9th October

Had an extremely good sleep after a mentally and physically demanding previous day and up around 8 with the bus load of 20 who arrived late in the evening.

Interesting culinary start for breakfast with fries being served – perhaps they think we are Yanks.

Then it was  into tne car for a 30 km trip at breakneck speed , almost going in circles to find the starting point about 5 Kms as the crow flies.l from where we started. After driving that fast, whilst adjusting the radio and reading text messages it was worrying when he got out and checked condition of front tyre.

Town mosque where we started had twin spires and was unusually big for such a small village, boy was it opulent.

As usual it was an uphill start but on a very smooth road and the weather had smiled on us at 25 and a light breeze. Looked like yesterdays storm had dumped a fair bit of rain as it was quite muddy underfoot.

Some sort of critter had been walking in mud and later on trail, but not sure if it was wild boar or wolf. Every time my stomach rumbled I imagined it was one of the beasts lurking in the trees and it soon had me picking up the speed.

Got to a branch in the trail where we came across our Turkish mate who walks to the beat of loud music. He like us was deciding  whether to go up and visit the hillside ruin or take the flatter rocky way forward. Mutual decision was to take the low road.

Started to see more walkers going in both directions, including our two Turkish hares.

On the flatter section there was a little bit of farming, particularly bee keeping.

Followed hares for a while but they tracked left at a junction and we went the other way after referencing the map. Proved a good decision because while having lunch later in the day they wandered in saying wrong turn cost them an hour.

Stopped for a break and saton a throne like rocks  ( Charles and Camilla style) before meeting some French walkers and having a chat.

Took off again with breeze kicking up and darkening clouds- almost immediately ran into a couple who looked dispirited and said they hoped not to get drenched like yesterday – we missed all rain yesterday.

The track was getting muddier and with boots getting caked in it progress it slowed as we moved through the trickier parts.

Came across a huge cairn and as tradition has it Jane placed a rock

on top.  I followed suit only for mine to cause a domino effect and many toppled to the ground – skulked off rather quickly.

Gunshots wer ringing out across the valley most of the morning with boar the likely quarry. That said some pigeon /pleasant like birds took flight along the trail at one stage.

Ran into an exhausted Turkish lad who was  calling it a day – apparently his uncle had died. Cynical Jane uttered ‘and dog ate his homework as well’. 

Came across a couple of farm buildings built up above the local ruins, with the only occupant a sad little donkey.

This signalled the start of the ruins and you had to tread carefully as there were several unmarked snd open wells about 25 feet deep.

The ruins were widely spread and people had actually climbed up from the beach to have a look. One girl had three thongs, two on her feet and one masquerading as her swimmers. 

Made our way down to the beach with hopes of snorkeling around the sunken ruins. What a disappointment the water was murky with sediment and you could not see a thing. 

We moved onto the lunch spot,  a restaurant on much better waters. It was a mini Gallipoli with Turkish Australian and New Zealand flags on the wall.

Had a nice lunch, including chips, probably get the Trifecta at dinner.

After looking at guidebook we promptly made the decision to abandon the rock hopping of the last 7 Kms and take a spectacular speedboat road across the bay, passing everything from runabouts to 70 foot motor launches. Chef from restaurant doubled as skipper and did not disappoint, driving boat like a car- flat out. 

The township is a port for all of the boats  which look after day trippers who take one of the myriad of boat trips to surrounding islands and points of interest, like the primary sunken city.

All boats and restaurants were charging tourist  prices but it didn’t matter they were full to the brim.

Found our B and B which is home for the next 3 days. In an historical town where construction is prohibited ours could best be described as quaint. Though again the owner is amazingly helpful. More importantly our bags were in the room.

Next few days walking are in rugged and remote areas with the owner  dropping us off and picking us up each day. 

Guidebook describes them as difficult walks in mountainous terrain- sounds like after day one might consider fitting in a day trip to the islands.

Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around town which goes from a metropolis at 10am to a sleepy hamlet at 5pm when all of the tourists board buses and boats and return to their towns elsewhere.

Shared fish dinner for two and that was stumps for the day.