Day 20; Karaöz

To help you navigate there is a link to an Index  at the foot of each page.  

Today's walk is a section you would skip if you were doing a highlights tour. It brings into focus that I have a tendency to want to do the whole thing and not 'cheat' which is frankly ridiculous. Although by doing the so called boring bits you get to see a place; the sparkling holiday village, the five star resort with a screened off ladies-only beach area. With thunderstorms building in the afternoon and breakfast available at 7:30am I plan a quick getaway on a 6 hour flat day so I beat the rain. Let's see if I make it.

Finike has a lovely promenade. In the background on a hill you can see the Turkish flag painted on the cliff in view of a mounted President Atatürk.

Finike does have a Mediterranean feel.
A children's playground appears to present the view that the Turkish people will defend their country. This isn't far from reality as yesterday (1 October  2023) there was an explosion in Ankora and Turkey hit back at those they believed responsible. 
You put money in the slot and feed the cats and dogs. 
The beach is a nesting ground for turtles and some nests are given protection. I saw a dead turtle on this beach and a live one swimming in a harbour a few days ago.
I see some wading birds but a camera phone just isn't up to the job unless your prey is slow and you can get up close.

I stop at a shelter to chat to a French cyclist who is half way into a 12 month European (and part of Asia Minor of course) tour.

In looking ahead I realise I am walking for 30 days and not 29. I have a plan so I am unsure where that confusion crept in. Blue for rain, red for extra caution, yellow for ATMs. Blanks mean no accommodation booked. There is more but this is sufficient to show that I have a plan of sorts. The numbering relates to the sections of the walk.

A tortoise by the roadside was familiar enough with humans not to hide and yes, slow enough that I could get up close.
Beach walking, and on the way I walk through a sparkling holiday village, a five star resort where I thought I might be evicted and from a distance saw a screened off ladies-only beach area.
My flat 6 hour day took just under 8.5 hours and I wasn't dawdling; I even accepted a 3km lift from someone who, once we were underway said something in Turkish which from his facial expression could not be misinterpreted - "Crack the window open mate, you stink". First choice Pansiyon is full with yoga folk and the second choice has a room. Half board for under £40 and dad is catching supper at sea. My host points out the washing machine with a meaningful glance.

The approach to Karaöz.
Karaöz benefits from a good supply of mountain spring water and it is noticeable in the lush green gardens. The houses are mostly of the same style being white stucco or render with red tiled roofs. It gives the place a very organised and up-market feel.

Popular posts from this blog

Day 13; Liman Agizi (via Kas)

Image
A shorter day today and I aim to have brunch in the coastal town of Kaş which is only 2 hours 30 minutes away by the book. Then it is another 2 hours to my final destination. The route summary for Kaş says "....across the Çukurbağ ova and over the edge of the cliffs...". I should say at this point that ova is Turkish for plain or flat land and that I'll be going over the edge onto a narrow cliff path, or that is the hope.  Today will be fine, but as I head out I realise I may need to adjust my plans and use some of the contingency days I have at the end. It appears that an 8 hour day according to my guidebook may take me 10 hours. The ova reveals some of the path choices that always present themselves.  The cliff has the usual stunning views but looks daunting. I start by slipping on the loose earth and take some skin off my hand on the sharp rocks; I have never done a walk that has drawn so much blood. Half way down and the...
Read more

Index

Image
At the foot of each page is a link to take you to this Index . Pre-start Ways to keep moving Orientation  Day 1 ; Faralya Day 2 ; Cennet Beach (Alinca)   Day 3 ; Sidyma  Day 4 ; Bel Day 5 ; Gavuragili Day 6 ; Letoon  Day 7 ; Üzümlü Day 8 ; Patara Day 9 ; Kalkan  Day 10 ; Saribelen  Day 11 ; Gökceören Day 12 ; Cukurbag Day 13 ; Liman Agizi (via Kaş) Day 14 ; Bogazcik Day 15 ; Üçagiz Day 16 ; Demre Day 17 ; Belören Day 18 ; Belören (rest) Day 19 ; Finike (transfer) Day 20 ; Karaöz Day 21 ; Adrasan Day 22 ; Çirali Day 23 ; Beycik Day 24 ; Yayla Kuzdere Day 25 ; Göynük Yaylasi Day 26 ; Göynük  Day 27 ; Elmayani Day 28 ; Hisarçandir  Day 29 ; Çitdibi (and beyond) Day 30 ; Geyikbayiri The End ; If Only I'd Known
Read more

The Pre-Start

Image
After two and a half hours of physical exercise in the late morning sun with 24 degree centigrade heat I struggle to my destination, gather up some basic provisions, and collapse in the shade to recover. This doesn't bode well. It is the 3rd of September in London and I fly out to Turkey to explore the ancient region of Lycia in Turkey on the 11th of September. Having done lots of early planning and preparation for the Lycian Way I have spent the last 14 weeks focussing on training for the half marathon I have just finished. As a relatively new runner - and as a naturally slow runner - my first three half marathons were all consistently close to two hours and fifteen minutes. My plan was to knock one minute off that time but in the event dehydration meant I added a full sixteen minutes; the torrid conditions led to a torrid last four miles. Frankly, I was lucky not to end up in the medical tent. This isn't a good start for my unsupported tramp along old paths and mule trails wi...
Read more