Arrival In Fethiye: Suddenly We’re In Turkey
As one of our friends commented the other day, we just can’t sit still for long. And so suddenly, in the blink of an eye, instead of watching the cold, wet autumnal days of England get shorter and shorter, we find ourselves looking out from our apartment balcony across the blue waters of a yacht filled marina to the pine clad hills on the other side of the bay. We’re in Turkey, and here’s how….
Back in the COVID blighted days of 2020, with our long held dreams of retirement travel temporarily knocked sideways, our choice of destinations shifted from our established wish list to those which presented themselves through happenstance. In other words, each time our erstwhile leader Boris Johnson – remember him? – declared our airports open, we headed for any one of those countries which had opted to eschew the need for quarantine. One such was Turkey.
Making our way slowly around the Turquoise Coast all the way from Izmir to Alanya via a couple of detours inland, we were treated to an Efesus devoid of crowds, a Pamukkale where a hot air balloon flight could be booked at less than 24 hours notice, and some alluring coastal resorts where beaches were full of empty spaces and half of the restaurants sat silently behind closed doors.
Heading south west from Pamukkale we turned left at Mugla towards Dalyan, so missing out what we knew to be another spectacular section of that Turquoise Coast. Now, after returning from our Africa adventure where opportunities to enjoy one’s own space in apartments-with-a-view are severely limited, we’ve opted to fill this unexpected free time by plugging that Turquoise gap.
And so it is that twist of fate which brings us to the town of Fethiye, arriving late Tuesday afternoon and waking to this superb view the next morning:
Even at first glance, there’s no doubting that Fethiye is a tourist destination, the huge numbers of restaurants, the tour boats masquerading as pirate ships and the regular shop windows advertising excursions here there and everywhere are solid evidence of that. But this is the back end of October, high season long over and the crowds long gone, and it takes just the first half hour of wandering around town for us to be reminded of all the reasons we love Turkey.
Turkey. I am told that we are supposed to say Türkiye rather than Turkey these days, but it strikes me as a bit odd that just for one country on Earth we have to drop our word and use theirs – in fact, until someone tells me that the French have stopped saying “Angleterre” and that “Inglaterra” has been removed from the Spanish vocabulary, I’ll continue to write only in my own English, thank you very much. And that’s a fait accompli, amigos. Quod erat demonstrandum.
Before we go any further, a note about Michaela’s photographs, which for this trip will all be taken on iPhone because our camera curse struck again towards the end of our Africa trip. For at least the fifth time in a row, the beloved camera gave up the ghost just a few weeks after clearing the hurdle of the 12-month warranty period – uncanny how regularly this happens, a cynic would think it’s by design.
Fethiye is our first call in Turkey, the next is as yet undecided. The only thing we know for now is that we will soak up the joys of Turkey for about a month before returning home. And with these blue skies, this warm sunshine, and the stunningly beautiful natural setting of Fethiye, things are off to a very decent start.
25 Comments
Annie Berger
I was so curious where you’d both end up on your next adventure so was happy to see your new post saying Turkey is your newest destination! Looks like you’re off to a beautiful start judging from Michaela’s photos. Wishing you continued fun travels.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Annie, just a month or so this time so a short one by our standards…and yours….
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
I’ve loved my visits to Turkey. I’ve visited during March and April when the weather was pretty good but it was completely uncrowded. A long visit to Ephesus (and many other sites) was very possible and very enjoyed. There were five of us in our little group and together with our guide, there were maybe 12 people meandering through. Enjoy your trip!
Phil & Michaela
Thank you, I am sure we will, we have a real affection for this country.
Monkey's Tale
Awesome! I know how much you loved Turkey. Enjoy!
Phil & Michaela
Yes we do, it’s a wonderful country.
grandmisadventures
Fate was certainly kind to you if you get to spend the next month with beautiful views of turquoise waters like that! What a great adventure to finish off the year 🙂
Phil & Michaela
Should be good…there’s a lot to love about Turkey!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Now you are speaking my language. Enjoy!
Phil & Michaela
😂😀👍….and Turkey is so good….
Helen Devries
I loved Turkey…looking forward to your travels there.
Phil & Michaela
We love it too, Helen
Miriam
A month in Turkey. Sounds wonderful to me. Enjoy it all. Looks like you’ve started in a very pretty peaceful spot. IPhone pics can be almost as good as a whizz bang camera these days! Have fun. 😄
Phil & Michaela
Yes they certainly can. Looking forward to this next month, Turkey is one of our favourite countries
Lookoom
The photos of the balcony show a very pleasant spot where it’s easy to get away from the cold, dark north. I have a feeling that a few more explorations will follow.
Phil & Michaela
It was lovely to feel the warmth of the sun again…and Turkey is such a great country…
restlessjo
It was a September day, 35 years ago, that we arrived in Fethiye, after a gulet cruise from Bodrum. I’m sure that there’ll be more restaurants and apartments now- more of everything, in fact- but it still looks beautiful. Enjoy!
Phil & Michaela
Wow! Well, our impressions so far are that if it was high season this would definitely not be the place for us, but now, out of season with the weather still good, it’s absolutely lovely. And the natural setting is just gorgeous.
restlessjo
The gulet experience was wonderful, sailing through all those islands, Phil. Much quieter times then.
WanderingCanadians
Why am I not surprised to hear that you’re already travelling again!? Fethiye looks beautiful and how fun to visit after all the crowds have left. Bummer about the camera situation though, but so far the iPhone photos are looking sharp.
Phil & Michaela
Ha ha, no we can’t stay put for long! It’s beautiful here, so much nicer for being out of season.
Toonsarah
I envy you all that sea and sunshine, as it seems we need to stay put this side of Christmas! I’m looking forward to enjoying a vicarious trip with you instead 🙂
Phil & Michaela
I don’t think this would be the place for us in high season but at this time of year it’s fantastic!
Heyjude
No surprise to see that you are away from the gloomy English autumn already. You two certainly have ants in your pants! I have never been to any Turkish resorts, but many years ago (even longer than Jo) I did visit Istanbul and also cross the country on my India trip. Never wanted to return to be honest as I despise the politics there, but I do envy you the warmth and the blue skies.
Phil & Michaela
We’ve liked everywhere we’ve been in Turkey, even on our extended trip of 2020. It has so much going for it…although this particular area would definitely not be for us in high season. In fact it would probably be horrible! But at this time of year it’s absolutely fine and the scenery is superb. The political situation of course is another thing altogether.