Tanning in Turkey

I'd like to think I'm a pretty adventurous traveller. I've always had the urge to explore, find the best coffee, the most unusual angle to take a photo etc etc. Sometimes though you find yourself somewhere and realise how content you could be simply staying put. The jetty into the Mediterranean at the front of our hotel in Torba was such a place. Perfection with inviting white sunbeds, emerald green sea warm after months of sun and even lots of little fish to watch from the comfort of your sunbed. The chances of me fully exploring the bodrum peninsula dwindled with every single cafe frappe the tanned Turkish waiters produced at my side.

Easy days rolled by, waterside dinners of calamari and octopus were devoured ( if you haven't had a grilled octopus tentacle in Turkey - get on it) Bottles of Efes were guzzled. We simply were.

It was an email from the elder female fox telling me about Ephesus that kicked me back into action. I'm glad it/ she did. Bodrum has a lot more to offer than just sun, sea and sea bass. We started gently with a morning at Bodrum castle. Difficult to find ( look for the underwater archaeology museum entrance) but well worth the 25 Lire entrance. Dating back to 1437 it was very Game of Thrones ( a good look for any historical building right now) and the perfect place for me to a) get my 10,000 steps in b) appreciate the stunning views from each of the castle's towers. The English one is incredible. 

The following day while Becky was being pummelled in the local Hamam I got my rusty haggling skills out in the bazaar. Turns out Bodrum is pretty good for shopping - I'm currently waiting for a pair of earrings to be made by a little jeweller I found. Dangerous. Come Day 6 we were on a bus to Ephesus ....but man those lazy days were good...and the memory of that jetty should stay a while...

We stayed: a BA holidays deal at Torba Han in Torba about 5km from Bodrum - wonderful and around £350 in Sept flights & B&B

We got around: by Dolma minibus, a bargain at 3 lire a journey ( 70p)

We ate: lots of good place - Muusto on the main waterfront was excellent, as was Limani Kofteli on the water. Cafe Passion was just ok. In Torba go to Gonca Balik which is a bit of a walk but completely worth it - tables over the water and incredible meze - expect wine, pudding, calamari etc all for under £20

We shopped: all over!