Güzelçamlı means “beautiful pine trees” in Turkish and the town is indeed surrounded by numerous pine trees and it is an unspoiled resort with natural bays and crystal clean beaches, with the Greek island of Samos just across the bay.
I was a little worried when just before we came away, I found our booking in Güzelçamlı was cancelled because the hotel had closed down. Fortunately I found the Emel Pension where we have been given a warm welcome by Metin and Evelyn. They have a lovely home right beside the mountain, a short walk from the sea and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The view is amazing, especially with the jacaranda in bloom.
So our last week has been one of slow starts and leisurely breakfasts on the terrace followed by a bit of a walk and then afternoons on the beach with a swim and a good book. The days have been warm and sunny with a breeze and some light cloud and highs of around 30°.
The highlight was a trip on their boat Afrodite along the coast beside Dilek National Park.
We stopped several times to swim in secluded bays and had a delicious lunch on board before making our way back.
The day was very still and accordingly to Evelyn, perfect dolphin weather so we kept watch … and were lucky! A huge group of dolphins came and swam with the boat and looked like they were enjoying the show as much as us!
Our walks took us along the sheep trail behind the garden, to find Zeus’ cave, where we could have swum in the pool of eternal youth … maybe tomorrow!
… towards the mountain through olive trees with birdsong and the distant sound of the muezzin in the air …
… above the town with a view of mountain and sea …
… and round the weekly market where we couldn’t resist cherries and apricots for lunch and a bag of walnuts to bring home.
We also took a dolmus into Dilek National Park and went to explore. The beaches were busy on a Sunday and we took a short path to the final beach …
… but rather than swim here, decided to return to our favourite bit of beach near the pension for the comfort of a padded sun lounger and a sea that changed daily.
Most of the beaches are a bit gritty, if not downright stoney, so we were glad of our stylish new beaches shoes!
Chris decided to cultivate some stubble for a couple of days so he could go and have an traditional Turkish shave. The reality didn’t quite live up to expectation, but the charge was only 20 Turkish Lira – £4! Chris said he is sticking to his Gillette Fusion blade from now on!
There were other places to see like Lake Bafa or the antique cities of Priene, Didyma, and Miletus but we felt we had seen enough this trip and were just happy to soak up the sun and relax as soon it will be time to head home … maybe next time!
Evenings have been spent round a communal table with the other guests eating lovely home cooked dinners and chatting about life, travel and what to do tomorrow.
The meal finished with a Turkish coffee, and were shown how to swish and read the grounds, just like with tealeaves, but the best I could see was a pair of trousers …!
Our stay here has been a perfectly relaxing end to our Turkish Delight … which was just that … a delight!
Tomorrow we return home … until the next time we go travelling together.
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