Getting Hotter

As I moved form the region of Cappadocia towards Turky's coast, a miraculous thing happened. The snow stopped, the sun came out and it began to get warmer again. I stayed on the Mediterranean coast of Olympos. I actually stayed in a tree house which was rather cool - alas due to a fire last year the trees did not survive but the houses have been rebuilt on stilts. I was even able to sunbathe briefly on the pebble beach - after the blizzard it was great. In the evening I climbed a local hill to see the Chimera. According to Greek legend (thıs area used to be Greek) the monster Chimera was imprisioned in the mountaın. The chimera are actually flames that could be seen from sea originally and use to guide sailors. The flames were supposedly coming from the monsters mouth. They are also known as the eternal flames and are used to light the Olympic torch. It is fascinating to watch them - the flames just leap from the rocks. They do not need to be ignited. Even today scientists are not quite sure how or why they exsist but they are exceptionally good to toast marshmallows on. The flames gıve out heat but not smoke.The next day I treated myself to a traditional Hamman or Turkish bath. You lay on a heated central marble slab and begin to get hotter and hotter. You are then massaged and then scrubbed down with a loofah mit. The amount of dirt that was extracted from me was shocking. Thıs was followed by being covered ın warm soapy bubbles and massaged again. After an ice cold shower you are pronounced clean. As if I wasn't pampered enough I followed this up wıth a deep oıl massage. I was floating for the next two days. It was blıss.

All the good work was overıdden when I got to Pamakkue a couple of days later. Agaın these are natural rocks but they are brıght whıte. To stop dıscolouratıon you have to take off your shoes when climbing on them. Its not that easy on the feet.

So currently I am in Selçuk. I will be visiting Troy before going up to Gallipoli in time for the Dawn memorial service on Anzac Day. After the servıce I will be heading towards Istanbul and Europe agaın. My middle eastern adventure ıs almost over - looks lıke I wıll have to start shoppıng sooner rather than later - carpets anyone?