A long day out to Olympos, in a good pair of shoes.

Bekir collects us from the hotel after breakfast and we set off down the coast towards Kas. Travelling along the winding coast road we pass Kaputas beach and all the islands lying just off shore, every turn a new beautiful view.
At Kas we take the mountain road and look back over a superb panorama of the town itself. Travelling over the mountain we see the wide expanse of the stunning Turkish countryside, and Bekir suggests a stop at Myra for a drink. Dropping down again towards the coast we pass through a wide expanse of greenhouses. We drive along a dusty road, passed the many greenhouses and arrive at Myra early before to many tourist coaches have arrived. After a sit down and a drink we set off through the many stalls to see the ruins of the amphitheatre and the many Lycian tombs. When we think of the age of these remains we marvel how sharp are the carvings on the stones. Then we take it in turns to sit on the theatre seats and others to stand where the stage was and are surprised by the quality of the acoustics.
A quick check of the guidebook tells us how close we are to Demre the possible birthplace of Father Christmas. Back in the taxi, Bekir drives us across to visit the Church of St Nicholas. We discover the story of why he became the patron saint of children and why we he comes down the chimney to leave xmas presents. Also we see many tourists from Russia who are visiting the church of their patron saint also.

Next we head off out of town again along the coast road and yet more beautiful views. Then we turn of the road into what looks like a car park with a sign 11 km to Olympos, we all think this sounds like a long walk! But out of the back of the car park a small road heads off down the hill, winding down through the trees. We are suddenly in another world with the many wooden houses amongst the trees, apparently a favourite spot for Australian and NZ tourists to Turkey. Here we stop for lunch of freshly made pancakes sat in an otterman. After lunch we drive down to the Olympos site, but do we have time to see the lake and the ruins and to see the Chimarea. We decide not so we leave the Olmpos site for another day and head off to see the fires on the mountain, just a couple of km away. But that is by foot, by road Bekir has to retrace the road back up the hill to the main road and then 50m along and turn off back down the hill. We stop in the car park and then, in our good shoes, we head off up the mountain over dirt and rocky steps. It’s a steady climb requiring a few stops along the way, but at the end it is worth it to see the natural fires burning out of the mountain side. Back down the mountain and a sit down and a drink, then off on the long journey back to Kalkan. As we travel along the coast we break the journey for a cup of Cay sat by the boats in the town of Finike. Then on along the coast watching the sunset and back to our hotel.

Why we choose Bekir for our trips around the Kalkan area.

We met Bekir several years ago now when we called for a taxi to take us from our hotel up to the new bus station. We were planning a day trip to Kas. As we had missed the bus Bekir suggested we went with him instead and as we were a taxi full it was almost the same price. After this first trip we realized this was the best way to get about in a small group. With Bekir and his taxi we had the freedom to go wherever we liked and to stay as long or as shorter a time as we wanted, not dictated by bus timetables or tour organisers. Additionally we had the benefit of his local knowledge and his ability to suggest places to see and stops that we might not otherwise have found. This way we have had the opportunity to come that little bit closer to the people of Turkey and to appreciate their warm and generous nature. A day out with Bekir and his calm, steady driving, perhaps not always a Turkish virtue, is always a pleasure.

A quick trip up the mountain, then fish for lunch.

A short trip up the mountain road brings you to Bezigan, so near to Kalkan but such a contrast. The village, where farmers tend their crops and look after their goats, is set on a plain that partly floods in winter. You can see the old buildings of stone with timber reinforcement against earthquakes. Also there are the storage huts for the village and large boulders strewn around the fields, perhaps put there by ancient gods!
Then travel across to the village of Islamlar. This village is set on the mountain side where springs feed gushing mountain streams, which are used to fill the tanks of the many fish farms here. You can take lunch at one of several fish restaurants, we like the one at the top, very simple and rustic and used by the locals. Choose your trout grilled or fried in olive oil, with salads, chips, fried cheese and don’t forget the chillis! Enjoy your lunch sitting out on the balcony looking back over the bay and the islands.

Tuesday is the day for a trip to Fethiye and the market.

About an hour away from Klakan lies Fethiye and its Tuesday market. After the scenic journey through the Turkish countryside, arrive beside the sea and stop for a drink at one of the seaside bars, throw some bread into the water and watch it ‘boil’ with fish. Have a look to the pelicans or simple have a stroll and look at the many boats.
Then cross the road and into the large tented market that spreads out alongside the river back towards the town. Cloths; food; hardware; all the things you find at a Turkish market. In the centre of the market is a large area with many cafés serving pancakes, but it’s busy at lunchtime, especially when the children are at school. Another alternative for lunch is to go to the fish market, about 5 minutes walk from the main market, just ask for directions, everyone knows where it is. There you can buy fresh fish from the stalls in the middle then go to one of the restaurants around the edge where they will cook you fish and serve it with salad and bread for a few lira.
When you are with Bekir in the taxi, you are designing your own trip, so on the way back, it you are not too tired, why not visit near by Ölüdeniz, or stop at one of several sites which are just off the main road.

We set off along the winding coast road we pass Kaputas beach and all the islands lying just off shore, every turn a new beautiful view. At Kas we take the mountain road and look back over a superb panorama of the town itself.
Bekir suggests a stop at Myra for a drink. Dropping down again towards the coast we pass through a wide expanse of greenhouses, along a dusty road and arrive at Myra early before to many tourist coaches have arrived.
We set off through the many stalls to see the ruins of the amphitheatre and the many Lycian tombs. We marvel how sharp are the carvings on the stones and are surprised by the quality of the theatre acoustics.
A quick check of the guidebook tells us how close we are to Demre the possible birthplace of Father Christmas. Back in the taxi, Bekir drives us across to visit the Church of St Nicholas. We discover the story of why he became the patron saint of children and why we he comes down the chimney to leave xmas presents.
Off again along the coast road and then we turn of the road into what looks like a car park with a sign 11 km to Olympos, we all think this sounds like a long walk! But out of the back of the car park a small road heads off down the hill, winding down through the trees. We are suddenly in another world with the many wooden houses amongst the trees.

Here we stop for lunch of freshly made pancakes sat in an otterman. After lunch we drive down to the Olympos site, but we do not have time to see the lake, the ruins and the Chimarea. We decide to leave the Olmpos site for another day and head off to see the fires on the mountain, just a couple of km away. But that is by foot, by road Bekir has to retrace the road back up the hill to the main road and then 50m along and turn off back down the hill. We stop in the car park and then, in our good shoes, we head off up the mountain over dirt and rocky steps. It’s a stead climb requiring a few stops along the way, but at the end it is worth it to see the natural fires burning out of the mountain side. Back down the mountain and a sit down and a drink, then off on the long journey back to Kalkan. As we travel along the coast we break the journey for a cup of Cay sat by the boats in the town of Finike. Then on along the coast watching the sunset and back to our hotel.