Kas

Kas (in Turkish there is a squiggle under the s which makes the pronounciation "kash") is a fashionable harbor town on the Mediterranean.  And it's really hot, so we spend most of our time next to or in the sea.   The town is surrounded by mountains with scattered ruins and a harbor with various types of boats docked and paragliders sailing overhead.  The hostel is family run with a panoramic view on the rooftop terrace.  

Kas seems to be a local Turkish destination with the occasional European traveler.  It is so nice to see so many local travelers.  We can blend in completely if we keep our mouths closed. There's an old city center that's alive into the night with restaurants and cafes, little boutiques, and sidewalk stalls selling antiques and jewelry.  We took some halva (helva in Turkish) and drinks to an open square by the harbor one night, and other days we grabbed a chicken or lamb pide. The square turned out to be a fun people-watching location as families and children had gathered to play.  We were run over by speedy tricycles and scooters.  One kid even had a velocipede.  We had such a relaxing time in Kas.  

We are headed to Selcuk (pronounced Selchuk), which is near Ephesus.  

As a side note traveling in Turkey has been super easy.  Also it is one of the safest feeling places we have been.  Turkey transport has been awesome - really easy and straightforward and cheaper than Swaziland, when we'd travel crammed between people and bags of maize meal.  (It is odd because - we were told - Turkey's petrol is the most expensive in the world at 1.8 Euro/L which is about 8.7 USD/gallon).  We are in a super nice and roomy bus with individual tv screens for free movies (though Turkish), music, and wifi, reclining chairs, a/c with individual fans, and bus stewards who bring free drinks and snacks.  That is right, wifi.  Traveling in Turkey must be more pleasant than traveling even in the US.  The route we are currently taking is spectacular, winding along the coast  between the turquoise Mediterranean and mountains.  We've passed hidden coves and isolated beaches along the way.  This six hour bus ride is actually exciting!