Olu Deniz and Saklikent Gorge

Olu Deniz
photo courtesy of Mike and Ruby
(2 Canadians on Bikes) who kayaked and hiked to the top of
the hill to get this in 2006

It’s still very hot in this part of Turkey. We have been seeing 40 - 42C everyday. Our drive from Bodrum back down thru Fethiye to Olu Deniz had taken a different route. People we met in Bergama had recommended a place in Faralya, a small village outside Fethiye and Olu Deniz, and a place, the Onur Motel. So we headed in that direction. We past thru Olu Deniz, a very laid back beach town west and south of Fethiye and began to climb, and climb and climb. Finally we arrived at 1000Mtrs. On a road that would narrow to 1 lane due to cave ins, and absolutely blind corners, and no guard rails. Once there we found the Onur motel, a beautiful small place with about 8 cabins a pool and an outside dining room, and I noticed towels hanging from the railings of each and every cabin. Not a good sign. They confirmed that indeed they were full but to come back after the 17 July and they’d have a room for us. They were very helpful in trying to find other accommodation in the village but nothing that we’d be happy with, so we began to be concerned. Their explanation for how busy they were was that all Turks are on holidays now since Ramadan occurs in August and they won’t enjoy a holiday during Ramadan. Makes sense.

Villa Beldeniz pool

We head back to Olu Deniz and by this time it’s 3:00 pm and 42 C. After 1 strike out we try the Villa Beldeniz hotel  and they have a room. Excellent, just off from the pool, a large 2 bedroom room, with breakfast, fridge etc. and with our exchange being as favorable as it is for Canadians $69 a night.  After checking in showering and a dip in the pool we wander about town and realize that we were glad they didn't have a cabin in Faralya. This place is very close to paradise. Attached is a picture that Mike and Ruby took of the beach view. We couldn't get to the location in the heat that they did on their 2006 trip, so credit goes to them for the great picture. We have stayed 2 nights. Last night we ate out at the Cloud 9 restaurant. It lived up to its name. Right on the beach, with a beautiful sunset, white linen tablecloths, roses on the table, professional waiters, excellent presentation of food and get this for $10 Canadian each, and delicious food. Our waiter got a big tip for his service with us. Truly remarkable.

What a great time

Today we decided to skip the Lycian tombs here since it was so hot and go straight to Saklikent gorge a Maligne Canyon/Johnstone Canyon type of location but with a Turkish twist. You see in Turkey they let you get access to everything, so instead of walking a walkway and viewing from a railing you can actually wade thru the water, walk up the canyon base to the headwaters etc, all in your bathing suit, for the equivalent of $2.50 Canadian. Sandra wore her bathing suit under her riding gear since it was a 60 km drive one way with crazy Turkish drivers trying to run you off the road. Neither of us wore our sandals which would have simplified things but it didn’t matter we walked the total gorge and came back and everything dried out including runners in about 20 mins. It was so hot and sunny.

Everyone was in on it by the time we got back

Really neat scenery 

Very intimate and spectacular. Honest I took this.

And at the end you can dine by the riverside and swim at the same time

Here are the pictures of this spectacular place. If you ever get a chance to come to Turkey you have to come to Olu Deniz, it will be your paradise, and to Saklikent gorge, a truly beautiful nature place that you can completely interact with. We had a blast.