Southern Turkey (November 17th - November 26th)(continued)
I caught my first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea in the south of Turkey on Sunday November 21st.
I arrived in Fethiye in the early afternoon and decided to stay a few nights as I am really feeling fatigued and need some time off the bike. The southern coast of Turkey is a lot like the southern coast of France with modern towns far different than the small villages I have been going through. You see some different wildlife here too.
I stayed at a youth hostel for 2 nights and spend the time with a few other travellers who were hiking the Lycian Way, a 500 km trail that runs from Fethiye to Antalya. I was hoping to do some of the hike but decided instead to go Cappadocia in Central Turkey as it is supposed to be one of those places you have to see to believe. It is about 800 km north and east of Fethiye so I took an overnight bus. The weather forecast is calling for a few days of heavy rain and I don't want to cross the mountains and then cross again as I head south towards Syria.
I arrived in Goreme on Wednesday November 24th and will be here until Saturday morning. The town is part of the region of Cappadocia. This area has a long history and is mentioned in the book of Acts. The rocks surrounding the area have eroded into minaret-like forms. The rocks are soft and between 300 - 1,200 AD, were carved out to form homes and churches.
The open air museum that I visited has more than 30 rock carved churches and chapels and some have frescoes painted on the inside.
