Click to view larger image The Turkish flag The modern Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal (later Ataturk) from a portion of the Ottoman Empire, following the empire's collapse as a result of World War I (1914-1918). Turkey became a secular state in 1928, and a multiparty political system was established in 1950.	Click to view larger image Where we stayed - the Antalya region of Turkey. On the Mediterranean coast Tourists are attracted to Antalya's beaches and nearby ancient Greek ruins. The Antalya region has been occupied since prehistoric times. Attalus II of Pergamum founded the city in the 2nd century BC and named it Attaleia after himself. It later became a Roman city and was visited by the Emperor Hadrian in AD 130.	Click to view larger image Map of Turkey Antalya became part of the Byzantine Empire (330-1453), but was taken by the Seljuks in 1207. The city was a principal southern terminus on the Anatolian caravan trade route during the first half of the 13th century. Antalya was taken by the Ottoman Empire in 1391. Following World War I (1914-1918) the victorious Allies partitioned the Ottoman Empire and gave Antalya to Italy. A Turkish army under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk liberated the city by 1921, ending foreign holdings in Anatolia.
Click to view larger image The view of Turkey from the airplane	Click to view larger image One of dozens of mosques we saw. Islam ceased to be the official state religion of Turkey in 1928. Nevertheless, 99 percent of the population is Muslim-about four-fifths of whom are Sunnites, and the remainder mostly Shiites.	Click to view larger image Arycanda Deluxe Hotel. 5 stars. View of the backside of the hotel where we stayed.
Click to view larger image View of the backside of the hotel from the 4th floor.	Click to view larger image	Click to view larger image
Click to view larger image The food was great and "all inclusive". As much as you wanted to eat or drink - just about anytime.	Click to view larger image Not only was the food great, but the presentation was very impressive.	Click to view larger image One side of the salad bar.
Click to view larger image	Click to view larger image	Click to view larger image Ira and a gigantic bowl of chocolate pudding.
Click to view larger image Ira smoking a hookah/hubble-bubble/narghile.	Click to view larger image One of the chefs flambeing a tasty dish.	Click to view larger image
Click to view larger image	Click to view larger image Ira with lots and lots of olives.	Click to view larger image
Click to view larger image The hotel beach.	Click to view larger image Me on the beach.	Click to view larger image Me at the harbor in Alanya.
Click to view larger image Alanya	Click to view larger image Mosques usually have one or more minarets, or towers, from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer five times a day. In addition to their functional use, these minarets have become distinguishing elements of mosque architecture.	Click to view larger image The city of Myra in Turkey is one of the chief sites of ancient Turkish ruins and rock tombs. This Lycian mountainside in Myra shows the tombs carved into its solid rock face.
Click to view larger image Me at Myra	Click to view larger image	Click to view larger image
Click to view larger image Amphitheater at Myra	Click to view larger image Amphitheater at Myra	Click to view larger image Amphitheater at Myra
Click to view larger image Amphitheater at Myra	Click to view larger image Amphitheater at Myra	Click to view larger image The Church of St. Nicholas at Myra
Click to view larger image The Church of St. Nicholas at Myra	Click to view larger image The Church of St. Nicholas at Myra	Click to view larger image The Church of St. Nicholas at Myra
Click to view larger image Ira emerging from a tunnel in the Church of St. Nicholas	Click to view larger image Ira and one of our tour guides	Click to view larger image Ira and a bartender at Aqua Land
Click to view larger image Yacht trip on the Mediterranean	Click to view larger image Yacht trip on the Mediterranean	Click to view larger image Ruins of an ancient church.
Click to view larger image Mediterranean Harbor of Kale (Simena) The ancient city of Simena (now called Kale) dates to the 4th century BC.	Click to view larger image The Simena castle overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Used during the Middle Ages, the castle contains a small seven-row theater build into the hillside rock.	Click to view larger image The captain of our yacht grilling blue crab.
Click to view larger image An ancient cave	Click to view larger image One of the rides at Aqua Land in Antalya	Click to view larger image Me in front of the Turkish flag