Post by sharencrane on Oct 31, 2005 13:06:20 GMT 1
When Michael and I decided to visit Pammukale and Ephesus we thought why not use local transport. We had been staying in Ovacik and went with Kamel Coc from Fethiye to Pammukale where we made our base.
We spent our first full day in Pammukale. Walking up to the baths was a perculiar experience. Everything was so white I expected it to feel as cold as ice, but it was warm and the water was inviting.
Once in the in the baths we noticed the smell of sulpher however we needed no persuasion to climb in the water. We were there for hours and watched stream after stream of guided tours walking in, around and out. I looked like a prune by the time I eventually got out of the pool
The following day thorough relaxed from the long soak the day before, we boarded yet another Kamel Coc and were taken to Selcuk. On arrival at Selcuk we took a Dolmus to Ephesus.
We paid our entrance fee, bought a guide book and began our exploration. We walked at a leisurely pace through the streets of Ephesus soaking up the history. Again we noticed tour groups coming in, being frog marched around and then out the other side where their coaches we waiting for them.
We had taken our tripod with us and were able to set up the camera to take pictures whenever the groups had moved on. If you look at our photographs you would think that we had Ephesus all to ourselves!
I sat in a quite spot reading the guide book whilst Michael went to explore. I heard a lot of chattering and looked up in time to see a hoard of Japenese tourists making their way towards me. I sat still and continued to read my book. Suddenly there was frantic snapping of cameras and the chattering became more intense. I lifted my head to see what the commotion was about, to spy Michael poking his head out of what could only be described as a fire place
Once he had regained his composure and the Japenese had taken their fill of photographs, we decided to take a slow amble back to the Grand Ampitheatre and soak up some more of the atmosphere.
Once in the Grand Ampitheatre I found a quiet spot again and resumed my reading whilst Michael again wandered off in search of adventure. Now Michael and I are both fairhaired and are often mistaken for being German, so it came as no surpise to find an English speaking guide bring his group towards me. The reason he did this will become apparent shortly.
The group settled in front of me and the Guide began his talk about Ephesus. I couldn't concentrate on my book, so I placed it to one side and just drifted off in my own little world. The Guide continued to talk to his group until Michael came back and started to regail me with his adventures. The Guide realising that we were English, became quite agitated that I had been sat near his group listening to his talk, "why hadn't I made it clear I was English". I pointed out that I had been sat there first so it was his own fault and he should have had the courtesy to check and secondly I had actually learnt more from the book than I had from his droning voice. At which point the Guide gathered up his group and hastily left the Ampitheatre.
We continued our tour of Ephesus and having spent about 6 hours there we decided to walk back to Selcuk (no mean feat believe me). We arrived back in Selcuk just as our coach arrived to take us back to Pammukale where we spent our third night before returing to our hotel in Ovacik.
It was a very tiring trip but well worth the effort and the money. We worked out that we had saved a considerable amount of money doing it ourselves and we had stayed longer at the sights then the tour groups.
My advice to anyone visiting Turkey for the first time or the 20th time. If you have never ventured out of your resort and had an adventure, then do it. Its relatively easy and everyone is so friendly.
Turkey is truly on of the most beautiful places on this earth.
We spent our first full day in Pammukale. Walking up to the baths was a perculiar experience. Everything was so white I expected it to feel as cold as ice, but it was warm and the water was inviting.
Once in the in the baths we noticed the smell of sulpher however we needed no persuasion to climb in the water. We were there for hours and watched stream after stream of guided tours walking in, around and out. I looked like a prune by the time I eventually got out of the pool
The following day thorough relaxed from the long soak the day before, we boarded yet another Kamel Coc and were taken to Selcuk. On arrival at Selcuk we took a Dolmus to Ephesus.
We paid our entrance fee, bought a guide book and began our exploration. We walked at a leisurely pace through the streets of Ephesus soaking up the history. Again we noticed tour groups coming in, being frog marched around and then out the other side where their coaches we waiting for them.
We had taken our tripod with us and were able to set up the camera to take pictures whenever the groups had moved on. If you look at our photographs you would think that we had Ephesus all to ourselves!
I sat in a quite spot reading the guide book whilst Michael went to explore. I heard a lot of chattering and looked up in time to see a hoard of Japenese tourists making their way towards me. I sat still and continued to read my book. Suddenly there was frantic snapping of cameras and the chattering became more intense. I lifted my head to see what the commotion was about, to spy Michael poking his head out of what could only be described as a fire place
Once he had regained his composure and the Japenese had taken their fill of photographs, we decided to take a slow amble back to the Grand Ampitheatre and soak up some more of the atmosphere.
Once in the Grand Ampitheatre I found a quiet spot again and resumed my reading whilst Michael again wandered off in search of adventure. Now Michael and I are both fairhaired and are often mistaken for being German, so it came as no surpise to find an English speaking guide bring his group towards me. The reason he did this will become apparent shortly.
The group settled in front of me and the Guide began his talk about Ephesus. I couldn't concentrate on my book, so I placed it to one side and just drifted off in my own little world. The Guide continued to talk to his group until Michael came back and started to regail me with his adventures. The Guide realising that we were English, became quite agitated that I had been sat near his group listening to his talk, "why hadn't I made it clear I was English". I pointed out that I had been sat there first so it was his own fault and he should have had the courtesy to check and secondly I had actually learnt more from the book than I had from his droning voice.
At which point the Guide gathered up his group and hastily left the Ampitheatre.We continued our tour of Ephesus and having spent about 6 hours there we decided to walk back to Selcuk (no mean feat believe me). We arrived back in Selcuk just as our coach arrived to take us back to Pammukale where we spent our third night before returing to our hotel in Ovacik.
It was a very tiring trip but well worth the effort and the money. We worked out that we had saved a considerable amount of money doing it ourselves and we had stayed longer at the sights then the tour groups.
My advice to anyone visiting Turkey for the first time or the 20th time. If you have never ventured out of your resort and had an adventure, then do it. Its relatively easy and everyone is so friendly.
Turkey is truly on of the most beautiful places on this earth.
