We had booked a safari jeep tour on day we went to the market. The jeep we were told would come to pick us early on Thursday, around 9 am.I knew it was going by an interesting excursion. From the flyers I could see that we would visit a cave. I have never visited one before. The thought of it like pre-occupied my mind till the very day of the visit.
The day finally came, I dressed casually this time around, I was expecting to come back dirty.
And moved to stuff my rucksack with food and bottled water. We observed our usually morning ritual - bath and breakfast. And later, went to the street. We waited at hotel’s restaurant just besides the road and expected a safari jeep to show up soon. When the jeep would not arrive, I was bored and decided to listen to music a on YouTube. I played one of my favourite songs ‘’ Sky full of Stars ‘’ by Coldplay. We’re enjoying the beat when the jeep finally showed up. A bearded tall man with assumably disposition came out of the vehicle. He looked intently in our direction, trying to figure out who were the passengers. We wasted no time at approaching him. We exchanged pleasantries. After a brief introduction, He requested payment before any other thing. We paid him $50. $ 25 for each of us.
We entered the jeep through the back door. We sat down facing each other. There were two Turkish ladies in the middle seat. They had come from Ankara and were on holiday too.
The driver and also the tour guard, started the vehicle, revved the engine and thrusted us forward. Before we knew, we were cruising on the road.
I was not actually expecting a monster jeep excursion. I thought it would be a bus.
The open roof Landover jeep was heavily reinforced. The driver was bouncing up the vehicle as we rolled on the road .We soon got the main express way-Ahmet Tokus Blv . The driver was playing loud western music all along, Then I played the one I like.
A song dedicated to the city of Alanya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YhHbcVNWio&t=54s
The driver want to us to party.so encouraged us to stand up and swayed to the music.I was not prepared for any tiring experience and at same not want to let him down, I stood up and began to dance. The ladies who were as if waiting for it already took the dance to next level. After rally enough support for him, I sat down and was watching buildings which were passing before my eyes. Then we got to a speed where the wind blowing us was unbearable. My ears were hurting from the gush of air. I had to improvise with a toilet roll which I shaped into an ear plug.I blocked my ear with my home made ear-plug and it soon lessened the pressure on my eardrums.
I was more than happy when he swerved right from the express way to a narrow steepy road to our left. Then he suddenly halted the car. We all bounced up in the process. He laughed and reminded us we were on Safari Jeep. One life, live it - was visibly written on the vehicle.
We drove to banana plantation which I found rather strange. My many years, I have never seen a banana field this expansive. Even, the green houses on the plantation are so massive that they needed a special irrigation.
We left the banana plantation and headed further up the mountain.After hours of driving us, we got to a café on the hill.
The driver stopped the vehicle and told us we have fifteen minute to drink coffee. I did not feel like tasting anything. It seemed my appetite has gone away. Instead, I walked across the café to a stone bridge at the back . I was on an ancient stone arch bridge. I felt a sense of accomplishment. It was as if I found a treasure. First time on a stone bridge.
I came down to the bank of the river near the bridge and took pictures.
After, nothing was so interesting to me. I sat down and watched those who were playing with cats. Later, we all returned to the vehicle and continued the journey.
On the way to the roof of the world.
Our driver keeping accelerating the vehicle as we farther climbed upward. The mountains are now reaching for the sky. We followed the road at a good speed. Yet, despite our high speed, the driver managed to dodge
oncoming vehicles on the narrow single road. Any mishap and we would find ourselves at the bottom of the mountain.We finally reached the parking lot to the Cave. We came down. Stretched arms and legs as much as we could after cramping from the jeep.
We walked to the counter and paid 10 lira each. After making payment, we soon embarked on this frightful walk on narrow bridge that led to the Cüceler Mağarası cave. The experience was slightly eerily. We covered about 150m distance before we reach the entrance of the cave. As we were about to enter it, a family of four came out. Their presence re-assured us that there was nothing to worry about.Seeing them coming out, I walked confidently down the stairs and into the center of the cave. The cave was well lit and I was not so afraid Afterall. I was just expectant. Perhaps, I was just too curiosity.I was soon touching the walls of the cave and wanted to collect rock samples.Then, I noticed that the surface of the cave was wet. Water was seeping from it. I surmised that the water was coming from the top of the mountain. The tour guard came closer and soon start amusing us with funny jokes about the shapes carved on the walls.We would lost interest quickly in the cave, and wanted to leave.
