We had read all about the sunken city at Kekova road. It was 15 Kms by tender passing rugged coast line and lots of islands. The sea is calm so only a 30 minute trip to the town of Ucagiz, where we meet our guide Hakin Genc. Hakin is 40, a bachelor and son of a doctor. He is happy and intelligent. He explains that Kekova had been an important trading centre in BC and Roman times. Also a busy boat renovating area.
It was occupied by many people Lycian, Greek, Romans, Byzantine and Turks.
What is evident is the great number of stand alone distinctive sarcophagi. Haken explains that Kekova was like Venice everything travelled in boats via here, with shops and houses lining the waterfront. It suffered two very bad earthquakes in around 100 and 300 AD. It appears the place sank about a meter. Therefore, all the foreshore shops and wharfs are now underwater. You are not allowed to snorkel in this area but with Harkens animated story of life at that time it was easy to imagine what it all looked like.
Harken then took us to a large cave into which we were able to drive the tender. There was beautiful light from deep blue water and reflected from the light outside.
He also took us to a cold sulphur river, near the town of Myra. Paul drove the tender fast up the river. We stopped and walked to a pool of cold 9 degree cold sulphur water coming from a spring. Here, the locals take the water to cure themselves of rheumatism and various aches and pains. We enjoyed spending time with the locals where no tourists go. On our way back to Ucagiz, we visit the castle at 'Kale Koy', and enjoy a great Turkish lunch at a waterfront family restaurant. We have fish Sis and salad all prepared by the father.
We drop Haken to his home town of Ucagiz, a quaint small old town with lots of carpet shops.
Harken suggests we snorkel on another sunken city on the way back to Kas. This is a bay where there is nobody, only a couple of empty houses. We snorkeled for about one hour working out how the town was before it went underwater. We saw a lot more fish life and coral than we have seen anywhere in the med.
Today was a very full day both interesting and fun.
JB and Mick