12/14 – One of the main reasons Jim wanted to come to this town is that it is the start of a 300 mile way-marked trail called the Lycian Way, or Likya Yolu. Without our tent and stove, we are not prepared to hike this long and challenging trail, but we would like to do some day treks to hike it part way. The man who rented us the apartment didn’t know much about it, so we are going to have to find it ourselves. There is a trail guidebook, but we haven’t figured out how to get Amazon to deliver it to Turkey!

We set out from our apartment on the road that leads up the mountain, figuring this would be the logical direction. It’s a beautiful afternoon for a brisk walk up a steep hill.

On the way, we pass the Hotel California – who knew?

Jim investigates an old water cistern.

The town where we are staying caters to Brits on holiday, and there’s lots of construction of condos and villas up in the hills.

Fortunately, the original residents haven’t all been driven out.

We see a sign and a flag at the top of the hill, and eventually reach it. It is not the Lycian Way, but the entrance to Babadag, where folks more adventurous than we come to parasail off the mountaintop over the ocean.

A lovely trek, but no Lycian Way here.

12/15 – Next day we set out in the other direction, downhill toward the sea.

We pass the group of old men downtown sipping tea. Guess every town has them.

This time we find the right road:

The trail is marked with red and white blazes.

We follow the trail to where we can see the Mediterranean Sea, and and walk the ridge until we can see the famous Blue Lagoon. The white sandy beach with clear turquoise water is where the sun worshipers flock all summer. It is a gorgeous sight.

A beautiful day in December, where butterflies still fly and roses still bloom. Life is good!