We paid 20 € (about ytl 35) for a tour of Side (rhymes with bidet), Kursunlu Selale (a waterfall) and Aspendos.  All we were really interested in was Aspendos, but the guide spoke English, the bus was air conditioned, it included all admissions and lunch...so we booked the tour.

We went to the waterfall (Kursunlu Selale) first...they walked us down the trail to the waterfall, pointed and said "you have 20 minutes for picture."  Many of the guests on the trip were German or Russian (and at least spoke German).  When the guide told us something we couldn't understand in English, they asked for it in German...his response was, "I speak only English, not my problem!"  I would debate that he really didn't speak English!!

After our 20 minutes there, we left and rode the bus for 30-45 minutes and ended up at a Jewelry factory.  We actually had a hostess who spoke English, but basically just gave us a sales pitch.  We were then allowed to tour the shops were everything was priced in Euros or Swiss Francs, and they had to calculate the prices based on the weight and amount of jewels...we spent at least an hour there.

Ok...so next we went to lunch.  It was a large buffet (not very good), but the cost was included (except beverages, of course!) 2€ for soda, 1€ for water.  This wasn't the first time we've experienced this, so it must just be a Turkish thing.

Anyway...after lunch, we are all waiting outside for the bus, and we are ushered into the leather factory next door.  There, we watched the "Fashion Show," which was pretty funny!  Then it was on to the showroom.  Coats (even the really ugly ones) were in the ballpark of 500€ and if we didn't have cash with us, they would even deliver them to us at our hotels later!!  How nice!!

After about an hour we left for the 45minute ride to Aspendos, but after about 45 minutes the guide told us we had to go to Aspendos later, because it was full.  We instead went to Side.  Side was pretty cool.  The temples were for Apollo and Athena.  We also saw Apollo's butt (pretty sure the guide meant bath!)

About that time, Suzan (and several other of our guides "Angel Customers") realized that it was already 5:30, and began asking if we were going to make it to Aspendos.  It turned out that the answer was NO!!  Our guides did buy us popcorn, and paid for us to see the ampitheater as Side (an addition ytl 5), and bought us popcorn for the ride home.

Amazingly enough, the ride home didn't take nearly as long as the ride there, since the guides were not stopping in front of the hotels, but dropping people on the side of the road.  Very nice of them!

Anyway...it was well after 8:00 when we returned home safe and sound.

Here's the Pics!!