The Centric Home: Turkish Delightful

Turkey!

I arrived in the late evening so everything was dark and warm. The air was humid, smelled earthy and floral. On the way to where we were staying, the houses and shops wizzed by and I felt rather than saw large mountains looming in the darkness. We went up and down passes, through a tunnel and at the apex of the last mountain we crested, Fethiye spread out around the bay like a jeweled necklace. There was a huge orange moon rising above the city and it was magical.

Fethiye on the Bay

The next morning was hot and bright as they are when near the desert. I peeked past the edge of the heavy draperies to see a few neighbors eating breakfast on their patios. We walked in the heat to the shops nearest the beach to pick up provisions for the day and then staked out space around a bright blue woven willow umbrella stuck in the rocky sand. We stayed in the water, sun and shade all day until the twilight when we took a table at the local shish place right on the beach front. What a sunset and what a day!

Calis Beach under the umbrella via Author

Sunset from the quay via Author

Next the bus ride into Fethiye was crowded with locals, fast and in and out of traffic. It was hot and the air conditioning wasn't working well so we were sweaty before we got there. We jumped off at one of the main streets to start our shopping adventure. Loads of shops to stop in, the locals were sweet and wanted to know all about America. One shop owner had been there and even produced his New Jersey license to prove it! We hurried to the old quarter to the bazaar and what a sight!

Shopping the bazaar via Author

All the shops were packed with goods for sale from floor to ceiling and out the front doors! Bargaining is the rule so it was fun to haggle to see which of us got the best bargains. When a sale is made, you sit down to a hot or cold drink and visit while the owner finishes the packaging and final tally. So civilized!

Spice bins via Author

I especially loved the aromas from the spice bins and the call to prayer in the afternoon while sitting under the bougainvillea canopy in the center of the market eating ice cream and resting in the afternoon breezes. Heaven!

Under the bougainvillea via Author

Turkish ice cream selection via Author

We had more beach time, eating local dishes prepared at home by our host's companion, late nights and even later morning wake ups until Sunday when we went to the Turkish Delight factory and the local market.

Turkish Delight via Author

Sunday Market via Author

This area of Turkey must be the bread basket of their country. The fresh produce was amazing, cherries, apricots, melons and greens were spread out for acres! They eat very healthy and fresh, as I would like to do myself on a daily basis. (Note to self). The shopping of locally made items was vast and the supplies brought in for purchase were never ending.

Do you think they're knockoffs? via Author

We went up and down the aisles and warrens until we got to the pancake stand to sit and eat a lemon and sugar one with a cup of tea.

Yummy pancakes via Author

Restored we pushed on and I found a stall of Pashminas of all types. I scored two cashmere beauties for about $25.00. Happy camper!

Haul from the market via Author

More beach time and a Turkish bath afterward (wonderful after a day at the beach) until it was time to leave on Monday night and we made our way back to England for a day of rest.

Our plane at Dalaman Airport via Author

We luxuriated in bed, brown, satiated with tons of calories on our hips and cool weather to tone down the over exposure to heat. Then off to Heathrow for the trip home. What a vacation to remember, exotic, new sights, tons of shopping and beach time and an invitation to return next year. If he's good, maybe I will return with hubby in tow!