to be possibly working to put it back more together. (currently, in the below schematic, only the white hi- lighted portions remain standing, although shorter than they used to be) |
We walked along the old Roman street to see more rubbly ruins...
...and a turtle.
They had done a lot work to clear away debris and brush, to make it "re-discovered".
Repurposed stones from later, post-Roman, eras of Olympos.
A doorway here, a hole in the ground there...
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Carved stones are seen laid out for the archaeologists to try to make rhyme and reason of it all.
A really big and grand entrance to a temple stands tall.
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A podium or lectern??
Some simple floor tiling...
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We're now at the end of the city that opens up onto the Mediterranean Sea - a tour boat brings tourists the "fancy" way.
Another temple is nearby...
...with a cool mosaic floor.
Sarcophagus of Captain Eudemos:
Now how do we get to the other side of the stream to see the rest of the ruins, rock hopping?
Ah, there's a handy plank to get to the other side.
We like to see when the stone blocks are fitted together without mortar:
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Yes, we found the amphitheater!
Not so much of it still remains intact - there will be no more shows put on here.
Now we head up a trail to see ruins obscured by thick vegetation - interesting in its own way, like finding a hidden long-lost city....and a squirrel to great us.
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The drive continues along the coast, this time really along the coast for a good distance.
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We arrive in Demre (Ancient City of Myra & Church of St. Nicolas):
First the Church...
Why is Tim standing alongside Santa Claus? Yes, indeed, we are in the realm of St. Nicolas, the historical inspiration for Santa!
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Wait, hmmm, our guide information suggests that St. Nicholas' final resting place is here...
 |  Nobody home here in this empty tomb... |
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Nor here...
"The church was built in AD 520 on the foundations of an older Christian church where Saint Nicholas had served as a bishop. Justinian I contributed to the reconstruction. It is noted for its remarkable wall frescos, and its architectural and religious significance.
Over time the church was flooded and filled with silt. In 1862 it was restored by Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who added a tower and made other changes to its Byzantine architecture. The church continued to function until its final abandonment by the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1923, when the remaining Greeks of Demre were required to leave by the population exchange between Greece and Turkey."
A broader view of the church - fairly well preserved:
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Santa, er, St. Nicholas is also the patron saint of seafarers...see the anchor/cross thingie majig.
Has it dawned on you by now, if St Nicolas is buried here, that implies that Santa Claus is dead...this should remain our little (or big) secret, huh!
Tim is contemplating the significance, overcome by what it all means...
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Gerri is not so overwhelmed by the plight of Santa...
Time to head across the town of Demre to tour the Ancient City of Myra. What remains for touring today is a burial complex and an impressive amphitheater.
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Remains of what was a very large stage and supporting elements:
The rest of what was Myra is apparently covered by hundreds of greenhouses producing fruits and veggies of all kinds.
Some details of the tomb complex:
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Connected with the amphitheater are somehow defensive fortifications up and around this grand staircase.
Yup, that's a black cat whose path we will not cross...
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A fragment of stone garland at the rear of the stage complex:
Carved stone versions of actor's facemasks used to enhance their performance, better project themselves to the upper rows.
  | And there is Medusa!  |
After some more twisty, and up/down driving, we arrive in our overnight town of Kaş.
| Our hotel balcony view:  The cats that greeted us every time we crossed to/from the downtown/marina area:  A new beer to try:  Shrimp, chicken, and a whole fish - yum yum.  |   |
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