Day 11 Tuesday

Another early start got us away to the brilliant Antalya Museum which houses artifacts  rescued from looting by occupying forces following WW1.  They all reflect the rich history of this region.   The smaller exhibits are arranged in chronological order starting with simple pottery from Early Stone and simple pins and tools made from bone.   The following rooms held priceless examples of pottery from the Classic Age5^th – 4^th Century BC and displayed a fine collection of red and black ware.  The larger rooms held life sized examples of marble statues of various gods and officials and their families that had been found in nearby temples and theatres.  The carving on the dozen or so sarcophagus was so detailed and brilliantly carved.

 This visit was followed by one to the theatre at Aspendos, a well preserved example of a Roman Theatre which could seat 10 to 12,000 people.  It was used for performances and entertainments and is still used for events seating over 20,000 at a recent show.   It is the best preserved theatre that we have seen so far.  A group of visitors started singing a classical piece and it was wonderful.  The acoustics were excellent from the top of the walkway where I was sitting.  

Ping joined us for lunch at a cute little restaurant which luckily was by the side of a small river.  He is enjoying this trip enormously too althougfh I haven't found a tiny fez for him yet. 

After lunch we started to leave the coast and travel inland to our overnight destination of Konya passing through pine covered mountains on all sides.  Konya is the city of the Whirling Dervishes so that will be interesting.  I’m getting lots of knitting done during the long coach trips.