We had a totally silent night parked at the ruins of the ancient city of Olba. But it was chilly... -1C (30F) when we woke up. A good reminder of why we've been staying on the coast! Fortunately, things are starting to warm up and the next month will make a big difference. They are calling for sunny highs around 20C (68F) by the end of next week.
We left Max in his spot and went out exploring. Nobody around but us and some goats and sheep!
We could see some rock tombs across some farmers fields, so we headed over there first.
Max, parked for the night at GPS 36.58509, 33.965246
They actually farm stuff in this rocky soil.
We got to the tombs, but there really wasn't much to see.
Looking back at Max.
Remains of something.
This one had been partially excavated at some point.
Across the road from Max was the small Olba theater.
From there, we walked down the main road to the aqueduct that we had seen in the distance.
Not sure why she didn't take the steps!
Ancient tower.
The aqueduct was huge. Can you see Ruth?
How impressive it must have been in it's day!
From the aqueduct, we could see that we were at the start of a canyon. We weren't really prepared to go for a hike as such... we were just wandering around. But it looked too good to turn down, so off we went.
We didn't get very far into the canyon when we came across some more ruins. They were really interesting, and yet I can't find them marked on any map!
I was inside exploring.
Ancient fountain.
Another fountain, with some of the tile floor still intact.
We decided to keep going further into the canyon to see what there was to see!
Me, taking a break.
I went inside this cave. You could see some evidence of the past, but nothing worth taking a photo of.
We climbed up to another tomb.
This one was really big.
Looking across at the ruins.
We love exploring this stuff!
The canyon we had been in.
We would have liked to go further in, but time was getting on. In fact, it was after 1:00pm by the time we made it back to Max, and we still hadn't had lunch!
We had specifically driven inland in order to see the ruins at Uzuncaburç, but we now decided not to go. We didn't want to spend another night in the cold, and there was still one more attraction we wanted to see on our way back to the coast. Oh well, you can't see everything! And, we already had a good day. But it was about to get better!
I had seen pictures of the Adamkayalar rock carvings. The name translates literally to "Men of Rock". In this particular situation, I hadn't read any of the reviews... I only knew that from the photos, they were a very rare thing to see.
But it turns out they aren't very easy to get to, and most people don't make it!
The road into the site.
A little rough, but Max was up for the challenge.
When we arrived, there was a 4 x 4 overland vehicle already parked up.
Max, parked at GPS 36.484033, 34.120487
Interesting story.
Follow the arrow!
View from where the "trail" started.
If you can call it a trail. We had a hard time following the arrows. It's a good thing somebody actually painted the arrows on some rocks or you would never be able to find the carvings on your own. Except we got to one spot where the arrow simply pointed down! And sure enough, there were some ancient and very worn steps carved into the rock face.
"Holy crap", we said to each other as we peered over the edge.
Yep, we go down there!
Heights don't usually bother me too much, and I'm usually pretty steady on trails like this. But even I felt a little shaky going down. I was pretty sure Ruth wouldn't even attempt it, but she doesn't give up easily! Fortunately in this case, going down is usually more difficult that going back up, so at least we were fairly confident in that aspect.
Yep, she's coming down.
Yikes!
We're really surprised they haven't installed at least a rope to hold onto to get down there. Or, maybe they don't really want that many people going down. It is certainly not for the faint hearted the way it is!
It was only in reading the reviews afterwards that we learned many people make it to the parking lot, but not to the carvings. I'm not surprised.
But, it was worth it!
Beautiful view of the canyon.
Me!
This is what we came for.
Amazing.
Me, and the Men of Rock.
There is very little information available.
The experts think they were carved between 300 BC and 200 AD.
I took a short video for you...
Adamkayalar Men of Rock.
It was still fun going back up, but not as bad as going down!
From where Max was parked, we then headed up the hill to some more ruins.
Still standing after all these years!
Back at Max, the guy with the 4 x 4 was outside, so we said hello. Jelle and Tine are a young couple from Belgium and traveling overland for as far as they can get. They hope to make it to Vietnam! They are on a long term trip, possibly three or four years if the money doesn't run out. Good for them, able to do it so young. It turns out that they also had met and spent some time with friends Katja and Yves. Too funny.
Jelle and Tine and their overland vehicle.
They were low on water so weren't spending the night, but we decided to stay. It was very peaceful, but we woke up this morning to a strong wind. Max is pretty stable in the wind, so we'll see how far we make it today.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And in Canada...
Seeing those photos of Ruth scrambling down the rock I had to chuckle thinking about your kids back at home reading this & getting worried about their parents hot-dogging it down a cliff halfway around the world.
ReplyDeleteHow funny it is that somewhere along the way we change places with our parents & the risky things they used to nervously implore us not to do as children we later end up yelling at them for. "You'll break your neck!"
But then you got to the picture "This is what we came here for" and I gasped out loud - very loudly! Even your kids would have to concede that it was worth mom & pop taking the crazy risk to scramble down some rocks to access that. Well done, hot doggers!
