Top 5 Zesty Moment picks from Sedef

Today’s “Waxing Lyrical” Top 5 is a guest post from Sedef. I recently discovered her Zesty Moments blog over on Blogger, and devoured her multiple posts about the Bodrum area, especially her descriptions of local eateries.

She’s just got back from a trip to Turkey, and below she waxes lyrical about her most recent memories and experiences on the Peninsula.

Two Cultures

by Sedef at Zesty Moments

I must have gotten the travel bug when I took my first transatlantic flight from New York to Istanbul at the ripe age of one month old. Ever since then, traveling between America and Turkey has been a natural part of my life.

I’m currently living in New Jersey and can only get to Turkey for about one month during the summer. My husband and I love to travel and indulge our curious and demanding palates.

Renting a house in Bodrum for our extended family the past two summers, has given us the opportunity to revel in all the treasures that Bodrum has to offer in regards to food, shopping and an amazing geography.

Break of Dawn

Break of dawn – watching the sun break through the sky and colors play across the water till it is the perfect combination of deep blues, white and fuschia that we call BODRUM.

Early morning in Gümüşlük, drinking tea at the belediye cay bahcesi by the water and contemplating the little town as it slowly comes to life – fishermen coming back from their early morning catch, locals taking their morning walks and the random store or cafe opening up to serve the early birds.

Going for a swim when the beach totally belongs to us and there is not a single ripple on the water.

Lingering at the Table

Having breakfast at our balcony looking out over the most amazing view that takes my breath away every single morning.

Sitting at a table on the beach at Korfez in Kadikalesi or Palavra in Ortakentand enjoying their wonderful mezes and fish, accompanied with Raki.

Gathering with family and friends in Ana Ogul Restaurant in Turgutreis for some of the best Turkish homecooking we have ever tasted.

Discovering secluded beaches, or fish restaurants right on the water that will make you tea, and let you sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze that is passing through their shore, during a road trip to Torba.

Backroads

Driving through country roads from Yahşi to Ortakent, or Derekoy to Gümüşlük, and discovering lovely stone cottages in the middle of untouched tangerine fields.

Wandering aimlessly around Bodrum center, running into little back alleys with beautiful homes, or old rundown churches and mosques waiting to be discovered.

Just being in this beautiful geography, enjoying the unbelievable view and breathing this lovely air.

Shopping

Walking around the pazar at Ortakent and talking to the villagers and fellow shoppers, connecting…

Shopping for fruits, vegetables as well as ‘pestamals’ at Turgutreis pazar on Saturdays (feature photo)

Sunsets

Sitting at Geriş at twilight watching the moon rise as the sun sets over Yalikavak.

Watching the sunset from a different bay each evening and not being able to decide which is better – Gümüşlük, Bitez, Bodrum, Turgutreis or Yalikavak.

Why not visit Sedef’s Zesty Moments blog and read about her recent adventures on the Bodrum Peninsula.

Top 5 Zesty Moment picks from Sedef

Watercolours of Bodrum by Faruk Köksal

Treasure Hunt

I spend a lot of my time at the screen and keyboard, surfing the web looking for inspiration. One of my recent surfing trips turned into a treasure hunt. It started with a Irish Art link on Facebook, and after a few degrees of separation and multiple forward-links, I found myself at Fine Art America admiring Bodrum Watercolours – all without the aid of map or compass.

The watercolours were a great discovery. I’ve dabbled in all artistic mediums — you name it, and I’ve painted or drawn with it. I think the creative process is amazing, and wish I could create watercolours like these — they’re truly beguiling. I love the loose style, and with watercolour, what you leave out is as important as what you include. It allows the viewer to “fill in the blanks” and use their imagination to let the artwork transport them to another realm.

I’m so pleased that Faruk has graciously allowed me to showcase his artwork here.

Introducing the Artist:

Faruk Köksal is a graduate of Istanbul University, where he studied Journalism.

In his earlier years, his primary and high school teachers encouraged him to start painting. Whilst developing his skills, he chose to focus on watercolour techniques, which requires quick application – and doesn’t accept failure during the creation.

Faruk’s first personal exhibition was in 2009. He paints in his own studio, where he uses naivety, mystery and romance of the watercolour in order to depict Turkey’s cultural and touristic attractions.

Feast your eyes

Click on this Fine Art America Logo to view more of Faruk’s watercolours.

This is not a Sponsored link. I’m sharing this artwork because it’s beautiful and it should be shared

Faruk’s artwork beguiles me… what does it do for you?

Watercolours of Bodrum by Faruk Köksal

Welcome to Turgutreis

Welcome to Turgutreis

Day Boat from Gümüşlük

Alternate departure for a Day Boat

The biggest selection of daily boat trips on the peninsula head out from Bodrum and Turgutreis, but you’re not limited to these two main harbours if you fancy a day on the water.

Even small villages like Gümüşlük advertise daily boat trips during peak season.

Just head down to Gümüşlük Bay/Harbour and look out for the signs.

Day Boat from Gümüşlük

Red’s Top 5 Picks for the Bodrum Peninsula

1st Trip Memories

Here’s the Top 5 from Red, my husband. He’s my partner in crime, and was just as enthusiastic as me to travel half way around the world in 2008, for a two week trip to the Bodrum Peninsula to scope out buying a souvenir we couldn’t bring home — a house near Gümüşlük.

