Tag Archives: Aegean Sea

Bodrum: Relaxation and Retail Therapy

We slept in late after a long day of travel and enjoying the pier for a swim and some sunbathing.  It was looking as though we would have another perfect day to spend on the water at our resort home in Bodrum.  We ate a hearty breakfast and then strolled the ten minute walk where we found some chairs and umbrellas to protect us from the hot sun.

We set out our belongings and carefully eased into the water from the ladder on the pier.  We floated, swam and failed to improve our artistic swimming skills, though we did try.  We took to the Aegean Sea which was crystal clear.  Some of us snorkeled, while others went back to sunbathing.  We couldn’t seem to stay out of the water for long and eventually worked up an appetite.

We had lunch at the outdoor restaurant and decided to take a walk through the maze of streets within the community.  Houses of brick and stone were built along steep cliffs with gardens of tropical flowers as well as petunias in flower boxes and hanging baskets.

What I found most intriguing as we passed each of the homes was that they were decorated with a symbol that resembled an eye.  I had first seen it in Istanbul on key chains and jewelry, but hadn’t taken much notice until it began appearing on street number signs and embedded in walkways and doorframes.

The Nazar Boncuk, or “Evil Eye”, is said to protect a person from an evil glare.  The superstition dates back to the ancient Greeks who believed that receiving the malevolent stare would cause injury or misfortune.  Since the look could take place even when the innocent person is unaware, there was a need to protect oneself from this supernatural force.  The Nazar Boncuk reflects off the bad energy back onto the person who is inflicting the negativity towards another.  This symbol is often hung throughout homes, offices and cars in the form of jewelry or ornaments.

We returned back to the house to take a car into the casual town of Bodrum.  We started out strolling the streets, looking at menus along the way in search of seafood.  In Turkey, most families will dine late at night for their final meal of the day, even as late as 10PM.  Since we had plenty of time to explore the town, we got lost along the bustling maze.  Beautiful homes hung to the cliffs, many whitewashed with clay-tiled roofs and accented with colorful bougainvillea.

After dining at Onikon Beach and Restaurant, we decided to shop for clothes and souvenirs.  The shopping district was full of unique gifts and familiar boutiques.  From inexpensive Turkish lanterns to luxurious carpets and towels, there were so many great products to purchase.  I had such a difficult time choosing which items to buy, so I selected several:  Turkish Delight, ceramic bowls, Evil Eye pendants and Raki.

With our hands full and wallets growing smaller, we were ready to head back home for a quick dip in the pool and another day to explore Bodrum.

Have you visited Bodrum, Turkey along the coast?  I would love to hear about the places you visited, restaurants where you dined and shops that you absolutely loved if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my amazing adventure in Bodrum and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Explore the seaside shopping area of Bodrum

Where to Stay:

METT Hotels and Beach Resorts, Bodrum
Heramton Cove, Eskicesme Mahallesi
Haramton Sokak, Degirmenler Mevkii
48400 Bodrum City/Mugla, Turkey
Telephone:  +90 252 316 48 48

Where to Eat:

Onikon Beach and Restaurant
Menemene Yall, Mevkii No 57/A
Turkbuku/Bodrum, Golturkbuku
48400 Turkey

What to Eat:

  • Fruit:  pomegranates, figs, peaches
  • Kumpir: potato with toppings
  • Lokmasi:  deep-fried dough drenched in honey syrup
  • Peynirli borek: similar to Greek spanikopita
  • Sebzeli doner: meat, potato and vegetable skewers
  • Simit: bread that is between a bagel and pretzel

Leaving Istanbul for Bodrum

Our flight departed from Istanbul early in the morning, arriving in Bodrum at 10:30.  After collecting our luggage, we waited for the bus to take us to Salim’s house along the coast where we would spend several days before sailing the Greek Islands.

The bus was half full with tourists and residents visiting their second homes.  Looking out the window, my eyes were taking in all of the beautiful resorts along the coast.  Colorful flowers decorated the rural route where we entered tunnels with exquisite carvings which led to small, populated towns.

Passing by coves, we saw large yachts, small sailboats and the occasional fishing vessel.  Occasionally, a community of homes appeared as quaint villages along the Aegean Sea and within forty minutes we had arrived at the entrance to our resort community.

At the secured entrance, we waited for our driver to take us to the house and help us unload our luggage.   On our short drive to the house, we decided we would first have lunch and the attendant suggested the cafe where we could order the best pizza in town.  We could see the cove where we would be staying and noticed the crystal clear waters, bathing areas and restaurants with outdoor seating.

Our accommodations were conveniently located within walking distance to the beach, pier, restaurants and shopping.  The summer home of Salim was two story and surrounded by delicate flowers, large enough to accommodate the six of us.

We immediately unpacked our belongings, grabbed our swimsuits and walked down the hill to the pier where we found the restaurant to enjoy lunch.  The stroll in itself was full of jaw-dropping views where whitewashed guesthouses were covered with vibrant blooms.  Sitting along the waterfront, we ate fresh watermelon and made-to-order pizzas.

We swam for a couple of hours until it was time to meet up with Salim to discuss dinner plans.  We decided to stay in, ordering takeout from a nearby food stall.  From Turkish köfte (meatballs) to kebabs, we selected a wide variety of local dishes to sample.

After dinner, we strolled down to the swimming area as the light began to dim. Checking out the sailboats that had arrived to anchor off the shore, we eagerly waited for the sun to set.

We posed for photos, listened to Bruno Mars tunes and fought off sleep in fear of missing out.   With what energy we had left, we stopped by the pool and shared bottle of wine before turning in.  On the short walk home, we all agreed that we could have never imagined the beauty of Bodrum and reminisced about Ramadan in Istanbul until we just couldn’t stay awake much longer.

Have you had the wonderful opportunity to visit Bodrum, Turkey?  Which places did you visit or restaurants did you enjoy?  I would love to hear about your recommendations if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my Girl’s Trip to Turkey and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Turkish Flag

Beautiful Flowers in Bodrum

The Evil Eye – This circular symbol keeps evil thoughts from harming you

Enjoying the Sunset in Bodrum

Catamarans and sailboats in the Bodrum Harbor