Anatalya, Turkey Shore Excursion and Port Reviews Ancient Cities of Perge and Aspendos At 7am the R-7 nestled against the dock at the Antalya Harbor. A snow-dusted range of mountains called the Taurun Range surrounded the pristine bay. The white snow capped mountains forecasted the reason for the brisk winds and cool temperatures that greeted us. As the bus passed through a metropolis of modern high-rise apartment complexes and buildings, people scurried to their jobs and other daily activities. Vendors balanced large trays of Simach (a local Turkish bread with toasted sesame seeds) on their head never missing a step. This is Turkey’s answer to McDonald’s fast food. Known as the “Turquoise Coast” Antalya’s first industry is tourism, both for Asia Minor and European travelers. Its second industry, agriculture boasts cops of handpicked virgin cotton, hothouse vegetables and a variety of citrus fruits. 90% of the population practices the Muslim religion and it has only been in the last 2 to 3 years that women have been granted religious equality now being able to pray side-by-side with the men. A devout Muslim faithfully prays 5 times a day and travels to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Traveling down the modern 4-lane road system the motor coach arrived in the rural area know as Seric where we viewed the ruins of the Acropolis and ancient Aqueduct. We toured an ancient theater/stadium that accommodated 15,000 people in Belkim on foot. In historic days it was used as a caravan stop for travelers on camel, mule or horse back. The theater was an awesome sight. A solo trumpet player (accompanied by a baying dog) serenaded all of us as we explored the site. By 10 am we returned to the bus and were on our way to Perge that was once a walled city. “Arif”, our Turkish guide, skillfully guided us through the Roman baths and the main marketplace. The ruins of Perge are believed to have been devastated by an earthquake in the 2nd century and the entire town was buried and then abandoned. Today the site is still being uncovered and reconstructed. Dozens of Turkish vendors (mostly women with small children nestled on their backs or cradled in their arms) hawked their wares of jewelry and slate carvings. Some spun cotton into fat balls or worked diligently on half-finished lace doilies they crocheted. Arif (the guide) was a former secondary school and college teacher and was well equipped to provide an excellent tour and an interesting day. I would easily give this tour a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. If you have any questions e-mail me () at itravel@jps.net