Demre, Mirra and Kekova island excursions
Recently, an opinion has been formed that more and more people go to Turkey for a "lazy vacation", however, by developing the tourist business, the Turks are trying to attract people of a different warehouse, who are fond of not only satisfying their material needs, but spiritual ones; people thirsting for impressions from new places, new information, new knowledge.
I, too, am one of those people who go to a new place to LEARN it, and not just use the benefits there. Turkey amazes me with its unusually beautiful landscapes, mountain and sea, rich history, as well as an extraordinary mix of Western and Eastern cultures.
Of course, I want to lie around for a couple of days, warm up, swim. But then it's boring. Great for those who don't have kids.
And choose a tour. Better historical. It should be noted that I always try to take excursions from the tour operator with whom I flew. Firstly, insurance, secondly, safety, and thirdly, the guides are more qualified, intelligent, and well-read. A very important role is played by the person of the guide in the journey. And the impressions about the trips themselves are formed, including from their work.
So, this time my husband and I chose the trip "Demre, Mira and the island of Kekova". This tour takes place in the location of the ancient state of Lycia, which in ancient times existed on the territory of Anatolia. The route, laid along the picturesque coast of Antalya, will not leave anyone indifferent. Even just traveling, sitting in a comfortable bus seat, you can learn a lot of information about this amazing country. The road goes almost all the time along the sea, and you do not need to figure out what to do on the way, just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Villages, mountains, fields, small towns like Finike. The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC. e. and constantly changed hands. The Egyptians, Rome, Byzantium and, finally, the Ottoman Empire dominated here.
It looks so European. Yachts. boats, unhurried residents. According to our guide, the middle bourgeoisie live there, many are retired, and they also sell a variety of oranges - small and very sweet.
On the way, you can meet many women covered in a burqa. They work. We were told that it is customary for women to work, while men deal with global issues, drinking coffee in numerous coffee shops. Although civilization goes on as usual and a woman minister has already been in the history of Turkey.
There are stops where you can drink coffee, buy a chocolate bar, some buy chips and other "bad things for the body. " Probably tired of "Swedish tables" in hotels.
Here is the first stop. The first point of the tour is the Church of St. Nicholas. This saint is considered the prototype of Santa Claus, which is played up by the tourism industry. The Church does not deny that St. Nicholas is a real historical figure, the first Bishop of Mirra. The guide will tell you the story of his birth, his path to God, etc. You will visit inside, see wall paintings, frescoes (by the way, you can still see images of desktop maps there - until they were banned), you can touch the ancient sarcophagus, where - if you believe the guides, some of the relics of the Wonderworker are still kept (the main part was taken by merchants from Venice). There is also an altar or something like it. You have to walk around, for example, to get pregnant.
The church in which, according to legend, St. Nicholas preached, is a shrine not only for Christians, but also for Muslims. The Turks call him the Christmas Father. Worthy of attention is the monument to St. Nicholas and the architecture of the ancient church as a whole. After visiting the holy site, you will be able to buy some icons, "pouches of holy earth" and other goods at the nearby icon shops. Or just relax on the bus while waiting for others. The next stage is a visit to the ruins of Mirra. They are located close to modern Demre. Here, your attention will be drawn to the Lycian rock tombs carved into the rocks, they amaze you with their unusualness, and one of the largest theaters of ancient Lycia will make you feel the atmosphere of ancient times. The theater complex has preserved architectural decorations and columns. Tourists are allowed to move freely around the complex, taking pictures without restrictions. The next stage of the tour is loading onto the yacht. Until then, you will be invited to dine at the buffet. During the sea voyage, when you are relaxed and satisfied after dinner, you will get new impressions from the spectacle of the open sea, the amazing silence of these places, tranquility. Like landscapes on the islands of Greece. Almost the entire territory of the coast and coastal waters of Kekova is ruins, which in ancient times served as a secluded refuge for pirates and fishermen, and at the moment are an archaeological area in use. There was an important coastal city of Byzantium, which grew up on the site of an ancient Lycian settlement, now it is completely absorbed by water. You can only partially see the separation of rooms, baths. The water there is like an emerald, clean. The yacht makes a stop, then a U-turn and home. To the bus, to small sellers, fighting off their offers. For dinner at the hotel. And then - there is something to remember, look through the photo, there is something to tell at home.
