How blue... is blue? See for yourself - The Blue Lagoon
Normal 0 For the past 25 years I have been involved in one way or another in travel, tourism or property. My name is Martin Kellett and I have been planning holidays and conducting cultural, special interest and group tours to many parts of Europe, to destinations in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Spain and so on. After many years of travelling to hundreds of coastal and mountain resorts, cities and towns all over Europe... I finally had a call to visit Turkey in the late '90s. My first introduction to Turkey, captivated me to it's magic. I was taken a back by its stunningly beautiful, rugged coastline and beaches. It's dramatic 6,000ft plus mountains that drop like a stone in to it's deep blue Mediterranean Sea. The area of Turkey that I particularly feel in love with was around the ancient market town of Fethiye. Resorts like Olu Deniz with it's fabulous beach and mystical "Blue Lagoon" typify this the uniqueness of this area of Turkey. Unique local customs and celebrations that are staged throughout the year by genuinely warm and friendly locals and Turkey's colourful past is displayed in abundance at many ancient local sites of history. Carved out cliff and rock tombs of the ancient Lycian civilisation in and around Fethiye and Dalayan and Roman remains with even a local open air Amphitheatre near Fethiye harbour. Fethiye Bay with it's 12 islands offer a great opportunity to enjoy a leisurely day of half day cruising around this beautiful natural water in-let. The day involves calling in at a number of remote and inaccessible islands where the only inhabitants are a few wild goats and birds. Rugged island coastline gives way to small-secluded beaches where if you do not arrive by boat you would never see them. Great diving and swimming in the crystal clear waters with even a few local interesting wreck dives for the official trained diver. There are a number of recognised diving schools in Fethiye and Karagozler a pretty little suburb. One of the real treats for me in visiting Turkey is it unique and wonderful cuisine, a pleasant mix of Arabic-Mediterranean style food with the use of many spices and herbs that suit my palate and probably yours. Succulent spiced charcoal grilled meats and fish are a speciality, while unusual salad combinations with mezzies, pulses and rice dishes making for what is proved to be a healthier dietary style of cuisine. There are some really excellent restaurants offering traditional Turkish and European food, so if you are not too experimental, you will still be well catered for. Shopping for gold, silver, international jewellery like watches etc is very good value and high quality, locally produced leather goods are not to be missed. You will find the prices are still very reasonable compared to the UK and the shopping experience is sheer fun. It is customary to barter a little, the shop keepers expect it, on the whole we enjoy it and it is not unknown for you to be invited in to the shop for a free Turkish tea, soft drink beverage or if you are in the Turkish Delight sweet shops to try the many varieties regardless of if you buy or not. Occasionally when I have visited the Turkish Delight shop, I have been encouraged by the shop owner to try so many different flavours that I feel guilty when leaving having only purchased what I want... never mind I'm over it! Things not to miss... The Fethiye Bay 12 Islands boat cruise including lunch on-board and swimming off the boat at the island stop offs, so take your swimming costume. The weekly Tuesday market in Fethiye, this one is for the locals as well as the visitors. Have a day in the beach resort of Olu Deniz with lunch in one of the many seafront restaurants... watch out for the tandem paragliders that land on the beach having thrown themselves off the over shadowing Mount Babadag (6040ft) above the beach. A visit to the national park at "The Blue Lagoon" where the water quality is stunning due to the fact that the inlet is fed from the sea but sheltered by a sweeping curved peninsular that protects it from the cooler open Mediterranean, so the water is always turquoise blue and warm like bath water. Saklikent Gorge where the ice cold running rapids have cut a natural pass through the gorge and where you can sit with a Turkish tea or a beer on pontoons that straddle the river or visit one of the famous tree houses that some tourist actually stay the night in. Keith Floyd once did a TV cookery feature from here, perched over the running torrents of Saklikent, which is what made me want to visit this wonderful area of Turkey. These highlights are just a few reasons why I love this part of the Mediterranean. I could, but I won't write any more about the many wonderful moments my family and I have shared in Turkey, but suffice to say, I have a special place in my heart for Fethiye, Olu Deniz and this area. I suppose my ultimate endorsement of the Turkish way of life and the wonderful holidays spent th