Today we packed our togs to go tackle to Saklikent gorge, about 35km northwest of Kas. We weren’t too sure where we were going, but found it after detouring through a small village. The drive was really scenic with the large rocky mountains looming high on one side, a wide dusky blue river on the other, and the road flanked by pink flowering bushes. On the advice of other tourists, we hired plastic brogues and stripped down to our togs in preparation for walking up the rapids in the river! The gorge was beautiful, looking up between the cliffs was awesome. It was probably 8m at its widest point. It began with a short board walk,then slipping and sliding over wet rocks down to the rapids where we had to cross. The water was freezing! It only went up to our hips though, then became quite shallow. We walked up the gorge about 30mins (noticing ‘Taksim’ graffiti on the rock wall every few corners), and Scott went a little further up with the assistance of a big burly Turkish chap who gave him a boost up the high steep rocks ahead. Time flew, and by the time we finished it was 4pm – time for another warm luncheon sandwich (blah). On the way home we stopped at Kaputas Cove beach again, set up our sun bathing towels planning to go swimming when suddenly large black clouds loomed up and sent us on our way! Dinner at our favourite local, with chai on the house!

Next day was kayaking at kekova, a small settlement east of Kas. So glad to be out of the car, and in the sun and fresh air! Paddling over the old Lycian ruins (now under water) was cool, the water was so clear and a beautiful turquoise colour. We had a yummy seafood lunch at the village then climbed up the hill and gapped at the multitude of sarcophagi perched on top of the hill – they were so big, about 2 m high and pointing to the sky as they believed that this would help the journey to the sun god after death.

After kayaking we raced it to Antalya, looking forward to staying with Alison and Hassan, good friends of the Crawford family. The beauty of the car was that we could stop at some beautiful turquoise coves that scatter the coast line. Driving a peak hour in Antalya was an experience not to be repeated. Thanks to the GPS we found their apartment pretty quickly and enjoyed a cold glass of white wine – amazing !!
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