I’ve cajoled him into sharing his Top 5 picks with you, his only concern with this was that he had to limit his selection to 5.

Gulet day trip from Bodrum Harbour, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal blue Aegean water

Walking around Turgutreis Saturday market, amid the madness

Enjoying Octopus drizzled in olive oil, at Berk Balık, Bodrum

Turkish Coffee at a Bodrum Harbour cafe, with only the fisherman for company

Fishing off Kadikalesijetty

Red's Top 5 Picks for the Bodrum Peninsula

Natalie from Turkish Travel Blog, Top 5

Just after the New Year, Natalie from Turkish Travel Blog, took a Road trip from Altinkum to the Bodrum.

Here’s her Top 5 recommendations of her visit to the Peninsula:

Walking around Bodrum castle and admiring beautiful views from it

Cold beer in hand and watching the Turgutreis sunset

Sitting on a cold winters’ night, around a wood fire in Ali Babas restaurant in Yalikavak

Enjoying the coastal road drive from Turgutreis to Yalikavak

Watching fisherman at work in Gümüşlük

If you want to read more about Natalie‘s inspiration for her Top 5, click on any of the Numbered Bullet Points above to view additional content from Turkish Travel Blog.

Turgutreis Beach image supplied by Natalie

Natalie from Turkish Travel Blog, Top 5

Welcome to Bağla Bay

Bağla Bay
Heralded as one of the best coves and beaches on the peninsula, Bağla is only 14km from Bodrum.

If you’ve just driven from Aspat, past the rural landscape, this dollop of Club Vacation commercialism is an assault to the senses. But if you can navigate your way past the Magic Life complex – there’s a beach that is reputed to be one of the best on the peninsula.

The ocean views from the top of the hill as you round the corner to discover Bağla are beautiful. There are a couple of coves to either side of the main Bağla beach, and the cove to the west of Bağla Point is popular for Daily Boat Trips. The coves and the area around them are available for camping.

At the time of my visit, I wasn’t able to navigate myself from the main road and past the complex to reach the sand, but the roads on Google maps, make it look so simple.

Even though the beach may be beautiful, the proximity to Magic Life makes me a little leery of going back to try and navigate the maze.

Welcome to Bağla Bay

Bodrum to Datça by Ferry Boat

Bodrum Ferry Boat run twice daily services from Bodrum to Datça.

Datça is small town located on the Datça peninsula, which is the long, narrow finger of land that separates the Mediterranean and Aegean seas.

This area of Turkey offers un-spoilt natural beauty as well as a countless string of secluded bays to explore.

Datça is 22 miles south east of Bodrum (approx 2 hrs by ferry), and 75 km away from Marmaris. The ferry docks at Datça Ferry boat port (also known as Körmen), which is about 9km from the town of Datça.

Portions of the Datça Summary: (c) Bodrum Ferryboat Routes

BODRUM-DATÇA

Bodrum Ferry Boat

Vehicle-Passenger Ferry

105 minutes

Prices for Bodrum Ferryboat Timetable for Bodrum Ferryboat Where to catch the Datça Ferryboat in Bodrum: email: info@bodrumferryboat.com Bodrum Office Phone: (252) 316 0882 and (252) 313 2509 Datça Office Phone: (252) 712 2143

Bodrum Peninsula Route Map: (c) Aegeantourtravel.com

View other Bodrum Peninsula Ferry Routes

Just west of Datça is a chain of three bays - Ovabükü, Hayıtbükü and Kizilbük, which are an ideal location to wallow in peace and tranquility. Read about these three bays at alaturkajournal

.Bodrum to Datça by Ferry Boat

Welcome to Aspat Bay and Aspat Hill

Aspat Hill, sandwiched between Bağla Bay and Karaincir

ASPAT BAY
Once you get over the hill next to Bagla Bay you’re in Aspat, which features in a local folk song “Çökertme”. Historically this area was known as Aspartos, and Evliya Çelebi, an Ottoman traveller wrote of it in his chronicles in the 1600′s.

View of Aspat Beach from Aspat Hill

Aspat Bay sits in the shadow of Aspat Hill to the east. This hill is the ancient location of Aspat Castle (also known as Çifit Castle), which had a circumference measuring 700 paces.

Hike up Aspat Hill: Follow a narrow path and steps up the hill, to step back in time and journey through the ruins of the civilizations who inhabited this location in ancient times. If you manage to make it to the top of Aspat Hill, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of land and ocean.

The hill can be accessed from the road, or from the beach. To get over the small inlet of water that divides the beach from the hill, you’ll cross a small bridge.

When you stroll around the base of the hill, the first ruin you’ll come across is the old Hamam.

Panoramio User ID Maschuehle has posted a great group of photo’s of the climb up Aspat Hill. His Aspat Album gives you a great preview of all of the ruins you will see along the way.

This turquoise cove is also the location for for the Termera Resort Solida Beach, follow this link to view some photo’s. Read more about the location of Aspat on the Termera site.

Follow the coastline to the west, and you’ll reach the sheltered bay of Karaincir.

Follow the road to the east, and you’ll reach Bağla. Read about my rural drive from Aspat to Bağla

View larger map

Feature Photo Copyright http://www.aspat.com.tr

Content Photo’s Copyright Adil Özdemir and Maschuehle via Panoramio

Welcome to Aspat Bay and Aspat Hill