So, after Mersin, the tollway ended and we got on the D400 coastal road, and marveled at the resort/beach development all along here, condos and pansiyons and what-have-you, and then--what was
that?!--we pass a collection of Roman ruins, make a U-turn ("when possible," as Tom says), and resolve to park in the shade, have lunch, and explore the site. While I look at the archaeological signage, Vicki heads off into the adjoining municipal park/beach, and, through international RV sign language with a fellow (Turkish) RVer, ascertains it is indeed OK to over-night here. We pull in, find a shady spot about 50 feet from the ruins and 150 feet from the beach, and have been here now 4 days and 3 nights. We might leave tomorrow. Maybe not. There are other campers, tourists, swimmers, pick-nickers, fisherman, and two dogs that patrol the area. The ruins are far more extensive than we had first seen. It is an entire early empire Roman port city, fed by three different aquaducts. The "campground" is not paradise, but after the intensities and uncertainties of our recent travels, we are really enjoying the opportunity to stop at a scenic, historic, and safe place, and just do very, very little. And it's free.
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So here we are; it's a small sandy cove, formerly a Roman port, early empire (i.e., first century BCE); improved upon by the Byzantines; abandoned, probably under Persian pressure, 6th century |
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We think this says "Municipal park/beach, foreign wild-campers welcome" |
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Anyhow, we are here |
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Port ruins, overlaid by Byzantine governor's palace (all this was excavated only in 1995-1999, by an Italian team) |
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Arc of the great colonade, south side of port; there are marble columns lying all around; the structure continues on into the sand dunes... |
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One of many spare parts piles |
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Suna, a Swiss/Turkish businesswoman camping by us the last few days, sporting the 2 meter long snakeskin she found in the ruins across the highway (next post); she's fluent in German, Turkish, English, French, and Italian; and fixed us a really delicious Ottoman dinner this evening |
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Vicki skyping with sister Marie; note innovative use of head as antenna tower |
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