B dock
Netsel Marina
Marmaris, Turkey
Merhaba,
This past Friday a group of us went on a hike lead by John, a British xpat who has lived here about 5 years (if I remember correctly.) Like most Brits, he is a walker/hiker. Not knowing our strengths or weaknesses for that matter, he started us out on a moderate 5 mile hike. The weather gods smiled and it was a perfect day. Randal, with a list of boat chores, stayed behind and worked very hard. I think we were equally pooped by the end of the day.
Ru
DoraMac
Friday Hike on the Southern Aegean
“Located on Reşadiye peninsula of the holiday town of Marmaris, the Bördübet cove is a small fishing and beekeeping village. Bördübet faces the Gökova Gulf and is surrounded by dense forests. Like many other coves in the area, it has a unique nature. Golden Key Bördübet is 27 kilometers from Marmaris and 55 kilometers from Datça.
Bördübet, which means “bird’s bed,” was aptly named by English soldiers who hid in this cove (during WW 1) many years ago. The area is home to many species of birds, including rock doves, goldfinches, nightingales, piscivorous (eating mostly fish) birds, sparrow hawks and many other kinds of birds. It is perfectly safe to watch and listen to the birds, but if you are to take a walk into the depths of the forest, it is better to first consult with the local inhabitants.
The most significant feature of the cove is the river that flows through the dense pine forest and empties out into the sea. Surrounded by green pine trees, the sea makes for a wonderful view, particularly for photographers. The region provides a relaxing, stress-free haven away from the city. The place where the river meets the sea creates an interesting cove reminiscent of a small Amazon forest, with all its plant, animal and bird diversity. It is home to many wild animals such as wild boars, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, and badgers.
Because of its unique forest location, Bördübet offers rare shadows and cool weather even on the hottest days of August. http://www.tophotelsinturkey.com/Details-Online-Hotel-Booking.asp?id=20220120626120144170
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“An extraordinary place in deep, wild forest, far removed from all jarring traces of modern Turkish development. There is a deep and deserted bay within walking distance, with spectacularly clear water and a small private beach where you are unlikely to see more than a dozen bathers at any time. There is a quiet stream and miles of lush wilderness in the background. There are no alligators, though you’d almost expect to see them here. The founder and ruler of Camp Amazon is Mr Güneş Tecelli, a retired journalist of legendary fame. His wit and sense of humour are evident in many small details around the camp. In addition to plenty of space to set up your tent, the grounds offer a nice swimming pool and a restaurant of considerable local fame. There are a number of extremely basic, if functional, bungalows for the tentless guests. There is a semi-paved road to the camp from Değirmenyanı, 14 km West of Marmaris, as well as a more scenic gravel road that branches off from the narrowest point of the Datça Peninsula and skirts close to the sea.” http://www.kucukvebutikoteller.com/eng/amazon-club |
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Marmaris wasn’t far down the highway, but the dirt road from the highway was windy and curvy and we were all a bit greenish when we arrived. Golden Kew is a resort island which is closed this time of year so we had the trail entirely to ourselves. |
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Starting out was flat by a lovely farm area on one side and scrub covered hills on the other.
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John, our hike leader, pointed out the floating pieces of wood in the trough. The wood is for bees to rest on while they get a drink and not drown in the process. Also, indentions in the wood hold water also for them to drink. Who knew? Below is a suggestion for a bee waterer. “set up a water feeder by filling a pie pan with marbles and then water. The marbles give the bees a spot to land so that they don’t drown when they come to drink” http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Building_a_bee_waterer/ |
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We drove up and down to get to the hike’s start and then we walked along the coast and then climbed up and over and then down to where we’d started. My lungs aren’t quite used to “up” as all of our walking is flat along the coast most of the time. |
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Very desolate and lovely but I think part of the protected Turkish National Forest. |
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Not me. This is Gamze who also has wild dark hair taking a photo of her husband Kaan walking ahead down the mountain. |
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Quinn and his dad Gary having a great father-son moment. |
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Dale and Jane up on the ridge. This is a great image to use for learning to add people in the landscape of watercolor painting. Just silhouettes. |
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A final photo op; Dale with Quinn and Gary off to the side. |
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A small village or homestead (not sure) just at the beginning/end of our walk.
A sweater or scarf from her shaggy coat would be lovely. Or yogurt or cheese.
Lots of bee keeping in this area.
Wouldn’t you love to hear her stories! |
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I think the walk we did was part of the Carian Trail which does have a section by Bördübet. “The Carian Trail – named after the ancient region of Caria in south-west Asia Minor – recently opened to the public. It stretches from Bodrum and Karpuzlu, by the Aegean Sea in the west, around the Gulf of Gokova, to Icmeler, by the Mediterranean in the south-east. The new trail is already hot on the heels of the Lycian Way, Turkey’s most popular long-distance walk. But it is more than just a footpath. It links ancient roads and forgotten shepherd ways with historical sites and rarely visited villages, and forms a gateway to an authentic side of Turkey that’s rarely seen. “ http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/the-carian-trail-turkey-on-two-feet-9698085.html |
