19th December – Alanya, Turkey

So we sailed in a calm sea and slept soundly from Limasole to Alanya. There is something magical about going to bed in Cyprus and waking up in Turkey. And best of all we don’t have to move our bags or pack and unpack again as on a coach trip.

We went for a walk along the harbour which had a variety of boat rides on offer from small traditional boats, fishing trips to large 3 masted pirate frigates. There was also a craft market under marques with ladies making jewellery and knitting while tending their sales table. One lady had lovely shawls with needle felted designs on the front panel. Most of the knitted items were toddler cardigans/sweaters and soft toys.

We hopped on the city tour bus and rode through mainly the shopping areas but it took us around to the other side of the promontory to a cable car that carried us up closer to the citadel sitting atop the headland. We had lovey views over the harbour and the town on one side and the long beach the other side of the headland.

We wandered back to the pier through some of the tourist areas. As it is low season many of the smaller shops are closed, which means fewer people trying to sell as souvenirs thankfully.