We gave the motorbike a rest and joined a “Gwen on KW” tour to Lake Koycegiz. Gwen, an American by birth, has lived in Turkey for years and knows everyone and everyplace. She lives on her boat, KW, in Netsel Marina and for “the fun of it” plans tours throughout the year, but mostly, unfortunately for us, in the winter when no one cruises. She arranges the bus, the hotels and tours in the towns they visit. This past Thursday we went about an hour’s minivan ride away to Koycegiz for a three course Turkish lunch and a walk along the lake and through the small town. It was a nice day out and a chance to meet some other people.

“As it’s tough to rival the Med, this farming town attracts only modest tourism, and still depends mostly on citrus, olives, honey and cotton for its livelihood. This region is also famous for its liquid ambar trees (frankincense trees,) source of precious amber gum….Koycegiz-Dalyan Nature Reserve has a growing reputation among outdoor types for its excellent hiking and cycling. “Lonely Planet Also Dalyan is famous for its river marsh where the marsh scene of African Queen was filmed. Seeing that is on Randal’s To Do list if we have time.

Alila Hotel where we ate our 3 course Turkish lunch on the shaded back patio by the swimming pool.

We arrived in Koycegiz about noon and made a group decision to gather back at the hotel at 1 pm for lunch. I knew I wanted to do some walking so Randal and I headed out along the lake. Most of our group were women in sandals who’d mostly come for the company and lunch so we didn’t really have any takers to join us. (Those same women in “girlie shoes” had been cruising for years and had captain’s licenses and charter boat captain licenses!) We walked about 15 minutes and actually came to the end of the walking area along the lake. There were drink stands so I had my usual cola light and Randal his usual Efes beer. I had bothered to bring my paints so while he drank his beer I painted a bad picture. In truth, that spot had no scenic value whatsoever, so I painted the colorful blue and white umbrellas and a woman sitting under them and the lake and mountains. All that was done in about 10 minutes with way too little skill and thought; but at least I did it. Then it was time to walk back for lunch.

I liked the blue and white umbrellas so painted them.

Walking back along the lake to the hotel for lunch.

Bells were attached to the fishing lines to ring and call the fisherman back from the shade of the trees across the way.

Glass bottles were used the same way, I think. If something pulled the line the bottle would fall over and make noise and attract the attention of the fisherman. Or they were there for an entirely different reason but I have no idea. Instead of fishing reels, the line is wrapped around the blue plastic circle.

Lunch

Randal and I shared the salad but each of us had a plate of meze (starters.)

I knew more would be coming so ate bits of everything. I have no idea what each thing was though. The white stuff near the fork is “yogurt salad.” Yogurt is mixed with olive oil and garlic and onions and either cucumber or carrots or whatever. It’s very good but rich so a little goes a long way. The orange colored stuff tasted like couscous. The green are stuffed grape leaves and the round is a fried vegetable-egg mixture. Cheese is in the middle.

The main course was rice and chicken kabobs which tasted more like Chinese than Turkish to me. They just didn’t match the sizzling ones we ate when we got lost on our first ride to Bozburun and had lunch at the Sahin Café in Osmaniye.

I wish I’d gone from the starters directly to dessert because the honey cake was so good but I was too full. They also served apricot, melon and cherries.

Turks are quite fond of dogs and cats and this one helped Randal and me eat our chicken and cheese. Not sure how our fellow diners felt, but the staff didn’t care and the cat seemed happy.

They were happy to tell me what they were making and gave me a taste. But it was all in Turkish so I have no idea. It didn’t exactly taste like the orange stuff we’d had with lunch so I just don’t know.

Then it was time for a walk around town. One of the women said “there was nothing to see and the town was uninteresting.” But Randal and I had a really good time and wish we’d had longer.

American cartoon characters decorated this elementary school.

We both admired this building with its lovely balcony. 1935 was inscribed over the door.

We stopped to admire his shiny red motorbike and that led to a conversation about the technical high school where he taught. (We are standing at the front of the school.) He and the headmaster happened to be standing outside as we walked past. The young boy seems to be intrigued with Randal.

Turks know the value of shade and awnings or vine-covered trellises are to be found everywhere.

Men playing the card/tile game.

I’ve no idea if this is a good hand or a bad hand.

Lots of wool is used in Turkey and this wool shop had a knitting machine that works like a player piano. (I took this photo for you Andrew!)

The man in the yellow shirt is the barber: Randal had a shave here. The guy on the motor bike stopped and I didn’t know if he wanted me to take his photo or he thought I wanted a photo of the barber, so I took a photo and here it is.

Karaca Aktar

Meanwhile, across from the barber was a shop that sold soap and candy and herbs and tea and Ali kept making me taste things and I was already full from lunch. I tasted mulberries (thought those were poison?) and then a piece of lemon Turkish Delight I kept making him cut into a smaller piece as he tried to give me a big piece and then some carob honey. I ended up buying a clove necklace. I can’t imagine anyone wearing one but he said women do. He also said it was a deterrent for mosquitoes. We do have mosquitoes and I’d rather smell cloves than bug repellent. While I was there a group of the ladies came along and they all bought some too! So I did good for Ali, my new friend in Koycegiz. You can see the clove necklaces hanging on the left side of the photo. The shop did smell wonderful. Randal bought a clove necklace for the marina nurse who dresses his dog bite wound every day.

Our cloves are hanging on the back wall behind our bed but they haven’t improved the Sox playing of late. You can see the blue “evil eye” protectors among the cloves. Makes the room smell nice.

We were to regroup back at the hotel so Randal and I made our way back passing this playground. Lots of tortoises are found in the area and there are protected beaches for their breeding.

But horses are still my favorite. If we’d had one of these where I grew up I would have spent all of my free time on it. Probably would have skipped school too, if I’d had the nerve.

Ru

Doramac

ps  Our friend Singkey has come from China to improve her English skills.  She will be working in a resort on Hilton Head for the summer.  If anyone is going to Hilton Head, maybe you can say hello.  She is working at the Barony Beach Club on Hilton Head.