We've become regulars at the excellent Chinese restaurant just down the road from our hotel. To the amazement of the other English the manager shakes our hand upon arrival and leaving, and yesterday asked if we'd be returning tomorrow.
It's low season here now. In fact the agent we booked today's trip with says it's winter, and cold. Cold with temperatures in the high eighties, that would explain the need for him to wear a jacket zipped to his neck.
Up early this morning, as promised a coach arrived at our pick up point for today's trip into the Taurus mountains to Green Canyon. The water's green because of the copper that washes down into it from the mountains. Enroute we spotted the well preserved remains of a Roman aquaduct.
On the coach, us, three French, a couple of Russians, one a dead ringer for the actress Sue Pollard, and a lot of very serious Germans.
En route to the canyon at stop at the bridge by the dam for, and we quote the driver, ' a chance to take photographs and smoke a cigarette'. The smoking of cigarettes is rife here, God knows how our lungs are fairing. Before boarding our boat to tour the canyon, we were told not to forget our coach number was Nine. Of course we fell about laughing like children. Nein, nein fraulein. Actually the title of a song sung by Anne Shelton in 1926.
German jokes aside we set sail. With a chance to swim in the green waters of the canyon during the trip bags and cool bags were opened and we watched as lager and tots of spirits were consumed. Just the refreshment to consume before swimming. However as the boat slowly drifted between the limestone mountains that guarded the canyon a cool wind blee, and despite being fuelled with bravado only four people braved the water after our guide informed us it's temperature was just 15 c.
A precarious drive back down the mountain to another lake where a lunch of either fish or chicken, rice, pasta, salad and bread awaited us. And very nice it was as well. We really enjoyed today. Driving out away from the beach and seeing more of the 'real' Turkey. Tomorrow we have a trip booked to the city of Antalya, that's if the driver remembers to pick us up. And we must remember on the coach to sit only in the seat we chose when you getting on. On today's trip our efficient European neighbours were very unhappy that some people changed seats for the return journey. Honestly. What did it matter? A whole lot to some apparently.
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