If you think that Bodrum is just a place for a lively kind of holiday then think again. The Bodrum Peninsular offers many delights which people are unaware of. Head inland for a sightseeing trip upon a dolmus (local bus) winding along the road up and dow
If you think that Bodrum is just a place for a lively kind of holiday then think again. The Bodrum Peninsular offers many delights which people are unaware of. Head inland for a sightseeing trip upon a dolmus (local bus) winding along the road up and down the hills passing ruined farm houses, traditional Turkish village houses, rural mosques and the very popular fruit stands along the road side. Eventually the road will end at a small fishing village called Gumusluk on the far edge of the peninsular where many stories have been created making it a well known area of the region.
Once surrounded by a grand wall the village once a city known as Myndos was a stop off for Antony and Cleopatra as they sailed towards Rome also its known to be the place where Julius Ceasers killers hatched their plan.
Myndos was given a nickname of the Sunken City due to an earthquake which shook the city to nothing more than a small village, today ancient ramparts can still be seen poking through the waters allowing an image of what the city once was.
The village now has a tranquil effect with dogs sleeping, men playing backgammon and scrabble in the small lokantas (restaurants).
Seafood restaurants are plentiful in Gumusluk and is a popular place on an evening from visitors around the peninsular sampling the local cuisine of mezes and main dishes.
However many of the nights charades happen in Bodrum where the night comes alive with buzzing promenade restaurants overlooking the bustling port of tall masted yachts and gullet boats touting for the next days business.
However most people come to visit the labyrinth of small shops which awaits for a night of bartering and haggling in order to gain the perfect deal. Leather and gold shops are abundant with styles and prices that will blow the mind away.Later in the night Bar Street starts to vibrate with the loud music been played by the many bars and party goers can dance the night away while drinking the local Turkish beer known as Efes which was named for the ancient Greek and Roman city of Ephesus. Halikarnas is just a stone throw away, a nightclub designed as an old amphitheatre offering dance style foam parties for holiday makers and the locals alike.
The next day seems brighter when the bartering continues at one of the local markets selling an array of colourful spices, fruit and vegetables, cheap bags, tshirts and the famous Blue Eye of Turkey intended to keep the evil away are available to buy.
Remember the famous castle is waiting at the edge of the harbour to be explored and the remains of Mausoluss funeral monument lies. Mausolus arranged for this to be built but he died inconveniently early and the project was taken over by his wife Artemesia. Only some of the ruined columns and the foundation of the burial chamber remain from this wonder of the ancient world. In the 15th century the stones were taken by the knights of St John (the order of the Hospitalers) who found the Mausoleum in ruins after an earthquake who used them to finish of building their fortress, which remains to this day for visitors to view.
Visiting these fabulous places can make it not only just a holiday but also a cultural experience giving memories to remember.