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Published: August 31st 2013
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Having achieved a few things in the last few days, notably a PO Box (mail seems to be rare in Turkey, utility bills are put in a communal area and junk mail doesn’t seem to be a factor), this is for security as most buildings seem to have broken mail boxes or none at all so for the princely sum of 12.50 Lira (approximately £4.20 GBP) a year we can encourage everyone to not only email us but go snail mail as well.
Woolly says – I don’t want anyone posting me snails!!! I enjoyed our visit to the Notary office to sign the paperwork for clearing our belongings at customs. It was chaos, everyone was chattering away in Turkish and not seeing any form of queue we waited for a while before just heading to a counter, Jo handed over the paperwork and passports and I think the lady told us to wait. All life seems to pass through these offices with old, young, couples and businessmen all waiting for the stamping to begin. The Turks seem to love their stamps and every paper receives lots of them. After a short while a young Scottish lady came
and introduced herself and read over our paperwork before translating it. It was very boring until it was our turn to have lots and lots of stamps put on it before signing it and having lots more!!
If we had known this would entertain Woolly so much we would have taken him sooner! Feeling satisfied with our progress but with everything still being at the docks and no news on our apartment we thought it was time to turn our attention to poor neglected Ollie who has been kicking his heels under his tree.
Woolly says – Ian planned a surprise and other than knowing it would involve a picnic Jo and I had no idea where we were off to. Ollie was delighted to be roaring off down the coast road, thrusting his way through the Turkish drivers, he was having a ball. Through the smaller towns of Oba and Mamulter we sped before turning onto the mountain road. Kicking up a dust storm behind us Ollie was off, round the twists and turns, in and out of the ruts he thundered. As the kilometres went by we climbed further and further into
the mountains, the views were magnificent and each corner brought another wow from us. We caught up with the Safari Jeeps who take the tourists into the mountains and waved as Ollie sped past. Only 30 kilometres and it was like another world as we pulled onto the car park of Sapadere Canyon.
A natural canyon with waterfalls and natural swimming pools, it is a mecca for tourists and locals alike. Paying our 5 Lira each (approximately £1.70 GBP) we strolled up to the wooden walkways that take you through the canyon itself.
Woolly says – it was remarkable, with the streams following on our left and the mountain views in front of us it was difficult to know where to look first. We came to the first of the bathing pools where brave people were attempting to swim in the icy waters. As we walked on we discovered waterfalls not just in the streams but high up above us coming out of the mountain. With so many folks around the wooden pathway felt none too steady and definitely could have benefitted from a few more nails to hold the planks down. As we
went deeper into the ravine the pools became larger and the waterfalls bigger and bigger, Jo snapped away in every direction while Ian spent ages trying to avoid individuals watching him take pictures of a large crab, you would have thought he was more interesting than the surroundings!
All too soon we came to an abrupt end with a beautiful waterfall. There was no further path and with so many groups vying for space to take a picture in front of the last waterfall we retreated and made our way back. We had intended to have a dip in one of the pools but it was nigh on impossible to get to one so reluctantly we headed back to Ollie for our picnic and a swim in the huge pool at the foot of the canyon.
Woolly says – I do like a good picnic and with our very English sandwiches and healthy fruit we sat and watched the families attempting to go for a swim, strange the water looked wonderful, even I was tempted to have a dip. Picnic finished Ian was the first into the pool and ten seconds later was back
on dry land with his teeth chattering, Jo poked her toe in and shrieked as the cold hit her. At least Ian got in up to his neck….Jo managed a toe! What a WIMP!! It might look wonderful but it was freezing so we sat on the bank and watched a few intrepid people take the plunge; one man lasted for nearly a minute before racing for the side.
Once over our icy shock we set Ollie off again and started the swinging drive back down the mountain. Views that we hadn’t noticed before came thick and fast, we took a turning which led us upwards again and parked up to take pictures of the glorious splendour around us, awesome.
Woolly says – They were outstanding and having drank our fill we set off again heading downhill all the way. Ollie was in his element as Jo and I clung on and all too soon we were back to the sea and minutes from home, what a lovely day and with a promise of egg and chips for tea and football to watch what could be better.
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Louisa
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beautiful Turkey
This is so lovely! How do you find life in Turkey compared to England? (you are British, right?) Didn't know people still goes on picnics! :)