One by one, we made our way out of the cave, back into the open air, we walked back to the car park. Some left for the jeep while I strolled to the edge of the car park and gazed into the surrounding rocks below.
The driver beckoned to me to return to the jeep. He was ready to leave now. We continued our journey down the mountain. We came across tourist buses heading to same cave we had just left. Seemly, the Germans and the poles tourists on the buses were in a rave. They were the first to wave to us. We waved back at them and pretended were just partying .
All ways lead to Sapadere Kanyonu
We joined the main road that led to Sapadere Canyon . The canyon, no doubt popular. Almost all the road
sign post read ‘’ This way to Sapadere Kanyonu ‘’. We continued our journey on the narrow road.
We soon got stuck in a traffic for a moment. A road repair work was on going. While waiting for the traffic to clear out, other tourist vehicles joined us too. All in a convoy we passed through the valley that led to the canyon. At lastly, we were at the vehicle entrance of the canyon.
The car park was bustling. Hundreds of tourists were already on ground enjoying themselves.
We drove further inward where tourist vehicles were packed. Private vehicles were stopped at the main gate.
Our driver parked and told us to walk 500m ahead and we would see the entrance of the canyon.
We walked to the entrance and my partner went ahead to change her clothes at the change room. As for me, I simply changed my clothes on the road.
What an amazing view! I exclaimed. A river flowing in a gorge and vertical grey rock on both sides. They are so high that they blocked out the sunlight. I walked attentively on the narrow bridge.
I was troubled by thought of falling into the abyss from the narrow wooden bridge. Yet, I was determined to make it to the waterfall at the end of the bridge. I walked as quick as possible. Occasionally, stopping to take photograph.
In to time, I reached the end of the bridge. In my front was the waterfall and I waited for my wife to catch up with me and when she arrived, she insisted on swimming in the chilling water below us. I wanted to object her. But I did not say anything to discourage her from diving into the watershed. I knew she is an excellent swimmer.We returned to the carpark after spending hours in the canyon. By now, we were all tired. Nobody wanted to talk.The driver himself was wearied just like us. We quietly boarded the jeep and he drove us back to the city. On our way back, the sun was overhead and blistering. I had to improvised a head cover with my T-shirt , by making a headscarf out of it.
We did return straight away to the city. The driver took us to another wonderland.There, I saw a dam on the mountain. I always believe all rivers flow on the valley. Little did I realize a river could passing on mountain top.
I was more concerned about the river on the mountain that I kept my head up, trying to figure out where exactly the water was coming from.
All the while, I was completely oblivious of the drama unfolding in my front. A picnic park on a river!
The drive took a right turn and screeched to halt. He took us across a bridge with drizzling water spray from
the top.The whole park was built on river. It is a merry land of sort. After the whole experience , we returned back to the hotel.
The Window-Shopping Delight.
On last Friday of our vacation, we decided to go for walk on the main street that lead to a popular shopping district.
As for my partner, she has been in Turkey several times. The first was when she won a lottery in 2005. So, she knew were we were going for shopping.And likewise, she has brought me clothes from the Turkey in the past and I myself wanted to buy clothes too.
We enjoyed our window shopping as we walked along. Ultimately, we got to the shopping mall where the popular outlet- Waikiki clothing is located. I picked few clothes for myself and soon joined her on the second floor where she was picking children clothing for her niece.
At the end of the day, we bought two packets full of clothes. We were contented. We headed back to the hotel .We chose to return back to the hotel through the Alanya Marina and on the way we passed the tourist market.
We spent the rest of days going on to the beach. I bought a swim shoe to avoid the slippery rocky beach.
On 2nd of September we flew back to Russia.
The vacation is one whose memory will stay with me for a long time to come.