Blogs from Dalaman, Mediterranean, Turkey, Middle East - page 2

Monday 27th May: the plan for the day was to drive to the Datca Peninsula south of the major tourist resort of Marmaris as it’s reported as having some of Turkey’s most beautiful coastline. However, on checking the distances involved this would have required at least 2 ½ hours driving each way. And, having assimilated and adopted much of the very relaxed lifestyle of Dalyan, we decided instead to stay here and have another stroll to the Lycian/Roman ruins at Kaunos just across the river. We even had the same boatwoman, Mina, who had ferried us across previously and despite our warm greetings she failed to recognise her former customers: another blow to the self esteem. Halfway to the ruins, after no more than 400 yards, we decided to pause and sample the freshly pressed pomegranate ... read more

Yesterday, as we joined Joanne, Tom and 3 of their friends on a boat, travelled down the Dalyan river through the reeds, past the fish gate, watched a tour operator feed a giant Caretta-Caretta (Loggerhead) turtle blue swimmer crabs and then went over the bar and out to sea, I thought I should share with you some of our experiences in living in a village in Turkey. We went along the length of Turtle Beach (protected as the last beach used by Carettas for laying their eggs), grounded on a small sandy beach in a sheltered bay, swam, drank, ate our bbq fish and swam again before coming home. On the way back, we passed a large 3 masted sailing boat on a Mediterranean cruise and 4 large boats that had made the 3 hour journey ... read more

After a couple of quiet 'blog' years we're back with a 2011 European trip to Turkey, Greece, Italy and London. First off is a month in Turkey 'cos we liked it so much last time. But this time we aren't doing long distance driving to get around the country but instead are using Dalyan as our base. It is still pre-tourist season and we are enjoyingy village life before we head on further. Dalyan lies between the sea and Lake Koycegiz on a loop of the river. Separating town and Turtle beach are lagoons and water canals where the rushes stand 5 metres high. You wind your way through them on little flat bottom boats to get down to the beach. The other end of the beach is where the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) turtles lay their ... read more