Ekincik Bay is a great place to anchor out while visiting Dalyan. This area was first settled long before Christ decided to come to earth. Caunos was settled by the Lycians and thrived for centuries. But like so many ancient ports, it eventually silted up by the river that still runs through the ancient harbor and time moved on along with the population. There is still an outline of a city done in ancient stone block with public baths, temples and ancient streets that only hearken to the glory that was once part of this area. It kind of reminds me of when someone is murdered and they outline around the body of what was once a a live person. The stones outline where once was a live vibrant city filled with people and commerce.
We took a water taxi further up the river to the town of Dalyan, which is the modern day replacement. Doesn’t have quite the charm, but there are plenty of restaurants and tourist shops. Right across the river are the tombs of long forgotten kings whose last resting spots were carved out of the solid rock cliffs. These imposing structures look like grand buildings with towering columns that only lead to burial chambers long since looted by enterprising not so royal subjects. They are quite imposing and hey if you are going to die, you might as well go out in style.
Right around the bend of the river are mud baths fed by hot sulfur springs. And yes you are promised, if you soak in them long enough you loose 20 years. But they never say how long it takes for that to actually happen. I think we stayed long enough to only knock off a few hours of aging. It was still fun rolling in the mud like a couple of happy pigs and letting the mud cake and crack all over our skin.
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