Martensville Messenger January 5, 2017 | Page 10

Page 10 - JanUarY 5 , 2017 - martensville messenger

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Where in the World ? Blue Cruising in Turkey

Submitted by Dean Johnston

Everything about travel is relative . Sunny beach vacations in Mexico seem that much more amazing when you arrive abruptly out of a frigid Canadian winter . Breathtaking mountain vistas are that much more enthralling when held up against a lifetime spent on the beautiful but bleak Prairies . The variety of wildlife we take for granted can blow the mind of visitors who ’ ve spent their whole life in the city . All of which kind of explains why Turkey held us in rapture from the first moment we arrived , coming as it did hard on the heels of more than two months spent amid the striking but stark landscapes of the Middle East . Flat dusty roads , rocky featureless horizons , the occasional low sandy dune , uniformly grey and wind-blasted buildings – all compelling at first but fading in allure over time . Then we crossed the border from Syria into eastern Turkey and it was like a light was switched on . The rolling green hills , the riotously-coloured flowers , the rocky cliffs dropping straight down into the intense blue Mediterranean Sea all felt that much more lush and vivid because of where we ’ d just been .

Turkey is a much larger country than most realize , with unbelievable variety from the snow-covered mountains of the east to the rustic Black Sea villages of the north to the bizarre melting pot of Istanbul . They have some of the world ’ s oldest ruins at Ephesus and most strangely phallic phenomena in the bizarrely rock formations of Cappadocia . But for most , including us , the best of Turkey revolves around the stunning southern beaches and coastline .

Activities are as diverse as hiking the incredible 500-kilometre Lycian Way to lounging by the beach drinking raki and gorging on doner kebabs , heavy cheese and super-sweet baklava . We gladly tried our hand at both of those things , and many in between , but the most memorable part of our visit was the four days and three nights we spent aboard the Miriam Sophie on an amazing “ Blue Cruise ”.

These popular trips allow you to enjoy the exotic splendour of the gorgeous Mediterranean coast in a “ gulet ”, as the large live-aboard boats are called - swimming in calm blue waters , soaking in the views and generally just lazing around like a degenerate bum . They are very cheap , as far as cruises go , and offer a wide variety of options with regard to length , itinerary and comfort . Our excellent crew efficiently ferried us from one stunning location to another to swim , hike or simply wander , always followed by yet another meal professionally prepared in a style fit for , if not a king , then at least someone more important than me .

In between excursions most of our time was spent appreciating the view , sleeping , reading or , occasionally , falling asleep while reading . In just four days I managed to get caught up on a year and a half backlog of Wilbur Smith novels about accidental pirates torn between wrong and right . Hint : pillaging is wrong .

Among the highlights were the spectacular looming cliffs and beautiful rocky beach of Butterfly Valley , the quiet village of Kaleköy with its imposing hilltop castle , and any of the picturesque secluded bays where we stopped to swim and snorkel . The famous “ Sunken City of Kekova ” is located in a pretty little arc of green water but was ultimately a little disappointing since swimming is no longer allowed in the vicinity and the ancient sunken city had long ago , you know , sunk . Most Blue Cruises run from April to October , depart from either Fethiye or Antalya , and stick to the most scenic areas of the southern coast . So , if you ’ ve always wanted to spend several days seriously relaxing while remaining continually damp , well , a Blue Cruise just may be for you .

Five Things 1 . Turtles look pretty grouchy at the best of times and having a very old pile of dog feces on their shell doesn ’ t seem to help . 2 . At Kizkalezi there is a castle sitting about 200 metres off the beach in the middle of the sea , which I ’ d imagine is a real bummer for wakeboarders . 3 . Istanbul or Constantinople , that is the question . The answer , though , is Istanbul . 4 . If you are a taxi-driver trying to cross the Syrian-Turkish border with a trunk full of unlabelled wine in plastic bags the customs official may , for some reason , steal your tin-snips right off your dashboard . 5 . Cappadocia ’ s Valley of Love contains hundreds of giant stone penises , yet not a single Michael Bublé CD .

Dean Johnston is the author of ‘ Random Acts of Travel : Featuring Trepidation , Hammocks and Spitting and Behind the Albergue Door : Inspiration Agony Adventure on the Camino de Santiago ’. He has never playfully pinched the arm of anyone in a Royal family . If he had , though , he would have written about it at routinelynomadic . com .

ABOVE : Kizkalezi BELOW : Mediterranean Coast

Melissa Kennon

Melanie started with us in December 2012 . If you know Melanie , congratulate her . Enjoy your steak ! Trent & Tanya ( 306 ) 955-9791 www . smokehaus . ca