We decided that since we don't have any room for presents, we would give Diego the opportunity to excavate his very own ancient stone-cut dwelling for his birthday.
Impossible? Not out here...
While we were out hiking around to some old windmills and an Ottoman period cistern, we spotted what looked like little holes in the rock from way across the valley. We all decided to return later to investigate.
The next day we started out early with a purpose and after buying a loaf of bread and some sweets we were off, now joined by one of the local dogs, a real scraggly one. Our trip took us back to the cistern and the base of the windmills. At this point, we ventured down the slope to what we saw from so far away as possible caves. After a bit of scrambling around we found what we were looking for. Caves! Cut right into the limestone rock, rooms with graves cut into the floor, chimneys and old water collecting areas. There were four distinct structures along the valley wall connected by chipped out water runs. One of these had completely lost its roof. The others were intact however, and proved to be just what we had hoped: all overgrown with brush and super old. The openings were mostly hidden from view and the ones we spotted from far away were only a small percentage of what we actually found. Who knows what people lived here. Whoever they were, they took a considerable amount of time to make their caves. Some were decorated with designs and symbols. Pretty cool, like what you imagined as kids, finding old caveman houses. Well this was the real deal. We really couldn't top that, but a trip to the toystore and some milkshakes were in order.
This was not a problem. Bodrum has all this and more. A short bus trip and a insanely long walk provided us with more than we could handle. After walking around the 400 BC amphitheatre, which is right on the main road, we headed to the Oasis shopping mall for milkshakes, fries, presents, and bowling. Diego bowled a 119! From here, our energy restored, we ventured to more ancient ruins. The highlight of these was the Mindus Gate, another super old relic of a town long ago. Basically some big castle-like towers surrounded by bits of rubble and a moat. Still, like nothing in Portland... except maybe the witches house up in Lower Maclay Park.
We made it home, sore footed and hungry. We all did our best Silas impression: "I'm hongry!" and had a proper birthday meal of scrambled eggs and fried hot dogs.
As we realize our time here in Turkey, and especially the southern coast, comes to an end, we are sad and a bit shocked that it all went by so fast. One more week and back to Istanbul. So up next? A trip to Ephesus maybe and the temple of Artemis, maybe a trip further south. Not sure, but stay tuned: more wonderful times on the way!
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
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