August 3 Alanya Turkey

 We've been here before, but don't remember it. We'll have to check the pictures from long ago to see what we did when we were here, probably 15 years ago.

Alanya is beautiful, and I don't understand why we don't remember it. We docked just below the fortified old town. Here's a panorama of the hillside above us. The description says there are 6.5km of wall surrounding the town.

Here's the detail of the eastern wall from the harbor to the Ehmedek Castle at the top of the hill.

We walked from the pier to the beach promenade through the flat part of Alanya. A statue of Attaturk in front of the Red Tower, built in 1226. Attaturk came much later.

Along the beach there were dozens of tour boats lined up, all offering boat tours of the harbor. Or at least that's what I thought. 

 Their decor was garish, with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme.

 

Even though kinder and gentler with teddy bears, they are all dressed as pirates.

Continuing into the town, looking back at the hilltop castle.

 Lots of cats roaming the village. Or they would be roaming if not sound asleep. This guy has found a sheltered spot.

Kuyularonu Cami

Although unsuitable for Superman to change from Clark Kent, here's a still functioning (I think) phone booth. Looks more like a helmet, or the Get Smart Cone of Silence.

Children's park. 

One of the lights defining the harbor entrance.

Alanya has two big beaches. This is the eastern one, Anjelic Beach.

A Disney-like waterfall along the promenade.

On the eastern mountains.

Another view of the lighthouse and beach.

I believe these caves were used by the Venetians for boat building.

 Either Nautica is under attack from pirate ships, or will be an innocent bystander in the conflict that's about to ensue. 

 No -- it turns out that these tour boats are actually swimming boats. You ride the boat into a protected part of the harbor and go swimming. That explains the big pile of life preservers on the back of the boats -- those who want to get wet but don't trust their swimming ability can float about. You can see a guy in blue trunks midway between the ladder and water. Lots of guys were jumping in from 10-20 feet above the water.

Kind of a reverse swimming pool