I realized it’s been 2 weeks since my last blog! YIKES!! Maybe my absence with my writing is PTD (Post Trip Depression) or RWE (Real World Excitement). I’ll claim the positive, RWE.

Ok, one last entry for Turkey then you get all things America!

We planned Pamukkale to be our last stop before flying back to The States via Istanbul. After touring Pamukkale National Park the 2nd day, we revised our plans. Blake and I realized we were only a 4-5 hour bus rude from the
Mediterranean Coast so we purchased bus tickets departing the next morning.

The bus ride from Pamukkale to Oludeniz was just as spectacular as the ride from Istanbul to Pamukkale. A comfortable ride with a rest stop half way through. The best part, though, was the scenic views! The ride took us through the foothills and over a mountain pass to the city of Fethiye. From Fethiye we caught a shuttle bus to the small resort town, Oludeniz. Fortunate for us, we arrived pretty much on the opening weekend – meaning very few people and better prices for hotels; actually half of the hotels and restaurants weren’t even open yet.

Blake and I were shocked at how beautiful the water was! It was crystal clear and turquoise – like I’ve never seen before! In contrast to every other beach we had visited, this beach was not sand, but rocks. Initially a turnoff, we quickly realized it was great for sunbathing as we (and our belongings) didn’t end up covered in sand.

We also learned that Oludeniz is the spot to go paragliding. At one specific time we counted 27 paragliders in the sky!

The last day we spent in Oludeniz before catching the overnight bus ride back to Istanbul we decided to go on a boat tour on the Volkan 4. For about $13 a piece we toured through the Mediterranean waters, stopping at 5 different locations: The Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, Camel Beach, Cold Water Spring, & St. Nicholas Island. The boat departed at 10:45 am and returned at 5:30 pm. The trip also included lunch on the boat.

The first stop was The Blue Cave. With a slight hesitation from everyone on board someone finally jumped into the icy cold waters. Soon enough everyone was in and swimming into the cave. The initial shock of the temperature soon subsided and amazement took over. We were swimming in the Mediterranean!! Sure the waters would be warmer and more enjoyable in July or August, but we were having a blast!

One of my favorite stops was the Cold Water Spring. The rumor is if you sit in the small cove, where the water is substantially colder than the rest of the water, for 5 minutes you will add 5 years to your life. I was not passing this up. I jumped in, again shocking my system with the cold water temps, and swam to the small cove partially surrounded by rocks and shrubs. Swimming into it I could literally feel the water get cooler (I didn’t even think it was possible, but it was), sat for about 5 minutes, then headed back to the boat to warm up with a cup of tea.

Oludeniz was the perfect way to wrap up THE Trip. Fun in the sun, drinks on the beach, and with no better travel partner than the person I love.