Nemrut Dagi

Nemrut Dagi (the "g" is silent but indicates a separation between the vowels: we pronounced it "Nemroot Doggie" nonetheless) is a mountain in eastern Turkey, not particularly high, but above tree-line, upon which the 3rd century BCE Commagene ruler Antiochus built an over-sized setting of statues of the gods, himself included (hopefully). Not just a setting, but two, nearly identical, one facing east, one facing west. Antiochus was deeply into hedging his bets. Above the east and west terraces is a huge 150m artificial mound, which, presumably, contains the remains of Antiochus. Incredibly, the place was not "discovered," until 1881, nor excavated, partially, until 1995.  Over the millenia, earthquakes have tumbled the heads off their seated bodies, but they have been set aright, if not originally, then picuresquely. It is a fascinating place, especially considering the size of the statues and the height and remoteness of the site.

View of Nemrut Dagi; rather than subject the Grey Wanderer

to a high-angle uncertain road, we simply took the maxitaxi

up to the top; well, 600m from the top; the summit cone is

artificial

A view from the top (nearly); it is truly, truly, a harsh land,

all jagged limestone, even worse than what we saw in

southern Spain

A view of the eastern terrace; heads toppled from their

thrones, but set aright below

Me, conferring with the gods

Approximately 1/5 of the world's lady bug population lives

on Nemrut Dagi; seriously

The eastern terrace

Us on the western terrace

On the western terrace

"Hey, mister tambourine man, play a tune for

 me"

Bad leg, bad arm, but she photographs well,

and can go anywhere; and I love her