#17 Turkey

Oct 11

Turkey is one of the most fascinating and impressive countries in the world. Its cultural heritage, historic charm, cool breezes, sunny skies, warm turquoise waters, abandoned ports, and peaceful bays are just a little bit of what you’ll encounter as you sail the coasts of Turkey. Turkey is unique in that it is surrounded by an environmentally protected area. It is an example of Mother Nature’s finest qualities. Among the natural beauty, you will also be dazzled by its rich history and abundant wildlife. Once an old fishing village (the name Dalyan translates to ‘fish trap’) this piece of paradise is a place where visitors come to take in nature’s finest.

Below are some of the highlights of this sailing trip:

Exploring Kaunos Antik Kenti
- The Ancient City of Kaunos was founded by Caunos in the 10th century BC and was once one of the most important port cities of the commercial region in the Ancient Age.
  Take the stairs up to the top for some mind-blowing views of the coast and surrounds, and trust us, you won’t regret the hike. You have the opportunity to wander around for hours you can feel your back in time. You see stunning views of ancient theatres, old temples, and fountains. Beyond every turn of each pathway, there was something ancient to explore and stay at because of its raw beauty. The Kaunos site has many unique features and centuries of history, making it well worth visiting.
Boat trip to Caunos Tombs of the Kings
- Sailing past the eye-catching ancient king’s tombs of Kaunos, I couldn’t believe what I saw. The rugged rock faces make a dramatic backdrop against the vibrant greens of the olive and fruit trees. We enjoyed the ride along the Dalyan river to the stunning nature, is an unforgettable experience. They are visible from the waterfront so taking a water taxi will give you the best views of these incredible pieces of history.
  The Lycians believed that if they placed the king’s tombs on the highest peak they would be closer to God and the souls would be transported from the tombs to the afterlife quicker. This group of six tombs dates back to the 4th century BC.
  The largest tomb was not completed due to the invasion of Alexander the Great. They are certainly jaw-dropping with their intricate chambers and their towering columns.
Paragliding in Fethiye
- But why you may ask? Paragliding in Fethiye is world famous. This location in Turkey is recognized by professionals, hobbyists and non-flyers as being among the most epic paragliding destinations!
  - After a short ride to Ölüdeniz, we signed some waivers and jumped back into the van with our paragliding pilots. This is when s*** gets real. As the van winds up Babadag Mountain, you start becoming very aware that you’re about to jump 6,650 feet (1,965 meters) off a mountain… whose idea was this again?
    When you are at the launch pad, the set-up starts to happen in no time at all. The parachute is laid out, you’re strapped in your little seat (with all the appropriate safety checks), and you start to see the other people in your group running towards the edge and paragliding away into the horizon. Then it’s your turn. It’s all systems go within about 15 minutes – no time to text mom to tell her you love her.
    After a short “walk, walk, walk…Run! Run! Run!” instruction, you quickly find yourself soaring about a mile above sea level. Everything happens so fast that you barely have time to get nervous.
    Once in the air the most unforgettable views quickly turn your tension into amazement. The mountains and the beautiful turquoise water below make you incredibly grateful for being able to live this bucket-list experience of paragliding over one of the most beautiful spots in all of the Mediterranean.
Dance party at the top of Bozukkale Koyu
- On a remote stretch of coastline on the southern tip of the Bozburun peninsula lies the remains of an ancient citadel referred to as Bozukkale – which is Turkish for "broken castle". Bozukkale is also a popular yachting anchorage known for its peaceful, sheltered harbour. What happens when everyone on the sailboat finds out there once was a castle at the top of the hill? We drag our soundbox to the top and start a dance party. This wasn’t your average dance party though, we were all in our best costumes and didn’t bring any worries with us. We danced until the sun went down and invited anyone else who made it to the top to join us.
  
  That was our feeling of freedom. The feeling of freedom can be described in a variety of ways. It can be best described as a fullness of being, a fullness of life, a blossoming or flowering of our being, and experiencing a feeling of expansion moving toward an experience of, if not into, the infinity of our being.
  
  It can also be from the happiness of dancing….