We set off to see tombs carved into the mountains just east of Kas in Cyaneae or Kyaneai in Turkish. All things here have both an English name and a Turkish name. Quite strange that it just isn't all in Turkish. This town was the most important roman town between Myra and Kas. To get to this acropolis was an adventure. It is along a dirt gravel road that is just barely big enough to fit one car. It is four kilometres into the bush basically. It is the only non sign posted place we visited. There is as a sarcophagus carved into the mountain side. We got a little lost trying to find the place by a about a half hour on these terrifying narrow roads. We did not see a single house or car or sign if life he entire time. Slightly concerning. Upon arriving at the actual site we hopped out of the car and started to hike to this monument. About five minutes in to the hike we discovered a fresh dug grave that shouldn't have been there at an official tourist site. Between Christina and I, our spidey senses were just ringing so we decided to turn back to the car - read basically ran back to the car. This just felt super death trap like. It wasn't a tourist destination that was highly traversed. I have never felt so uncomfortable in the silence ever. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut.
The drive from Kas to Bodrum was supposed to be six hours... It took three. I don't think either christina or myself know how to follow a speed limit when there is no expectation to follow it. We stopped for a break in Patara. It is an 18 km beach of white sand for turtle breeding. Given that it was blustering wind we did not stay long. The drive was easy and a lot of fun. Taking hair puns turns at 90km/hour is a riot. You do not have to follow the lanes or even signal. It is like a game to drive. I would recommend a car to do turkey. It makes life so much easier and you can take the off beaten tracks to go see something new.
We made it to Bodrum before dinner time after basically leaving Kas at noon after our little detour to Kyaneai. Returned the car to the airport on fumes. They gave us an empty car so we returned it the way it came to us. Taking public transport, be proud because neither one of us speaks a lick of Turkish, back to Bodrum was actually quite successful. Our public bus driver got us to the centre of Bodrum. We took it pretty easy here - walked around the harbour, had an Italian dinner. And come back to pack our bags for Greece tomorrow!
Final thoughts on Turkey:
- the men are diverse. There are two extremes - the older men who look at you like you should be in the house doing women work and be fully covered up and the younger generation who are creepy in their own manner. They are hilarious and hit on you, follow you around, lulls are the worst pant to wear ever here, and just constantly whistle/cat call. They'd have game though if you were stupid/innocent enough to fall for it. I haven't seen enough women around to comment on it. Not even the younger generations are out to see them.
- I would recommend Turkey. I like the southern trip significantly more than Istanbul but that said, you need to do Istanbul. I am glad that I did this with modestly no fear. Driving was a game and you always had to be on the lookout. Pansyions are incredible for the price and quality you get. We stayed in places with a king and a double with breakfast, wifi, and parking for about $20-30 a per a night. Istanbul seemed stupid expensive for what we got at $55 a night. However, I didn't book that one and it came as a recommendation from a friend who lived in Turkey for exchange. Turkey is diverse and you don't see the same thing really, besides ruins, twice. For a military run country, you do not notice the police or military presence. They love Antaruk - he is everywhere and people even get his signature tattooed on themselves. The flag is about as common as a Starbucks or McDonald's at home. You look and see one everywhere even in the back window of cars.
- the spice bazaar in Istanbul will be my favourite memory of this part of the trip. A lovely gentlemen of vertically challenged stature had us laughing for a good portion of an hour. The photos and putting this into words does not do it justice.
- the nights are not as safe feeling as the days. Nights are downright unsafe to be walking alone as females. Don't do it. We only did once and learned our lesson with the stalking. Daytime feels like the classic walking around any city to be honest.
- waiters constantly bring food to your table that you didn't order then make you pay for it. You just refuse it when it comes and then they don't charge you for it. Not that dinner is expensive, meals cost us about $8-20 a person for an appy and main with water. You won't find much else but Turkish food though. Italian was extremely rare and there are no other options. You could eat cheaper if you had street food but I put my foot down on that front.
- the prayers are timetable. They happened every day in all cities at 5 am, noon, 5 pm, 9 ish pm, and midnight. They occur over loud speaker regardless of the time of day. I will be glad to not hear them when I am in Greece.
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