One of our earlier visits to Turkey took us to a breathtakingly beautiful village of Olu Deniz..... This means 'dead sea', it is a warm lagoon in the gulf of Belcekiz. It is backed by pine covered mountains that literally tumble into the turquoise sea.
This was once the haunt of Pirates.
Olu Deniz is said to be the finest beach in Turkey. I shall never forget my first view of it, from the mountainside road that we were hiking down, I was just blown away, one of the the most stunning views in Turkey.
.
.
We stayed in a mountainside hotel called The Montana Pine , it was set in a pine forest. It was a joy to wake each morning to the sound of songbirds twittering away to each other, and the fragrant aroma of the pine trees.
Our room in the Montana Pine with the Taurus Mountains in the background. The rooms were in individual chalet type lodges and beautifully furnished in an Alpine style.
Lunch at the hotel was always of a high standard which we enjoyed if we were having a lazy day around the pool.
Deliciou Dolmus.
 |
| Pide Turkish style Pizza. |
Just a short water taxi ride down the coast from Olu Denz is a most spectacular place called Butterfly Valley in a tiny village called Faralya.
It is a world Heritage Conservation Foundation and home to at least 80 species of butterfly, including the tiger butterfly.
This is a closely monitored conservation area, visitors are most welcome as long as they respect the 'do's and dont's'.
Particularly, being reasonably quiet so not to disturb the butterflies and the peace.
Rustic accommodation on the river.
There are some rustic chalets and huts to spend a night or two in, designed to fit in with the woodland.
Rather Spartan accommodation but very popular with hikers and backpackers.
It can be accessed from
'The Lycian Way' which is a well known 500km walk along the coastline. Olu Deniz is considered to be the best starting place.
It finishes in Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains end abruptly, forming a spectacular backdrop for the city. It is a lovely town and is often described as The
Turkish Riviera.
Antalya Old Town
Another day, another opportune moment, to tell you more about another one of our journey's through Turkey!
My sincere thanks to the outstandingly ingenious Denise for creating ABCW and also to the oracular Roger for his outstanding efforts in keeping us all in order!
That's it folks I'm all OUT OF O's, so I'm OFF!
.
Oh how wonderful! Your shots of Turkey are just incredible, and I would so love to go there. You have really whetted my appetite! :-) The huts on the river look really cool, but I am wondering about mosquitoes!
ReplyDeleteOh, and to answer your question about the cactus fruits in one of my recent posts, yes, most if not all cactus fruit are edible (the ones in my picture though are not ripe of course). Much of the desert vegetation is edible, in fact, such as the pads of the prickly pear cactus, and the flowers and stalks of the yucca. Here in Tucson the Tohono O'Odham Indians have always harvested the fruit from the top of the tall saguaro cactus and have made a fermented drink out of it that they use in their rain ceremony right before the monsoons of summer, here. I made prickly pear jelly and salsa out of that plant's fruit when I lived here before, and keep saying I am going to do it again. Thanks for asking!
I was shooting a film on the Turkish Riviera when an orthodox priest showed me a box that contained bones of St. Nicholas - who was born and raised there. That's where S. Claus started...
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a wonderful spot. The lagoon is spectacular. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteMy ABC WEDNESDAY
Sounds as tho you had a grand time
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
I Marie, thanks for stopping by and your comments, particularly about the cactus fruits. I didn't realise the Prickly pear was part of the Cactus family... doh.....
ReplyDeleteTurkey certainly is an incredible Country, our last visit was our twelfth and each trip quite a different experience!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hello Mr Berowne,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again.
I'm curious to know what an orthodox priest was doing with the bones of St Nicholas?
The Turkish Riviera is lovely, and of course stands on the Eastern Mediterranean but there ends the similarity. It's not at all European more Middle Eastern, particularly the bewitching call to prayer from the mosque's which seem to stand on every corner!
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Photo Cache:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments.
The lagoon is breathtakingly beautiful, a vision etched in my memory, forever.
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Roger. thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteWe really did have a good time holidaying in Turkey hence the reason for having twelve different holidays there, just totally besotted with place !
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
What a lovely lovely place. The chalet in the pine forest, the butterflies and those resting spots in the river - completely idyllic.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Entry, i've enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are great.
I so enjoy your journey entries from Turkey. What a fascinating place to visit. The food really calls to me, too. The pine forest sounds so peaceful! Have a wonderful day Di!
ReplyDeleteHi Tulika,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and your comments.
Staying up in the forest was an awesome experience and so peaceful.
Best of all was the walk down to the Lagoon and first sight of it was enchanting...Awesome indeed!
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I love the idea of those rustic huts. Kind of reminds me of my float cabin, but more like a tent. - Margy
ReplyDeleteHi Melody, good to hear from you again, I'm so pleased that you are enjoying my journey through Turkey,
ReplyDeletebest wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I Ellen, thanks for stopping by and your comments, glad you are enjoying our journey through Turkey.
ReplyDeleteThe food certainly does it to me, I cook quite a lot of Turkish recipes that I've picked up along the way, favourite being Stuffed Aubergines with minced lamb and herbs, delicious!