I too gasped rather loudly when I saw the first picture of the Men in the Rock. Unbelievable! So thankful to be "traveling" with you guys!
DeleteLol, it is a bit funny that the shoe seems to be on the other foot now but our kids know what we are capable of so I am sure they aren't too worried about us. However if our almost 11 year old grandson was with us I would probably be super nervous of him going down that trail!
DeleteIt definitely was worth that climb down to see those carvings, they truly are amazing. It is totally beyond our imagination as to how someone got down there and created these pieces of art so long ago and what would ever possess them to do this halfway down a cliff side in a big canyon.
I think that we gasped when we saw the carvings as well Nancy, I know we said "wow" quite a few times. We are glad that we could bring you pictures of this sight to you and to the rest of our readers. :-)
That was just an amazing! Crazy that you had to crawl down that Cliff that way but well worth it. Glad you both are safe.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was an amazing sight to see! The climb down was well worth it, although I am still trying to figure out how I did that, I guess it was just sheer determination that did it, it certainly wasn't a hike for the faint of heart!
DeleteWhat an amazing place! Thanks for sharing 😊
ReplyDeleteIt sure was and we are so happy that we did the hike to see these carvings and to bring pictures back for all to see. :-)
DeleteI am forevermore grateful of the lengths you and Ruth go to to educate, enlighten and enthrall me. I know y'all are having fun doing it, but we reap all the benefits.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, we are so glad that you enjoyed the posts and the efforts that we go to in order to bring them to you and our readers. Having said that we do it for ourselves because we love to get off the beaten path and explore places that many people will never get the chance to see. :-)
DeleteOutstanding! Thanks for climbing down to see them…so we don't have to. ( heights are not my jam!)
ReplyDeleteIt was well worth the climb down and I am not a fond lover of heights myself but taking it slowly and shimming down on our bums in a few places was all that was needed to order to get to these carvings. I have to admit that I am still not quite sure how I managed that but I am happy that we were both able to get down so that we could bring you back pictures of these beautiful carvings. :-)
DeleteWow that place is amazing! Thank you for tackling those so-called steps to show it to us! I'd be one of those people still in the parking lot.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a special sight to see! We are glad that we were able to feel confident enough with our hiking skills to feel that we could attempt that hike down. Many people who come here never make it down, at least that is what a lot of the reviews have said from those that attempted it. It is definitely not a hike for the faint of heart, Kevin is still wondering how I managed it, lol!
DeleteAwesome blog! The area is beautiful with canyons, the scary trail, and the view from the ruins to ocean is breathtaking. Yes, very lucky to see the aqueducts and their immense size compared to a human figure. Amazing carvings from so long ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The views from the canyon were fantastic. Yep, the trail was definitely a little sketchy in a couple of sections but if you take it slowly and carefully it can be done, it was definitely worth the effort in order to see those carvings.
DeleteThe aqueduct was very impressive and in such a pretty setting.
Wow, that was an amazing sight -- and hike! Good on you both for attempting and making it. Well worth it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily! We are so glad that we attempted that hike too, it was well worth the effort. :-)
DeleteOh my goodness!!! When I got down to the photos of the carvings, my mouth hung open. We have traveled some in Turkey and know it is filled with historical ruins, more than most people realize. But those carvings... only intrepid travelers like you can enjoy them, and then we can vicariously. So though I don't post often, I felt I had to say a big Thank You!
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy that you enjoyed our pictures of the rock carvings. They were really impressive.
DeleteYou are totally right about Türkiye being so full of historical ruins, it is a country that has certainly exceeded our expectations. We never knew that it contained so many amazing places and sights to see.
Thank you for commenting and appreciating the work that we put into our blog. :-)
I think you've found the pot of gold traveling in Turkiye. Kevin, uyou look pretty cool sitting under those carvings!
ReplyDeleteI think that we have Chris! It reminds us so much of Mexico in so many ways, mostly because it is full of such treasures and beautiful scenery. Like Mexico, it would take us a very long time to explore the whole country. I am sure we will be back here again some day.
DeleteAnother super- amazing day. So glad you were able to find the men of rock. Wondering what the landscapes were like when the carvings were done,where did the artisans stand to do this, or what sort of scaffolding did they need to construct first. "Let curiosity lead the way"
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was! I think we now need a couple of days of doing nothing in order to catch our breath. :-)
DeleteWe would think that the landscape probably wasn't a whole lot different from what it is now but perhaps there might have been a bit more of a ledge below the carvings. They certainly would have had to build something in order to carve into the sheer cliff face. I guess the archaeologists/historians don't have all that figured out yet.
Wow that sound slike it was an awsome day and you guys met another Belgian couple!
ReplyDeleteGoing to Vietnam with their Defender...awsome!
It was a fantastic day! When we met this couple we immediately thought of you and Freya. Wow, what an adventure those two are going to have!
Delete