Lycia, Turkey

Lycia in the southwest of Turkey - Start in the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos. Alexander the Great besieged it, finally throwing in the towel and rejoining the hippie trail to India. Then on to Antalya on the Mediterranean. Another big city with a picturesque (pronounced touristy) old town, Kaleiçi. As it was Ramadan, there were festivities at night with a throbbing disco beat to keep a weary traveller awake. Then overland to the Aegean, staying in the village of Faralya, perched atop rugged cliffs. A climb down a goat trail to Butterfly Valley. Daytrippers from the town down the coast, come in the easy way by boat. Then back up for a fiery sunset as Apollo steers his chariot to the horizon. The musical accompaniment is Ölürüm Sana by Tarkan, and Siradan by Hadise.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Turkey - From Istanbul's otogar (thats bus station to English speakers), I boarded an overnight coach, arriving in Cappadocia at the crack of dawn. in the town of Göreme. People have been carving homes into the rocks of this surreal landscape for ages. And what did I do after a night on a bus without sleep, but go hiking for hours. I walked the Rose Valley to Çavusin, catching a dolmus back. The next day, I tramped the Pigeon Valley (devoid of pigeons) to the castle-like Uçhsar. A busy day next. A plunge into the depths of Derinkuyu, the underground city, which once housed thousands. Then a stroll through the Ilhara Gorge, with monasteries carved into the cliff sides. Finally, ascending the heights of Selime Monastery. Back to another otogar to depart as I arrived. On another overnight coach. The musical accompaniment is Menouthis by E. S. Posthumus and Pompeii also by E. S. Posthumus.