Today we left behind the most excellent Hideaway Hotel, which we were especially sorry to do because this morning’s breakfast was the first time the wind was calm and we could eat out on the roof terrace overlooking the azure Mediterranean Sea.  Our timing is just a bit unfortunate, but we were ready to head in a new direction, into central Turkey.  First, however, we had to drive further east along the coast (another beautiful winding coastal road) and get through the rather large city of Antalya.  With Phyllis driving and Craig directing, we successfully navigated through this population center of a million (there are no bypasses here) and drove on to the small tourist town of Side for the night.  The approach to downtown was quite striking as the road wound around and in between the ruins of an ancient city, many of which are well preserved.  At one point, it looks like you are driving straight into an old Roman amphitheater and in fact drive under an arch coming off of it built in the second century A.D.!

Many hotels and pansyions in Side are still closed for the winter although the weather is starting to become quite nice, and we had to check a couple of places before finding a home for the night.  The place was a bit spartan but adequate for the one night needed.  We walked down to the waterfront promenade and stopped for a beer on a terrace overlooking the water.  After dark, we wandered further around looking for a restaurant and found the neon-lighted tourist strip, which was way too noisy and bright for our taste even though it is not tourist season yet.  Surprising how just a couple of small streets buffering can mark the tourist zone boundary.  After finally finding quiet restaurant off the gaudy strip, we retired to prepare ourselves for a long day tomorrow.