The 147-kilometer MedTrek from Antalya to Alanya in southern Turkey is a colorful walk in the sand compared to the rigors of the mountainous Lycian Way that preceded it.

Once beyond Antalya’s cliffs and dramatic waterfall, the only problems for a long-distance MedTrekker are a few rivers, including the majestic Manavgat, that require creativity — a bathing suit, some kids willing to “borrow” a rowboat, a fisherman/ferryman needing a few lira and a lifeguard with a Jet-ski — to ford or cross.

The only blight on the generally flat walk are the scores of upmarket resorts packed with German and Russian tourists that strictly attempt to discourage MedTrekkers from trespassing on “private” property. The Idiot’s most trying encounter was with security guards at the Muslim-friendly Adenya Hotel when he inadvertently walked into the “Women Only” beach.

The Idiot truly didn’t realize that there was a “Women Only” beach on the other side of this barrier.

Here are some other Idiot-ic snapshots of the four-day MedTrek from Antalya to Alanya (You can see where it’s located @
http://fms.ws/HA5Fy/36.55716N/31.96504E).

The Idiot got some advice about the next stage of the MedTrek from Alexander the Great at the Antalya Museum.

Umbrellas are the shade rage in Antalya.

Farewell Antalya.

Recycled beach art.

Therapeutic Swim.

Nautical hotels are, unfortunately, not few and far between.

A typically garish Kremlinesque hotel for Russian tourists.

Germans prefer this well-rounded hotel.

The Temple of Apollo in Side lights up the town.

The best-named restaurant in Side is an obvious reference to Homer and the false name that Odysseus gave to the Cyclops.

A typical beach between Antalya and Alanya.

Entering Alanya on the Cleopatra Beach.

Alanya at dusk.

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."