Turkey: Monday 20 October 2014

Today we had booked an excursion which was part nature and part shopping! Our first stop was the Manavgat waterfalls - now it was no Niagra Falls but it was it was nice to see and take a few snaps. However, for some reason they gave us 40 mins here when 20 mins would have been more than enough as there was nothing else to do and everyone was back on the coach in record time!

The next stop was a factory outlet which sold knock-off clothes, shoes and handbags - lets just say it was an hour lost in our lives that we are never going to get back. It was in the middle of nowhere so you couldn't go and have a wander around elsewhere, and there is only so much slow walking around a load of crappy and cheap looking clothes that two people can do......not a great start.

Next stop was the local market where we were warned we would get hassled but it was nothing compared to the hassle we have had in markets in Asia! It was pretty much similar tut as the factory outlet so we thought oh great, we have 1 and a half hours of this, but then we found a food market where the locals go and it was a much more interesting experience and we started enjoying it!

Spices in the food market

Locals selling their wares!

We even stopped off in the food market for a turkish tea (which I enjoyed) and a turkish Mocha (which Peter said he wouldn't get again!).

Our turkish drinks

After the market they took us on a boat along the River Manavgat where we had lunch and a stop off at the beach where the river joins the sea before sailing back. It was nice and relaxing, and the views of the Taurus Mountains were good, but we agreed that the day wasn't one of the better trips we have done but at least we got out and about and saw some interesting things.

View from the beach over the river

Tonight at the hotel was Turkish night - the food was delicious and then we had turkish dancing in the lounge which was amazing, especially as the dancers kept spinning around and then jumping on to their knees (it must of hurt!). After that they had a live band - it was a good evening!

 

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