Our home for the next two nights was a 5* hotel on a clifftop on the outskirts of the coastal resort of Kuşadasi, a favourite stop for cruise ships. It's also Göksel's home town and I think mostly he takes cruise passengers on day trips, so a 14 day tour is unusual for him and I'm not entirely sure he enjoys being with the same group for so long as he distances himself whenever possible.
We arrived about 1600 but knowing we were heading to a "dry" hotel next, we thought it would be a good opportunity to try and stock up on more wine. Without internet on my phone (£6 per day as Turkey isn't in EU) I have to rely on looking up places before we leave the hotel and taking screen shots of directions. Luckily Ian was able to get a little map from reception and we also learned there was a bus every 10 mins to and from town. We decided to walk into town, find the largest Migros supermarket we could and then catch the bus back as our bodies were still aching badly from the excessive walking on day 1.
The walk down was fairly steep but what we didn't realise was that the area we were heading for was away from the sea and up a very steep hill. It was considerably further that the 25 mins my phone had estimated (mmmm maybe that was by car?) but having started we egged each other on to continue and eventually, puffing and panting, we reached the supermarket. Joy of joys, it had the same Chilean Sauvignon we'd bought before and at the same price. With our goodies loaded into the camera backpack, which we took in turns to carry, we headed back down to try and find the bus stop. We realised the buses we're just small minivans and also that there was a one way system but what we couldn't work out was what a bus stop looked like and although we asked several people, no one could help. To cut a long story short we eventually went into a restaurant at the bottom of our road and asked - it stopped right outside (still no obvious signage). But by then we weren't too far from the hotel so set off walking, having forgotten how steep the hill was. Never mind we managed it, got a few more aches and pains but we're stocked up for the next few days.
The view from our balcony. I've no doubt that VJV didn't pay top £££ for the rooms so I think it's nice of the hotel to give us one with such a lovely view. It certainly makes a change from the dustbins and brick walls we normally overlook.
It was getting dark by now but you can just see a cruise ship in the distance, almost ready to depart.
This piece of land jutting out is known as Pigeon Island, there is a castle and beautiful views looking back to the city. Hopefully we'll get a chance to visit as we have a free afternoon tomorrow.
The pool looks very inviting but I bet it's freezing.
We had the luxury of a late start this morning which was very welcome. I think VJV have taken note of previous reviews which said the tour was just too full on and so have built in a leisurely morning and a free afternoon.
We’re visiting an olive farm which is only about 15 mins drive from our hotel. The old entrance door was magnificent so I got Ian to move various large cardboard advertising boards and close it for me.
We then had the production of olive oil through the ages explained to us - in great detail. The museum was extensive and beautifully put together but quite frankly it wasn't that interesting and the basic methods didn't appear to differ much over many 1,000s of years, although of course the technology did. I got a wee bit bored and so wandered around outside until I realised I was being bitten to death by midges.
There were some fabulous photographs on display though.
And pots.
Some of the displays were a little basic but this one was rather realistic I thought, in fact I did a double take when I first saw the man as he looked very human.
Actually I think they need not have bothered with our visit here this morning as it really wasn't of much interest, perhaps it would be different at harvest time.
I was interested though in a line of trees by the entrance which from the fruits I could correctly identify as being Magnolia sp.
We were then taken for a walk across the fields to look at the various herbs that were grown, presumably to flavour the oil, but given that it was early November all the plants had gone over. I did notice this plant which I didn't recognise but thought it looked rather cucumber-like.
It's Ecballium elaterium and it made Sir David Attenborough roar with laughter.
Its common names of Squirting or Exploding Cucumber are certainly very apt. After we trudged back to the farmhouse, it was time for a coffee break before walking around the mini zoo the owner's wife had apparently acquired. Access was via a very wobbly rope bridge with a max load of 5 persons at any one time.
Not being used to seeing animals in cages, it was rather a pitiful place; just a couple of camels, a few ponies, some fowl.
And Angora goats with wonderful coats and horns.
We got the impression the zoo was just to keep wifey occupied as it certainly wasn't for the animals benefit.
We then drove back to the main area of Kuşadasi where several of us got dropped off to wander around and make our own way back to the hotel. Pigeon Island again.
From various comments Göksel made whilst we were in Istanbul we got the impression we wouldn't have many opportunities to buy any gifts to take home and so as this was a particularly touristy place we had a good walk around the bazaar area.
This rug was absolutely beautiful but we didn't dare ask the price just in case we were tempted.
Ian bought two fake designer golf shirts and we picked up a couple of bits of ceramic and then it was time for lunch. We found a really nice little café with a very helpful waitress and had an nice meal washed down with a glass of beer.
Walking around again I just had to take a picture of these knickers - I wonder if these are what the ladies wear under their burkas.
Down by the waterfront again we contemplated vising Pigeon Island and its castle but quite frankly we were too tired and now weighed down with shopping too.
So we set about finding the No.1 bus stop and boy was it difficult because of the one way system. We saw a bus going in the opposite direction and then found a bus stop so waited patiently for a while. Then I asked a lady who said no we were in the wrong place, so off we set again. This time we were correct and before long the little minibus arrived, we bundled in, paid the driver about 40p each and off we went. The bus stopped right outside our hotel and the trip only took about 15 mins yet when we'd arrived yesterday Göksel had made no mention of the bus, just that a taxi would cost about £15 - why do guides think everyone is made of money?
Back at the hotel we had a wander around the vast complex. There is a lift to take you down to the water's edge where there are sunbeds and parasols plus various water based activities, but no beach as such.
A quick play with my newer camera - quite pleased with the eye focus.
Time now to sit on our little balcony and watch the sunset, whilst sipping a glass of our deliciously cold wine (thanks to the in-room fridge).