[just as an fyi, I genuinely do only write this guff, because I like writing. It’s aimed to be nothing other than cathartic, in a non-medical sense. Reader discretion advised!]
Slept way better last night, which was probably down to a combo of all the walking, followed by a big meal, and a few Tuborg Golds, but I’ll take that! Also started by falling asleep on the beanbags on the balcony – it’s just so comfortable.
Because the apartment is just over 1200ft (390m) above sea level, we’re blessed with a lovely breeze most of the time, and that means sitting out on the balcony, even when it’s above 30C, is a joy.
Which is handy when you have to sit around waiting for Lurchio to get out of his pit. I suspect he’s regretting yesterdays badly-applied suncream (leaving him burned) and likely one more Tuborg than was wise (leaving him a little dehydrated). Life lessons…
Whilst we wait, it led me to think about the animals around us. Next doors have a Cockrell with a sore throat, a big dog, and what sounds like a peacock. We on the other hand trump that by having a goat, as previously mentioned.
We have yet to set eyes on a tortoise or a wild pig however, but my mission will continue. If I’m lucky and we ever get to The Blue Lagoon today, I may even see a Turtle. Fingers crossed on both counts!
Finally got moving, so jumped a Taxsi to Fez Bar in Hisarönü, to grab something for dinner (“lunch” for non-locals). Chicken kebab for me & a half-decent 5.2% Frederick IPA, a Türk Tuborg ‘craft’ offering.
We met the owner, Serdal, who is good friends with Gareth. After a good chinwag, he suggested sending a photo of us & to say ‘Merhaba!’. So I did!
We wandered back around to the Taxsi rank & ‘blew’ a whole £3.50 on a ride to Billy’s Beach, on the Blue Lagoon, rather than walk a very circuitous dog-day* hour.
(*technically not a dog day yet, for the pedants).
Around £3.50 in each, to the private beach “including sand, sunbed & umbrella”. Have to laugh that on some of the FB groups we’ve joined, people talk about prices going up. It’s gone from a pre-pandemic 8TL to the £, to 20TL, whilst 40-50TL can get you a pint.
Apparently I spent around an hour slow-pickling myself in the lagoon, snorkelled up, albeit I didn’t see any wildlife, but did nearly fall asleep face down it was so relaxing! No turtles today, not even a turtles head.
After the swim, a brief stint on sunbeds ensued, until Jane wanted a “Cornetto, not pistachio” & a coke. A bar trip, and an inevitable first taste of the Efes (“100cl jug & 2 glasses, so I don’t look like a pisspot, Lütfen”).
As we watched all the tandem parasailers come down from the top of the mountain, ( of which, at some points there were over 15 in the sky above us), I happened upon a Facebook post that made me chuckle – it wasn’t salami, it was Turkish sausage, the fools!
From there we took a (free) dolmus back to Oludeniz beachfront bus station, and had a quick wander. It was busy, quite touristy, and glancing at prices is a touch higher priced that Hisarönü & Ovacik, for good reason being on the seafront.
We decided a taxsi back to the nearer end of Hisarönü suited us more and hunted down our snacky tea. Again on good recommendation, we went for a quick (Chicago style) pizza at Pizza Pepino. The usual friendly welcome & impeccable service awaits, and Charlie popped his “first beer order” cherry, in that when asked if he wanted a beer, he said “yes”. His first served pint!
From there, a quick stroll past a few shops selling Stone Island/Moncler/Ahmed’s (Stockport, 1980s reference) etc, before picking up “drugs” from a pharmacy for a neighbour.
Finally a nip up the road to the apartment, during which I got to use the Turkish Salsa (Sol & Sa, left & right) & we made it right to the gate. Opposite the chap who owns a posh retail chain in the UK, who’s apartment I wish I’d taken a picture of yesterday. It it seems empty now, but has previously been lit up with colour-shifting LEDs but in a very tastefully done manner imho!
Game over for today. No clouds at all again. Lots of good people met. Great food, relaxed atmosphere.
Tomorrow will (and without wishing to disappoint this may be a trajectory) likely be a quieter one. May just leave the apartment to get up the Babadag cable car to the summit & watch someone throw themselves over a mountainside and then throw their breakfast over a hotel pool complex. You never know!
Until tomorrow!
Sounds like you are taking in the culture and really enjoying yourselves. Please don’t forget the sun cream.😎😘😘😘