I departed the Grand Okan around 10:30am to begin heading west in earnest for the first time in Turkey.
First stop was Side out on the peninsula around 60km west of Alanya. I had skimmed the info. on Wikipedia noticing more of the historical features and the photo of the Temple of Apollo with not a soul in view. As I rounded the bend into Side I was amazed at the sheer volume of tourists streaming along the footpaths and filling the streets.
On the approach it is apparent that there are significant ancient ruins to be seen there and hundreds/thousands of tourists too see them. I parked in the Oto Park for free, close to the start of the tourist walk down to the harbour. The street leading down to the harbour is heaving with tourists who must have an allotted period to bag their souvenirs, scoff their lunch and squeeze in some of the sights before departing.
Side - packed with busloads of tourists.
I made my way, mostly down a side-lane, to the harbour and around to the Temple of Apollo. It is an impressive structure (well, ruin of one) in an equally impressive location with an equally amazing number of visitors.
Temple of Apollo
I took a few photos then asked a seemingly blind German to take my photo.....what do you think?
Photo taken by possibly blind German.
I continued wandering around for a bit getting increasingly hot and sweaty in my lined motorcycle pants (which are great in the cold and rain but a little warm in the sunshine at my much slower speeds). A few more photos of the impressive theatre and ruins before mounting the little GoPro HD Hero2 for some video on the way out (videos to come soon - inshallah).
There is quite a bit to see at Side.
Such as the impressive theatre.
Shortly after leaving Side I noticed a sign to Aspendos and something rang a bell. I took the turn-off and was soon rewarded with a lovely old bridge over the strongly flowing Eurymedon River. It was definitely a quick stop - didn't even take my jacket and helmet off and I was on my way (noticing posters for the Aspendos Theatre's upcoming opera productions). I didn't see a sign to the theatre so I headed towards Antalya to see the Duden Waterfall and have some lunch.
Aspendos Bridge (the Theatre is nearby…)
The Duden Waterfall entering the Mediterranean is rather impressive with its 40m drop into the sea. Again busloads of tourists had been delivered to the viewing areas. The spray from the waterfall was very refreshing after the earlier hot walking around and warmer temperature of the day.
Duden waterfall drops around 40m into the Mediterranean.
I rode through Antalya on the slow city roads amongst the traffic before reaching the wonderful coastal road taking me to Olympos. There was a particularly good stretch of smooth and flowing mountainside road with views both seaward and landward.
The coastal road out of Antalya is very enjoyable
Unfortunately the road deteriorated with roadworks and drivers who either wanted to die or kill me. I needed to slam on the brakes at least twice to avoid head-on collisions with cars overtaking when they should not. One woman received a single finger salute and by the quick look I managed on the way past it looked like her male passenger was on my side.
Heading down the mountain into Olympos is amazing with a road so winding, the mountains so steep and the vegetation so thick that you can't see your destination at all. Olympos, these days, is a strung out 'arrangement' of small pansiyons (pensions), food places and shops tucked up along the banks of the river which bisects the Olympos ruins and runs through the rocky shore into the sea.
Olympos is way down the bottom there (somewhere).
It seems most accommodation is basic, (and should be for the price I suppose) being a little timber, stilted cabin. The deal included diner and breakfast, so for the price it is quite acceptable. Dinner is enjoyable and filling and breakfast is the typical fare.
Natural Pansiyon - nice, simple and relaxed.
I was advised internet was available at check-in, unfortunately it was from next door (not working), or via someone's iPhone. The blackout(s) are also an interesting touch to the authenticity of the stay.