European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 26, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travellers tips for a amps Suzan re Swan v of. We it arc a a is much of the a Lifke Castle is in ruins but splendid stonework remains above go karts transport everything from mattresses to stoves to just about anything left. The Castle of mar Mure Kaki at an amur below was built in 1240 by Emir of Karahan. A a. A a a i amp i it for a amps Suzann 8wan for a amps Suzann Swan Plain water would cure most ills. Returning to the main Road continue East to a Lifke. In the summer the hot wind Sears the desert Sands. The town clings to life with the same tenacity As the Small Trees that clutch the shifting soil for survival. A Lifke with its population of around 42,000, is divided by the River Goksu in ancient times known As the Cal Yadnus. Now this sluggish stagnant Green Serpent provides water Only for irrigation but the River is crossed by an interesting roman Bridge. Emperor Frederick i Barbarossa drowned in the River at a Lifke in 1190 while leading his troops on the third crusade. Presumably the water was somewhat More swiftly flowing in those Days. In byzantine times water was Sill a prime concern. The byzantines built a spectacular 100,000-ton-capacity water Reservoir to Supply their settlements. You can enter this by a Steep Stone staircase but beware of the garbage that has Long since replaced the water. A Lifke was founded in 290 by by Seleucus i Nicator one of Alexander the great s generals and also the founder of the seleucid dynasty. High above a Lifke a colossal fortress dates from medieval times. Built with double Walls and 32 towers this was known As the ancient City of Camar Derium and was conquered in 1471 by grand vizier Gidik Ahmet Pasa and subsequently annexed to the ottomans. Todas Mui h of the Castle is in rums although the Temple of Jupiter dating from the second or third Century remains relatively intact. The View is Superb and the sense of a Bellicose past haunts the fortress that remains As it has for hundreds of years the implacable and indomitable guardian of All it surveys. The Only sound that penetrates its Walls is the staccato Rifle fire of the nearby police at target practice. Although Many such castles had Amphitheatres such frivolities won t be found in these parts. The time spent fighting and defending oneself left no time for entertainment. About three Miles farther along the coast from a Lifke is yet another Castle. Kiz Kalesi or Maiden s Castle is built on an Island just off the Shore. Commanding no views save the sea it is the subject of Many legends concerning the incarceration of a Beautiful girl by her overprotective father pending the timely arrival of Quot or.  come Down from the Castle and re enter the world of the turkish Beach vacation with its touristy trappings resembling Coney Island on a steamy saturday. The smell of fast food is Only slightly More overpowering than the suntan lotion lathered on thousands of Sun seeking bodies Don t he surprised if you soon find yourself getting out or town and Back to the wild oust. S Jjo i irs a s a t be a .e/.oc-f5  a t to a getting there this coastal area is accessible by car bus or taxi. Trains to and from All major cities run Only from Mersin. Car rentals from major companies a Hertz Avis inter City air tour and others a is available Only in Antalya either at the Airport or from the City Center. If booking from a Central office be sure to double Check you reservation or ask the local tourist office to confirm it for / you. This will often avoid waiting for the car. Expect to pay prices in line with those in most Western countries. A accommodations when reserving hotels confirm prices. It is always in order to bargain. Many hotels serve breakfast be sure to ask. Following Are tourist information offices for several towns along the coast along with a sampling of hotel prices. Fonya tourist office Carsi Mah kale Barkasi Maddesi Telephone 323-11240 or 323-15430, fax 323-1 1235. Club Alatur dim Cay Merkii about three Miles from the City Center on a Beach Telephone 323-11224, fax 323-144 9 $70 and up for a double with breakfast. It is Best to write or fax for reservations the switchboard is a Nightmare. Aladdin Oteliu Ataturk Maddesi in City Center Telephone 323-11048, fax 323-23684 $50 for a double with breakfast. Kaptan Oteliu Skele Maddesi 70 Telephone 323-14900, fax 323-12000 $50 for double with breakfast. A very popular hotel in the City Center reservations recommended. Two streets Skele Maddesi and the quiet Kultur Maddesi both have Many modest pensions. There Are camping areas on both sides of the town where tin Bays offer clean swimming and few crowds. An amur tourist office Ataturk Bulgari 64 Telephone 757-4.1677. Hermes hotel Skele Civardi Merkii Telephone 75744045, fax 757-43995 double room for $25. Anshan hotel Tahsin Soylu Maddesi Telephone 757-43511, fax 757-41045 $30 for double with breakfast. An amur has dozens of pensions in the $15-$20 Range for bed and breakfast. Most pensions quote a Price for the room not per person. Tascu tourist office Ataturk Maddesi i Imruck Medani 18/a Telephone 7593-4234. Office open May to october Only. This is mainly a transit town for travellers going Between Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Three companies operate ferries year round. The round trip Price for a medium sized car and one passenger is $80. Be sure to Check regulations regarding transporting c ars before reserving a trip. There Are a few Small pensions with rooms in the $10-$12 Range plus the Olba Oteliu hotel Whit h charges $28 for a double with breakfast. The hotel s phone number is 7593-4222 or 7593-4244. A Lifke tourist office,.Ataturk Maddesi 2/1, Telephone 759-41151. Most tourists head East to the Seaside rather than staying in town but there Are a few hotels for those who want to stay. Among them Cadir Motel Ataturk Maddesi 18 Telephone 759-42499 $18. Fren Oteliu behind Zirat Barkasi 74 Telephone 759-41289 $1 5 for double room with breakfast. Akdeniz Menderes Maddesi 58 Telephone 759-41 289 $7 for double room with breakfast. A eating towns like Alanya teem with restaurants he Best value Are often the w waterfront fish restaurants and cheaper restaurants in the town c enters serving kebabs and carry out Pitta sandwiches. Turks also seem to have the magic touch with pizza. Ask for Kanchik pizza and you la get the works. The transit town of Tascu has a handful of modest restaurants in the main Square whore waiting passengers will have to be Content with atmosphere instead of taste cuisine. F or those headed Tor f heaven and f fell there o a pleasant cafe serving drinks and Light snacks. A museums two museums w Orth visiting arc the an amur museum at Ataturk Bulgari 24 in an amur open 8 . To 5 . Daily and the Sil ilke Fuzesi Antalya you Pascuc u Maddesi a Lifke which h is open 8 am to 5 it m tuesday through Sun Clas and c Loed on monday a Suanne Swan  26, /992 str Pes Magd ii 1 1