Best wishes,
Di,,
ABCW team.
Powell River Books:
ReplyDeleteHi Margy,
Thanks for stopping by and your comments.
The tent/cabins on the river were
rather Spartan, not a bit like your wonderful float Cabin,
They served a purpose for the intrepid Backpackers and Hikers... a most hardy bunch! we took the water taxi back to our lovely hotel in the forest.
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
oh how lovely to share all about.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures.
Lucky you.
What a stunningly beautiful place. I did laugh at Marie C's comment because the huts and mosquitoes were my first thought too.
ReplyDeleteHello Diane , what can I say? WOW is the first word!!!! What a beautiful place , mountains and the sea , something I could do with right now .. and the wonderful Butterfly Valley too. Thanks for sharing and I love your photos too.
ReplyDeletetake care xoxo Anne
Amazing! I am always impressed by your photographs of Turkey, a place I never considered visiting, but now I am. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous scenery and hotel! Your photos are fantastic. Great choice for O
ReplyDeleteHi Carolann, thanks for stopping by and you comments.
ReplyDeleteWe've travelled all over Europe but I have to say, Turkey takes some beating, although, France, particularly Provence in the south, comes a close second!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Joy,
ReplyDeleteI see the point about the mossies, they don't seem to like me but I can't remember anyone being bothered by them. We went home to our hotel late afternoon, I wouldn't enjoy such Spartan conditions !
Stunning scenery, as you say!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Anne,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again, and thanks for your kind comments.
Turkey certainly does have the 'wow' factor.
Sadly, like most countries it does have it's down side too, particularly to the eastern borders...don't go there!!!
We should have gone to Istanbul a few years ago but sadly the trip was cancelled due to terrorist activities, the week we should have been there four bombs were detonated and several lives were lost.
We never did pluck up the courage to arrange another trip, so sad because it's the basin of civilisation.
So such beautiful buildings too!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Arnoldo,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and your kind words.
I do hope you get to Turkey, you think, just when you've seen it all, turn a corner, then something else exciting appears.
Fascinating place and such lovely people,
Blessings to you my friend,
Di,
ABCW team.
Hi Beverly,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and your comments.
The hotel was in a lovely setting, quite comfortable and great food, if you didn't like too much rich food the chef would do you a steak or plain grilled fish, good service too!
I loved the walk down to the lagoon, just to gaze at the breath taking views of the lagoon.
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I have been several times in Turkey but can't remember to have seen this beautiful place !
ReplyDeleteGattina, Hello and thanks for stopping by,
ReplyDeleteOlu Deniz is in the region of Fethiye and is just further down the coast from The Kayakov Valley,.
There is a rather tacky resort called Hisaranu, lots of cheap and cheerful hotels and eateries but not for me!
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Beautiful shots of the place, very much inviting.
ReplyDeleteNow I have to go to our coop and buy some fresh dolma! Yum... thanks for keeping us "abreast of Turkey," lol. Amy
ReplyDeleteYour post is a perfect example of why I love the Internet, blogs, and memes that allow me to find blogs such as yours. You have expanded my mind about Turkey and what it looks like. Until today, my image of Turkey is dry, dry, and dry. And, flat. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteRajesh:
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and your comments.
Turkey is a delightful country and well worth a visit.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Sharp little pencil:
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
Good to hear from you, hope you enjoyed your Dolma....I get your pun on keeping abreast on Turkey!!
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Su-siee, hi,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again.
I totally agree with you about blogging broadening our minds, I have been able to get a better slant on life as it really is, particularly in Canada America and India, plus many more places.
it's wonderful to be able to chat to people all over the world, and it's all thanks to Denise Roger, Leslie, plus the intrepid band of helpers!
I too imagined Turkey to be a dry and dusty place, whereas it's quite the opposite, verdant with rivers flowing all over.
best wishes,
Di.ABCW team.
This week, Turkey makes me think of Gallipoli when the Australia and New Zealand soldiers were killed.
ReplyDeleteAnn Chen:
ReplyDeleteHello. good to hear from you again and thanks for your comments.
Turkey is very much in the spotlight, as you mention , because of the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli War, such a futile war, as ever, where hundreds of thousands of brave young men lost their lives.
The heaviest losses were amongst the Anzac forces.
May they all RIP.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team
That looks amazing - I want to go. Now!
ReplyDeleteHi Trubes,
ReplyDeleteThank you for popping over to my blog and leaving a message.
I hope you enjoy your holiday in turkey, I expect the warmth and sunshine helps with your ailments?
Regarding the hens, you could keep about 3 full -sized hens in a suberban garden as pets, or maybe 6 Bantam hens.
However, unless you have a friend or neighbour who is able to check up on the hens daily/twice daily, taking holidays might pose problems.
There are boarding places for hens you have got one nearby?
However, good luck if you decide to keep them, they are so entertaining and of course, there are the eggs!
Dhissom Manyawar is the next Play Bazaar owner of the all Satta King. Mangement can decide the better placement for USA, New York, New Zealand and China. Interested candidates shall be carry his/her previous track record. More then 12 year of experience can beat to your compititer. Find you dream job now.
ReplyDelete