Our last day! and we finally made it to a museum - finally not just in terms of our overall trip itinerary, but because we had a slight problem with the bus en route, requiring us to decamp into taxis for the final part. On the bright side, at least it happened in Antalya (map), not, oh..., Arycanda, or one of the other remote sites we have visited. I am, though, still a tad befuddled at the route the driver took to reach the museum; we fixed the price in advance, so there was no financial advantage, but I know my way round Antalya well enough to be pretty sure I could have walked more quickly...
Traditional dress
Once there, though, the museum boasts a very fine collection of sculpture, especially from Perge.
Emperor Priest, Perge (2nd AD)The sarcophagus collection was also very extensive. My favourite was perhaps the so-called 'Heracles Sarcophagus', with each section illustrating one of his many labours.
'The Heracles Sarcophagus'
Afterwards, we started the long drive back to Marmaris, stopping en route at Termessus (map), a site so remote even Alexander could not/decided not to storm it.
One way of discouraging visitors
Despite the location, the remains were very extensive. My favourite was perhaps the bouleuterium/odeum, with its striking pilasters shewing up nicely in the late morning sun.
The bouleuterium/odeum
Not all the buildings were quite so easy to identify...
really?
Without, alas, solving this puzzle, we returned down the hill that Alexander never climbed, and set off for Marmaris. Or the others did. I decided not to share in the five hour return, but hopped off on the main road, and caught the next dolmuş back to Antalya before flying out from there. Much more civilised. I even had time for a relaxed lunch at the Otogar. Do not laugh: it was the best güveç I had all trip, and the bread was piping hot. Simply delicious! In fact, it was probably the best meal of the trip as a whole.
Güveç and bread
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