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Published: March 5th 2015
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Woolly says – Oh dear, and a very large OH DEAR at that, in a country that is supposed to have 330 days of sunshine I want to know where all this rain has come from! Life seems to have settled into a routine over the last month, watching the rain pouring down and keeping warm being my main occupations and annoying Jo when I get really bored! This is Turkey why is there so much of that wet stuff leaking from the skies? Why is it so cold? We moved here for the warmth and being tucked up in blankets reminds me far more of life in the UK than anything else. On the odd sunny day Jo has taken me to the beach or round the harbour to stretch my paws and catch each possible ray, these days unfortunately its more clouds than rays. With the imminent arrival of my Nanty Carys and Nuncle Les I decided to take on the role of tour guide and set about planning some mini adventures for them to enjoy. It has been a very lazy time indeed and the thought of a few outings spurred my small companion into action.
Woolly says – Why are maps soooooo difficult to fold? Even stamping on them with my paws never seems to make them flat again, but having studied them intently, considered a variety of options and destinations I came up with a plan….. have a snack! With the arrival date fast approaching I abandoned the unwieldy and huge pieces of paper and decided that I would take them to some of my favourite places whether they liked them or not. My only concern with the mammoths plan to visit some of his most loved Turkish hot spots was that they would include every pistachio shop in the region! Woolly says – As if…… although it’s not a bad idea! With the relatives safely arrived, chocolate buttons and a new outfit for me acquired I started them off gently with a wander round the beautiful Alanya harbour, this seemed to go down well and having led them to a car hire shop to book a vehicle for us I was looking forward to a day at Sapadere Canyon (you read our our previous blog A Grand Canyon ).
Having wound our way into the mountains I was delighted to find that we had the canyon to ourselves and as I trotted along the wooden walkway I encouraged my tour party to test the water, strangely no one wanted to take up this challenge claiming it was too cold, not to be disheartened I glowed with pride as they too fell in love with this most beautiful of places. Feeling spots of rain on my fur it was time for my next stop and a new cave for me into the bargain.
We had actually parked close to this cave for a picnic a few years earlier but for some strange reason hadn’t gone to investigate. Woolly says – Well it’s time to rectify that! And a picnic is always good for me, where’s my picnic? Have we got egg may sandwiches, I like them! Known as Cüceler Mağarası or ‘dwarf cave’ the local people have apparently used this cave to avoid paying taxes. Just after the Republic of Turkey came into existence, there had been a tax on livestock, the more sheep, cattle, etc you owned, the greater the amount tax owed, the villagers decided to hide their livestock in the cave. What a good idea, maybe I could hide in there when Jo starts to annoy me!
I only wish he would! Woolly says - The cave's name, Cüceler (dwarfs) actually has a completely different origin. The village is supposed to have been home at some point to two brothers. One of them was a dwarf and was constantly being mocked by his brother, who was of average height. One day the small brother had had enough, he took some food and left the village and hid in the cave. Everyone starting looking for him, but no one could find him, until a local farmer came across him one day snug inside. The farmer promised the small brother that he wouldn't say anything, providing he returned home to the village. The small man did this, but fighting broke out again between the brothers not long afterwards, and the small man left once more. This happened a couple of times, until the farmer decided to reveal where the dwarf was hiding. The cave has been known as the ‘dwarf cave’ ever since. I wonder if Snow White might be hiding in there? As the smallest member of our party raced into the cave entrance on his quest I could hear his untuneful voice….. Woolly says – Hi ho, hi ho it’s off to hide I go….. Inside proved to be well lit and having made my way down the steps I peered up to the ceilings above me to see lots of Oods…. Sorry I mean stalactites, suspended from the roof, rather impressive and with good lighting to set it all off, I set Jo to work with the camera as I investigated further. It didn’t take long and even with my short legs I had covered all six areas within minutes, not a dwarf in site and not a sign of Snow White but some nice formations none the less. As everyone appeared to have seen everything I pointed my tour group in the direction of the car and the possibility of a snack and to finish the tour itinerary for the morning, a tour guide’s work is never done …. Hi ho, hi ho it’s off to eat I go!
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taracloud
Tara Cloud
Gorgeous!
Very impressive--canyon, waterfalls, caves and swimming holes. What a great adventure! Hope it stops raining soon.