October break in Turkey
I promised you some holiday highlights. Here they are! Aren't the colours fabulous? We stayed in a lovely apartment in Calis Beach near Fethyie in Southern Turkey. The apartment is my auntie's and she rents it out in case you fancy a visit (just let me know). It is a lovely place with a swimming pool and it is about 200 metres to the beach if that's more your thing. A small bus stops right outside if you feel like exploring the surrounding towns.
We had a great time. When I say we, I mean Richard, myself, the little boys. Annie was a bit bored sometimes but also had some really good moments. I am not sure about Sam. He didn't complain but also didn't enthusiastically participate. The WiFi was s**t he said (it worked fine for me). Previously a water lover, he didn't once cool off in the pool. I am sure next year Sam will choose to stay behind. Sad but I guess this is life. We suggested to Annie she bring a friend along next time we go away, an idea she liked very much.
We didn't really do much, just relaxed, enjoyed the heartwarming Turkish hospitality, went for short walks, enjoyed meals, visited a market and rented a boat one day to explore the coastline. This was the highlight for us all I think. It was also really lovely to spend time with my auntie, cousin and the Swiss contingent of nephews and niece. James and Alistair really loved spending time with the cousins and the language barrier didn't really matter at all.
My personal highlights:
:: Floating in the sea and listening to the sounds underwater whilst a gentle breeze stroked my toes.
:: Waking up to a sunny morning every day.
:: Quenching my thirst with ayran (a Turkish yogurt drink I love love love)
:: Hearing the cicadas at night.
:: Watching the full moon crossing the sky from my bedroom balcony
:: Visiting local eateries a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the holiday resort and encouraging the kids to try new foods (with mixed success). Richard enjoyed fried sheep intestines and sheep head. I didn't.
:: Visiting the food market and choosing quinces to take home (to make up for the lost quince tree)
:: Watching James and Alistair having a ball in the pool
:: Going shopping with my auntie. I particularly liked the haberdashery shop, it was like a big walk-in treasure chest!
I dare say we'll go back one day. In the meantime, we'll enjoy the beauty of Scotland. There is plenty to explore still here. xx
Must have been so good to have the warmth again. Lovely photos. I bet that trip in the boat was wonderful. I dare say next year everyone will want to go with you. They all change so much, so that this years grumps will be a distant memory next year. Hope it's not too cold back home. B xx
ReplyDeleteThis looks so beautiful, I wish!!
ReplyDeleteSounds idyllic and a beautiful mix of things to do. I love the sound of the haberdashery but not so keen on the sheep's head. The boat tour looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs! I can't believe the detail of the moon photograph, it is astonishing! It is hard when children get to the teenage years, Jacob may or may not come with us next year, being 17, it's perhaps not cool to be on holiday with your mum and dad. Sheeps head sounds very difficult to eat ! X
ReplyDeleteIt sounds absolutely wonderful, with the exception of the sheep-eating. I particularly like the sound of the haberdashery. Any little purchases? Glad you had such a lovely break. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. When our daughter was a teenager we generally took a friend of hers with us on vacation.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds really wonderful. I've never been to Turkey but I would love to see it someday. I'm glad the kids mostly seemed to have fun, it must be a little harder to entertain them when they get older. How nice that your family has the apartment to use, it must be a lot of fun for everybody. Thanks for sharing your break!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a beautiful time! When we visited Disney World my youngest teen son was memorably stoic during the trip, but when we got home I was astonished to hear him chat with a friend on the phone about all the fun he had! Thanks for letting us see some of what you saw, Christina. xx
ReplyDeleteIt sounds blissful. It's a teenagers job to be bored with everything his parents like but he'll still have good memories I'm sure x
ReplyDeleteIt sounds perfect Christina. You're making me wish we were going to sunny and warm Southern Europe instead of Cornwall at the end of this week. I was a very bad mum and deliberately chose (and still choose) holiday cottages with no Internet or TV or gadgets, although I remember my teenagers disappearing off over the headland (there's always a good signal on coastal paths) to get online. It must be a nightmare with teenagers nowadays - wherever you go everyone is just staring into their phones.
ReplyDeleteHey Christina,
ReplyDeleteI love the look and sound of your holiday. I would dearly love to relax by a pool right now. My Sam stopped coming away with us by the time he was sixteen. Alf will be nearly sixteen next summer, and I suspect he'll not want to join us on any camping trips. I guess it's the way. I have been reading loads crime books by Peter May, set in the Hebrides. I sooooo want to visit Scotland. Like you say, so much still to explore on our own doorstep.
Leanne xx
How lovely to have some warmth and sunshine just before winter arrives. Beautiful photographs - I'm very envious. We're not going anywhere this half term as I have a different week off to my daughter now she's at a new school and just like your Sam she isn't that keen on holidays with us either!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have some warmth and sunshine just before winter arrives. Beautiful photographs - I'm very envious. We're not going anywhere this half term as I have a different week off to my daughter now she's at a new school and just like your Sam she isn't that keen on holidays with us either!
ReplyDeleteOh, that moon! Gorgeous photos as usual, and I'm glad you had a good time. Our eldest still wants to come away with us at the moment (she's 18) so we're making the most of it while we can! xx
ReplyDeleteIt all looks and sounds fab (apart from the sheep body parts). I always love to visit markets when I'm away. And browse the shelves in local supermarkets. Hope your builders are cracking on apace.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds perfect, minus a little teenage angst that is. I want to jump on a plane and travel there right this minute.
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely - those colours are lovely and what a great set of photos!
ReplyDeleteThat looks lovely, I'm glad you had a good time. The children do get to that age where all the lovely experiences we give them are met with boredom but they do come out of it. My oldest seems to have turned a corner and now wants to chat with us more. I loved the apple tea when we visited many years ago. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful sunny photos! I'm so glad you had a good time and such nice weather. I was still going on holiday with my parents until my early twenties (although bringing friends/boyfriends too by that point) so you might have a few more years with Sam. I've never been to Turkey but you've made is look and sound very appealing. Also - that shot of the moon is amazing. x
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