Monday 4th April

Monday 4^th April  Land in Antalya and on buses for a long drive to Side, we were here in 1972 but we must not have been paying attention as we do not recall the amphitheatre or the Apollo Temple but I guess they are not new since we were here. Apollo was depicted as a young athletic figure without any trace of facial hair.  He is the god of light and sun, symbolizing truth and prophecy, having the power of cure and healing, god of music, poetry and arts, protective against plague and cureless sorrows, son of the “ god of gods” Zeus and Leto.  Man after my own heart.

After Lunch of to Aspendos where there is a spectacular Amphitheatre build by none other than the well know Marcus Aurelius (ad 161-180), I do not remember him but some do, which has been  restored and is in use today for Opera and Ballet.  It was well worth seeing.

Then on to Perge to see another city inhabited by Greeks after the Trojan war, who displaced previous lot, then came Alex the Great and also the Byzantines.   Everything this day has been very special.  I cannot get over cities that were build in one year and modified 800 years later.  Hard to imagine a city existing that long but some did for up to 4000 years.

One of the friends we meet  on the trip was taken to Hospital in Antalya with gallstones but sounds like he will survive.

I don't remember this when we were here in Side in 1972, maybe build for the tourist

Apollo's Temple

Don't remember this in 1972 or was not big tea drinker then

Turkish delight

Pretty special Amphitheater



This is still used for concerts, opera and other entertainment

THE WONDERFUL OLD RUINS OF PERGE

The hot underwater system for the bath house

Main street with the remains of the waste feature in the middle of street

Just us again