TURKEY'S MAGICAL HIDEAWAYS
May 22 - June 7, 2009
Page 18
Mediterranean Cruise, Aegean Sea, and Ephesus
This was once a domed church in the ancient city of Caunos (founded around 900 BC) that bordered the
kingdoms of Lycia and Caria. This church was built around 6th century AD. Caunos was a major seaport
until the silting of the harbor, after which the city was eventually abandoned. The Mediterranean, which once
surrounded the hill on which the archaeological site stands, has retreated to the south,
pushed back by silt from the Dalyan River.
One of the most beautiful features of the Caunos site along the Dalyan River are the rock tombs sculpted in the
form of the porticoes of small Ionic temples. These are among the most splendid examples of Lycian type funerary
architecture in Turkey, although the builders were Carians. The original occupants of the tombs are obscure
but are assumed to have been Caunian noblemen and rulers; in most cases they were vacated and reused in
Roman times. In ancient times the coast and the hinterland of Asia Minor were divided into provinces
that owed their origins to the indigenous population or to peoples who colonized it from other areas.
Caria was one of those regions. It is thought that the Carians were originally from the Greek Islands
and were great seafarers and fighters.
Closeup view of some of the tombs that date from the 4th century BC.
Town of Dalyan on the Dalyan River. It is a bustling resort town.
A pedestrian street in Dalyan
Along the Dalyan River as we are starting our return riverboat ride to our yacht.
Sunset over the Mediterranean
The following morning of June 5, we made a short cruise from our cove at Heaven Island to the harbor at Marmaris,
where a minibus picked us up. We had cruised a couple of hours from Ekincik Cove to Heaven Island late afternoon
the day before. Here our crew stands beside the Sadri Usta I and says goodbye to us. Each night
we had stayed in a cove. We never cruised at night.
On our way out of Marmaris, we stopped at a viewpoint to take pictures. Marmaris is probably the most popular
yacht charter, sailing, and holiday resort in Turkey.
View of beach at Marmaris in southwestern Turkey
Another view of the Mediterranean Sea from a viewpoint in Marmaris.
Pat with part of Marmaris in the background
Link to next page of Mediterranean Cruise - Page 19
Link to first page of Drive from Cappadocia to Fethiye on the Mediterranean - Page 11
Link to first page of Cappadocia - Page 6
Link to Page One of Turkey- Istanbul
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