The Climb to Simena Castle

Today is the Simena excursion, we sailed past the haunting remains of the sunken city of Kekova, a ghost of a world long drowned. The sunlight fractured across the waters, revealing glimpses of ancient stone walls, stairs that lead nowhere but into the abyss, and the foundations of lives once lived with purpose. We leaned over the boat's edge, cameras clicking, but our thoughts wandered back in time, imagining the Lycian people who once called this place home, their daily rhythms now buried under centuries of sea.

Our glimpse into history was more than just a passing sight; it was an encounter with the relentless march of time. The island of Kekova, or Caravola as it was once called, offers a window into a civilization lost to the earth's upheavals. As we drifted over the submerged ruins, I felt the weight of those sunken stones, remnants of the Lycian city of Dolichiste, which had succumbed to the wrath of an earthquake in the 2nd century AD. The city had crumbled, and in its fall, the sea had claimed its spoils, leaving behind this eerie, underwater tableau.

Protected now by the laws of preservation, swimming among these relics is forbidden. But from the surface, the ruins are still visible, ghostly outlines beneath the turquoise waves, shadowed by the rugged coastline. It was a scene both beautiful and melancholic, a reminder of the impermanence of human endeavor. 

Luxury, however, is a relative term. After passing the remnants of Kekova, our boat came to rest beside a grand yacht named Horizon, gleaming and immaculate, a floating palace on these ancient waters. We glanced at it with a hint of envy, yet our own luxuries were simpler, more immediate. We spread out a feast for breakfast, indulging in the abundance of the moment. As the day wore on, we lounged on our modest craft, Larin Su, savoring a leisurely lunch, the quiet lapping of the sea against the hull our only concern.

At 2:33 pm, we docked near Simena, our destination for the afternoon. Climbing up the steep path towards Simena Castle, we passed through a gauntlet of cafes and stalls, the air thick with the scent of ice cream and the calls of merchants hawking their wares.

The castle itself, Simena Castle, perched high above the sea, offered a commanding view of the turquoise expanse below. This fortress, a relic of Lycian pride and Roman conquest, bore the scars of history—thick medieval walls, towers for watching the horizon, and the ruins of buildings long past their prime.

The hill's other side held a necropolis, its sarcophagi reminiscent of those we'd seen at Xanthos, silent witnesses to the lives they once contained. After soaking in the view, we descended again, the buzz of the market greeting us. Some indulged in ice cream, others haggled over souvenirs, shaving off the odd lira for a bit of cloth to remember the day by.

As the sun dipped lower, we boarded our dinghy and returned to the Larin Su. Our final leg took us past the ancient city of Theimussa, its sarcophagi standing like sentinels along the shore, elevated above the rising sea. We made one last pass by the sunken city of Kekova for those who missed it earlier in the day. The stones beneath the water shimmered with the fading light, a final farewell from the world beneath the waves, before we turned our bow toward the horizon and to the place we will call home for the night.

Once we docked, the atmosphere turned Olympic as Gilles showcased his water skiing skills, impressing us with his mastery over the waves. Shiqin followed suit, trying her hand at wakeboarding. After a few attempts, she successfully managed to stand up and even completed a few spins. Meanwhile, our boat captain, Emre, went spearfishing and caught a lion-fish, which added sashimi to our dinner. The day ended with lots of chatters and laughters, the way a perfect day ought to end.