Charmed Life

I've been told I have a charmed life. After five wonderful nights with Emino, who meant so much more to me than my first little fling with scooter boy, I wondered about my charmed life. Emino says, " Are you sure you want to leave?" "No, I don't to leave at all but that's what I do."


I'm miserable in Fethiye. It's a beautiful setting but it's raining just like it was 11 years ago when I was here. I miss Emino and I'm far far behind schedule. I wanted to do a trek in the mountains behind Fethiye, but now I'm glad the weather is bad so I can move on quickly. Unfortunately, Tuna, the owner of Fehar Pension, tells me the weather will be good tomorrow and another traveler wants to do the same trek. Of course having someone else help nogotiate the way would be nice. But I have doubts about whether either will be true.


My dorm room has the most fabulous view, I think it must be the best in Fethiye. The mountainous inclosed bay is filled with sail boats, the island of Rhodes in the background, the red shale roofs of the homes below. When I wake up the sky is blue. Oh no a bad sign. Then I go to breakfast and I meet the other traveler who wants to go. Halim is Turkish but is an economics professor in New York. He already has the logistics of how to get to the trail head. I have to go.


Having Halim with me is like having a free guide. We're going to walk the Lycia trail, but on the dolmas to Kabak we meet Maria, a Spanish -Basque girl and whe convinces us to take the coastal route. She has done both and she says the coastal route is more spectacular and there are places to swim unlike the the higher Lycia way. That's all she had to say - swim. Halim agrees too and with her directions we go that way.


The trek is not easy even though we take the coastal route, because we go down to the coast then up the mountain over and over again. The higher but more level Lycia way would have been less difficult. It was worth it. Later as Halim and I are swimming in our own private cove we both said, "Pinch me, this must be heaven."

Heaven wasn't over yet though. We hiked to George's House. For 30 trl (less than $20) you get a room, breakfast and dinner - all organic, vegetarian and comes from George's garden or other local farmers - slow food, local food and absolutely fabulous. Why would anyone stay in a Marriot, but I'm glad they do. I don't want them here. Plus view of waterfalls, mountains surrounding us, the deep blue beautiful ocean below. Pinch me! More tomorrow more excitement.