27th April - Sophie's Birthday
It didn't take long to decide to stay a little longer in Oludeniz. The hotel was quiet and comfortable and since the season was not in full swing the village was relatively pleasant too.
After breakfast I gathered my laptop and settled in to update this website. I spent close to 4hrs working solidly on photos and blog, and transferring photos and video from the GoPro (for later use) and hit the "Publish" button at the top of the screen. All looked good so I decided I should have lunch and relax and wait for the upload to complete.
After another 4hrs, impatient checking and around 5 attempts the website upload was complete…….not as quick and easy as I hoped.
I headed out for dinner and was ushered into one of the restaurants after I identified myself as an Australian since there was a table of four other Australians inside. They had been to Gallipoli, and like many Australians in Turkey before or after April 25, they were travelling around Turkey to see some more of the wonderful places it has to offer. We enjoyed a few beers and talked about our various plans. Part of their group is planning travelling for over a year throughout Europe.
28th April
I enjoyed a relaxing morning in the hotel before heading out to see if I could be tempted by a swim at the beach. I wandered the beach which stretches into a 5TL entry fee 'Natural Area' and decided I would not be swimming today.
Oludeniz Beach from within the 'Natural Area'
I am not sure why it is classed as a natural area since there is a restaurant, several small kiosks selling food, drink, souvenirs, sun cream and people selling rides in paddle boats, canoes and kayaks and no doubt charging for a seat in one of the many sun lounges (with signs instructing you not to sit between them). This is different to many natural areas I have seen.
Back in Oludeniz the paragliders continued to fall from the sky and land in front of the restaurants and bars.
I was tempted by the opportunity to tandem - perhaps another day.
The rather pleasing view from Help Bar, Oludeniz.
It had been a nice and easy day without riding anywhere - tomorrow I would be back in the saddle. Again I was happy I had beaten the tourist season by a week or two.
One more shot of a paraglider.