This is going to be my last post of this month and i'm off to holiday again....WOO HOO!!!! sayonara adios Dresden. Anyway Antalya, It's really a nice place to visit, the place looks more organize, cleaner and everything is alot more nicer compare to Manavgat, well it should it's the largest city on the Turkish Mediterranean coast or the more glamours name the Turkish Riviera.
Like most tourist who stay at the neighbouring town (at least that's what i think because of the insane numbers of hotels outside of Antalya), we travel to Antalya by bus for a 1 day trip. We took this "express" looking bus from Manavgat to Antalya. One can take this bus from the Otogar (main station). Don't have to worry about where to buy the tickets because you buy them on board.
By the way, this bus also stop half way to Aspendose, but only by the highway side. So you would still have to walk all they way in
it cost 10TL/ pax for 1 way, and it's a 2 hours ride. It's comfy but it can get really crowded. Some people need to stand all the way to Antalya. To make sure you have a seat board the bus on the main station.
@ the Antalya Otogar's Tourist Information
Antalya otogar
from here we took the tram to the old town, if i remember correctly the tram stop is called, Ismetpasa.
i couldn't remember how much was the tram cost. I got to say that their Tram card system SUCKS big time. once you've purchase the ticket you are required to wait behind for 1-2 minutes for the machines to recognize your card. Talk about dumb system. If this happens in Japan i bet the suicide rate will tripled
Antalya's old town
No thanks to our lousy hotel who serve lousy food.
This is what they should serve in the hotel and not German food. Guys,stick to what u know best
found this great restaurant in Antalya, serve really good kebab...mmm cost about 9TL for 1 kebab platter
after our satisfying lunch, Start with the Kaleici Trail
start from the clock tower of Ottoman era
and behind the clock tower is the 18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque
going down
alot of small shops around the are selling the usual stuff
next the symbol of Antalya, Fluted Minaret
and this odd looking tree
moving on...
more shops
and more shops
yacht harbour, here you can have boat ride to see the Duden Fall
because it was kind of low season, the boat ride price drop from 30TL that was what they offer the 1st time to 5TL.... lol sorry we are just not interested
because we can already see this small waterfall...so...
zoom in
Boon @ yacht harbour
panorama view
light house
it's really beautiful here
no wonder it's called the turquoise coast
lovely
this shot here does reminds me of Nice
going up hill
thank god there was a juice bar....i was thirsty
pure pomegranate juice.....hmmm....no it's damn sour ><
view from the top overlooking the yacht harbor. A really nice spot to chill with a drink and just enjoy the amazing view
Mermerli beach
next stop is the Hidirlik Tower, a 2nd century fortification in the Karaalioglu Park
me enjoying the sun @ Hidirlik Tower
panoramaview
next is the Broken Minaret, it was originally built as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD and in the 7th century it was converted to Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary. Then it was destroy and repaired again, then turn to Mosque and the Minaret was added. then mosque turn to church....and i'm confuse now
at the end the mosque was destroyed in a fire in 1846 and what was left is the minaret
moving along the narrow walk way
and this place reminds me of Venice, minus the sinking building
more small shops
Hamam, the Turkish bath. It's basically a steam room where u butt naked or a towel on you and some Turkish guy will come and give u a bubble bath and some massage. Make sure it's not crowded. You don't want people to be staring you when you get your junk rub
moving on
the Hadrian's Gate
it was built in the year 130 in the honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who then visited Antalya
and that's the end of the Kaleici trail
to the Cumhuriyet Square
the Ataturk monument @ Cumhuriyet Square
view from the Square
us @ the square
once last kebab before headed back to Manavgat
did i mention the stupid tram system? look at those people waiting
we were not sure when was the last bus back to Manavgat so we leave about about 4pm something. It was also another pack bus back. Thanks god we have a seat. by the time we reach Manavgat's otogar it was about 6:30pm and it was already dark..We had no idea how to get back to our hotel since it's late then bus driver was kind enough to drop us at the highway near our hotel, and we walked 1KM back to our hotel form the highway in the dark and in time for our dinner @ the hotel.
Turkish are really friendly, nice and honest people in my opinion. So far the Turkish that I've met are really sincere. I don't think i will be back to Antalya anytime soon but i would like to visit Turkey again in the future.. Maybe Istanbul?
~ hoscakal ~
