Lazy Sunday - day before the storm

After all the rain last night - the air smelt really fresh. Wasn't sure what our plan were, but on our way to breakfast we bumped into Hassan - our very own Captain Pugwash - shouting "Booooooat Treeeeeeeep" trying to round up participants for the daily trip out into the bay for a bit of sunbathing and snorkeling.

It was a bit of a windy day - after effects of last nights storm, but we figured it would be a good way to while away the day. The last day before becoming official homeowners in Turkey.

About 20 of us opted for the day's outing on the Hotels Gulet, and it was a good bunch of people - not big party heads. Just folks out for a mellow cruise across the ocean.

From the Outside Looking In (a view of Bodrum Castle from the back of the boat)

edited in Photoshop by Roving Jay

First stop was at Cleopatra Cave - on Kara Ada Island, about 6km from Bodrum Harbor. The story goes, that Cleopatra made use of mud from the cave to keep herself beautiful, and the other story goes, that she hid is this cave from her enemies. Now both stories were told by different people on the boat -- and I'm not sure of the validity of either. But the Bodrum Peninsula Guide backs up the mud & beauty story.

So did I visit the cave? No.

Did I swim in the healing waters? No?

Instead I bought a corn on the cob and watched the tourists getting on and soaked in the scenery.

We boarded the Skylark again for about 1 1/2 and ended up in a gorgeous bay for some snorkeling.

I'm in love!

Anchored down in Yalikavak

Saturday:

Once we arrived in Yalikavak, we meandered around the central part of town. Go to an online map of Yalikavak, find the Mosque, go across Gur Caddesi -- there's a triangle of streets, fanning towards to harbor. It's a bit confusing at first, nothing compared to Bodrum of course, but easy to lose a place you've just seen!

Down one of the pedestrian streets, we plotted up outside the Anchor Bar to watch the Ryder Cup. I left Red there to soak up the golf action, and I wandered around to take some photo's.

There was a great little art alley with fabulous local artwork.

We've really fallen in love with Yalikavak. I could imagine whiling away a few summer evenings here. Opposite the Anchor Bar was a fab little restaurant -- I really want to eat there one day - can't remember the name - but really want to go back there to eat. Small place - probably only about 8 tables inside, with a few tables outside, just loved it.

We hopped on the Dolmus to Bodrum at 6.30, which went via the Ortakent route. So today, we've really done a loop of the peninsula -- Bodrum, Turgutreis, Gumusluk, Yalikavak and Bodrum. It's really easy to get around. Sure the buses can get a bit crowded -- but they're only short journeys, and you get more of a holiday feel, when you're jammed into local transport with the yokels.

Back to the hotel to change, and then back out to our fave new restaurant at the far - non touristy end of Bar Street -- Berk Balik. Got to make sure you don't fill up on bread though. I just assumed it'd be pita or some kind of flat bread in Turkish restaurants - but most of the places serve doughy french stick - what gives?!

I was dubbed "she big boss" by the waiter - because I paid the bill. Thought Red would be annoyed, but he found it highly amusing. Keep forgetting that actions that are taken for granted in the US or UK, and a bit of a novelty in Turkey.

At night there was a massive thunderstorm -- sheets of rain, and the electricity went out. What else could we do - but prop up the bar and have a few Efes's! It's a really odd bar scene in the hotel -- there's folks that hang out there every night - and even eat there. It seems as if they've come on holiday to the hotel, and hang by the pool all day, and eat in the hotel... I know it takes all sorts - but really -- 15 steps outside of the hotel is a different world - don't they want to explore?