Before noon: Trek to the Black Goat and Azure Sea swim

 

2013-09-18

Merhba ( Hello) :

Last evening the synchronized swimming session in the azure waters of the Aegean sea was a lot of fun for the whole group.

Synchronized Swimming

 

Aegean Sea

 

Morning brought in the trek up the rough goat trails. The climb was challenging but thanks to the hiking group back home and to Judith ( for letting me borrow her walking stick), I was able to enjoy it. The views of the bay below and the shaded pine trees made the hike fun. 

Fearless Hikers

Goats

Our destination was the Yurok family’s home up in the mountains.  These are nomads who make their living herding goats, hunting and living off the land.  The dried Sage tea was delicious and the views amazing.  It was interesting to see these people  living the life style they lived for thousands of years. ( with a slight modification :  they do have Solar generators and they do bring their goods to the market for selling).

Hunted Quails



Nomads



Roman Ruins and Nomad Living

Solar

 

The trail, we found challenging, but these people do it routinely carrying their herd and bringing back their goods. The views of the azure water on the way back were breath taking.

Views of Azure Water from trail

After hike dip in the refreshing water was just what our bodies and minds needed and as soon as we came out, lunch was waiting , delicious vegetarian lunch with yogurt, beans, spinach and bulgur ( they are teaching  healthy eating ) . 

After all this fun a brief history and Geography lecture was in order.  Our guide, Behlul is not only knowledgeable but also very passionate and proud of the history of Turk people and Turkey.  Turkey has been a cradle of civilization since prehistoric times.  Dwellings, paintings and artifacts from over 12 thousand years are found here and  so are the most of the biblical places and churches. Nomad Turks have been living in the area since antiquity.  In recent history, Hittites and then Persians, Greeks, Romans and finally Ottomans took turns in ruling this vast land.  Ataturk ( father of the nation) is credited for shaping what Turkey is today: A secular republic of Turkey.

Swing

The full moon is awesome but I think the crew is waiting for me to go in my cabin so they can also sleep.  I wish I can sit up here all night but I will go down now,….good night..

My question for the day is: Before Muslim religion, what were the Turks like? What culture and religion did they follow? …we will find out soon…