Farewell Europe.. East we go!

Athens - Chios Island - Denizli - Side - Kumluca

Deciding where to go next was a little bit of a dilemma. Crete? Turkey? Ikaria? So many places we want to go to, but where is it that we are suppose to go?

So we just let the universe decide for us and Turkey it was. 

We left Athens after dark and spent the night in the ferry where we made a little room underneath the stairwell. We arrived in Chios Island early in the morning and decided to spend the night and rent a car to cruise around the south side of the island. We discovered fields of red tulips that were blooming only for 2 weeks every year. We gathered some mastic gums from mastic trees that grows everywhere by the side of the road. We also discovered some interesting medieval towns that was decorated with flower of life patterns. 

Chios town from the harbour

Going through the narrow roads on Chios Island

Beautiful red tulips welcoming us in Chios Island

Spending some time with some goats on the side of the beach

Mats collecting stones by the refreshing looking water. 

Beautiful flower of life based pattern on the buildings in a medieval village called Pyrgi

In the middle of the square of Pyrgi

On the road along the south west coast Chios Island

Coastal road Chios Island

Parking the car beside a monastery facing Turkey. That is where we are going next.

We got on our ferry that took an hour to cross to Cesme, Turkey. Then we continued on our journey to Izmir, where we were planning to spend a week but instead we were taken to Denizli where Pamukkale is and spent the week there. We were glad. Thank you Universe. :-) 

Downtown Izmir, Turkey

Looking up the mountain where the castle is. We noticed the amount of flags everywhere.

During our stay in Denizli, we tried to think back and forth if it was worth going to Hierapolis, Pamukkale and pay 10euro. Finally our dilemma was answered as we were shown a way to enter Hierapolis by climbing one of the fences. So off we went!

The bus took us to Karahayit, where the northern gate of Hierapolis is located

We have to walk along side the mountain to enter Hierapolis from the side

Our walk passing through fields and mountains

Lovely walk on our way to sneak in Hierapolis

Mats exploring the tombs

As we entered from the pine forest, this is what we were brought to

Half circle seating in Hierapolis

Hierapolis, meaning the Holy City (thanks Kostas)

And ancient pool with constant flowing of hot water spring that is medicinal

Ancient ruins inside the pool. When bathing in the water, it helps cure rheumatic, asthma, skin disease, etc and when drunk it can help cure kidney stones, stomach problems, etc. 

A large amphitheater in Hierapolis

Walking down towards Pamukkale village through the calcium build up from the hot water spring

We had to walk barefoot and the ground was quite chilly, but there was hot water flowing so we can soak our feet before continuing walking again

Picture taken during sunset. The calcium build up looks like vanilla icing on a chocolate cake. Mmmhmmm!

Mission accomplished! It was time to go. Side was our next destination.

An island in Antalya on our way to Side

Our journey from Denizli to Side was passing majestic mountains

Stopped by these men who were checking each passengers

Getting a glimpse of a Ukraine dance practice from the apartment we were staying at in Side

Ruins by the side of the beach

An ancient theatre by the side of the beach

Apollo Temple by the side of the beach

During our stay in Side, we received a confirmation to pet and house sit in Fethiye at the end of April, so we looked for a nice place to stay for a month and chose a little village up the mountain near Kumluca. We ended up at a cute little place with spectacular views and incredibly friendly neighbours who happily shared their fruit and vegetables with us. We found ourselves to be living in a such loving community.

A stroll around the village on the mountain where we are living in

Found some interesting looking plants

A little forest we walked through

While walking on the side of the road, we met our cute friends, George and Cindy who are also travelling with their homes on their back

See if you can spot George and Cindy here.. It's like 'where's wally?'

Here we are, with a spectacular view right in front of the balcony

It is so nice to be home in Kumluca to have a relaxing serenity time breathing in fresh air every single moment with only birds, dogs, cats, cows and chicken that we hear mostly each day, o and the prayer calls. Until next month. :-) 

Sending my love to you from Turkey.

1ove <3