Antalya (Perge, Aspendos and Manavgat Waterfalls) Day 10. Turkey

Cactus against the blue sky

We stayed in Pera Palace Hotel in the heart of Kale Ici area. It took us sometime to find the hotel. Each time we stopped to ask a taxi driver, they kept saying: Go straight and when you see another taxi stand, ask again! Funny. But we finally found the hotel and it was a charming place.


The reception area of Pera Palace Hotel

You know, the owner kind of reminded me of Vin Diesel....I guess it was because he shaved his head and had that broad muscular type body.


The Roman Gate. Perge, Antalya

We started the day with a trip to Perge, the ancient city of Pamphylia. It was believed to be established in the 12th or 13th century B.C.


Boy posing for photo for his dad

Perge was one of the most important city in ancient Pamphylia. This city had a rich history, being ruled by both the Lydians and Persians and in 334 B.C, Alexander the Great.


The Southern Baths

Perge's glorious years were in the 2nd and 3rd A.D during the Roman era. The ruins seen in this place belongs to that era.


A row of marble columns

Excavations by Turkish archaeologists started in 1947 and had continued ever since. The beautiful statues excavated are being displayed in the Antalya Museum.


The ruins of the Hellenistic door

One of the ruins that stood out was the ruins of the Hellenistic door, which you will see as soon as you step foot through the Roman Gate. Dated to the 3rd century B.C. It had twin towers and a horseshoe shaped courtyard.


The theater of Aspendos

We then headed towards the theater of Aspendos, one of the most well known ancient Roman amphitheater. And it is still functional till this day with concerts being held here. When we were there, there was a dance extravaganza being held there. There are two levels of seating and the theater can fit about 15 000 people.


Through the walls

This theater is famous for its magnificent acoustic. Apparently the slightest sound made in the stage can be heard from the upper galleries. So to test this, my friend, Shiori-san, very bravely went to the stage area and sang! She got such a lovely voice and entertained us all......including several parties of the tour group. Of course, everyone showed their appreciation and gave her a hearty applause! Bravo!


Aspendos theater, the upper gallery

I liked the view from the gallery which has 59 arches. This gallery was thought to have been built later.


Manavgat Waterfall

On our way back we stopped by Manavgat Waterfall, as did all the tour groups we met in Perge and Aspendos! A charming spot with restaurants and cafes. A nice place to relax and enjoy a cup of tea next to the river.


Close up shot

The waterfall isn't tht high though so don't expect too much. Apparently, it has dried up in the past years....there used to be more water flowing. And it is summer, so it is dry. But the water had a lovely green hue. Malaysian rivers had always been murky and brown or clear with no colours.....at least those I had seen. Have not been to Sabah and Sarawak yet though.


A closer close up shot

Should have taken a picture of the waterfalls with those blur running waters effect that you always see. The area is fenced up though what was the point of fencing it up, I had no idea. You see, the fence was so low that you can easily climb over and which everyone did of course. A couple of kids were enjoying themselves swimming in the river and jumping from the edge of the falls.


The calm before the *storm*

I don't know why but this picture sort of reminded me of some pictures I had seen in Nat Geographic...the angle or something.


Pretty dahling...

I saved the cutest picture for last. Saw this pretty camel (don't they have such lovely eyes?) with this cute yellow scarf outside Aspendos. Now come on everybody....let's say "Awwwww....."