{"id":24545,"date":"2018-08-24T09:34:12","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T07:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/?p=24545"},"modified":"2021-09-08T11:49:00","modified_gmt":"2021-09-08T09:49:00","slug":"safari-taurus-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Safari in the Taurus Mountains: In the Morning Dew to the Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As soon as there&#8217;s a new opportunity to get to know the country and its people, I bounce up and down impatiently, wondering where the next journey will take me. As Leman, the TUI tour guide at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tui-blue.com\/sarigerme-park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TUI BLUE Sarigerme Park<\/a>, comes to me and enthusiastically tells me about a new trip, I&#8217;m seized by wanderlust. &#8220;What is it?&#8221; I ask, intrigued, because I recognise the sparkle in Leman&#8217;s dark eyes that can only mean one thing: pack a backpack and go. &#8220;What&#8217;s great,&#8221; she continues in the voice of a child who has recently discovered their favourite toy, &#8220;are the new safari Mercedes that drive you through the Taurus Mountains.&#8221; &#8220;Safari?&#8221; I press further, because the topic is new to me. &#8220;The views are beautiful,&#8221; she continues, &#8220;you&#8217;ll rediscover the area. Two experienced guides provide insight into the authentic, contemporary daily life in the Taurus Mountains, as well as in the history of the ancient provinces of Caria and Lycia.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e7a6af75dc1\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e7a6af75dc1\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/#A_Shot_of_Adrenaline_and_Driving_Yourself%E2%80%A6\" >A Shot of Adrenaline and Driving Yourself&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/#Cay_Break_and_Panorama_of_Dalaman_Area\" >\u00c7ay Break and Panorama of Dalaman Area<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/#The_Glory_of_Gocek_Bay\" >The Glory of G\u00f6cek Bay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/#%E2%80%9CIn_the_morning_dew_to_the_mountains_we_go_fallera%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;In the morning dew to the mountains we go, fallera&#8230;&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/#Yuvarlakcay_%E2%80%93_A_Magical_Place_in_the_Taurus_Mountains\" >Yuvarlak\u00e7ay &#8211; A Magical Place in the Taurus Mountains<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/safari-taurus-mountains\/#Do_you_know_how_the_song_ends\" >Do you know how the song ends?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Shot_of_Adrenaline_and_Driving_Yourself%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>A Shot of Adrenaline and Driving Yourself&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&#8230;but not me, not this time. I sit comfortably in the car and just ride along. Because I don&#8217;t know if I can steer the big white beast elegantly and safely. For me, rather small, sporty, red cars work just fine :).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23793\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23793\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23793\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari.jpg\" alt=\"mercedes safari\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mercedes_safari-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23793\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With these brand new Mercedes we go into the mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At 9:30 we leave, three cars in a row, the two Mercedes behind the guide, on the paved road through G\u00fczelyurt, over the Dalaman Plateau, and toward \u015eerefler (ancient Kalynda). After \u015eerefler, we continue on the dirt road and later on the forest path to our first stop. I can&#8217;t believe I&#8217;ve driven this way so many times (it&#8217;s partly the route to the airport and Sarsala Bay) and never explored the small path through the forest.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23753\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23753\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23753\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge.jpg\" alt=\"departure hotel taurus mountains\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abfahrt_hotel_taurusgebirge-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23753\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The participants and I are ready for departure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cay_Break_and_Panorama_of_Dalaman_Area\"><\/span>\u00c7ay Break and Panorama of Dalaman Area<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Kilometre 30: We stop at a small, cosy terrace in a little village and all sit at a table to look at the wonderful panorama. Ay\u00e7an, our guide tells us the history of the region around the Taurus Mountains and explains where the tour will lead us today. At the other tables sit mostly men who are apparently engrossed in serious conversation.\u00a0 It&#8217;s not the case in this shop, but in general you can see so-called men&#8217;s cafes everywhere in Turkey. They gather in various shops, cafes, or restaurants, drink \u00e7ay, smoke, play rummikub or cards, and read newspapers. All generations are represented: boys, men, and older gentlemen will find their home away from home here. I often pass by and curiously watch these places and the people who spend their time there. It&#8217;s a different world. Admission isn&#8217;t forbidden for women, but I&#8217;ve never had the impulse to go in. There is something that always holds me back: respect for the intimacy, the depth of the views, the fascination of the unknown.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-24545 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Cay break Taurus Mountains\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-23773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cay_pause_taurusgebirge-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"255px\" data-loftocean-lazy-load-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-23773'>\n\t\t\t\tBreak with cay and a look at the map.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"dalaman panorama\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-23797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/panorama_dalaman-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"255px\" data-loftocean-lazy-load-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-23797'>\n\t\t\t\tView of Dalaman Bay.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Glory_of_Gocek_Bay\"><\/span>The Glory of G\u00f6cek Bay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As we continue, the path leads us through a pine forest down to the shores of the gulf (ancient Glaucus Sinus) of Fetiye (ancient Telmessos, Makri). From the highest point of the mountain we stop, I can see G\u00f6cek Bay in all its glory. \u00a0I put my inner state of mind on &#8220;mute&#8221; and suddenly stand alone, with the mountains, nature, the infinite sea in front of me. The play of green and deep blue colours would surely inspire Monet to a new, famous painting: &#8220;Impression, Colours of Turkey&#8221;.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23789\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23789\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23789\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht.jpg\" alt=\"Gocek Bay yacht\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gocek_bucht_yacht-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23789\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">My dream of my own yacht has to be buried (for the time being).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I breathe in and out, empty my head of all negative thoughts, photograph with my inner eye this magical corner of the world. After this short break, we continue on. From time to time we stop to take more pictures. Slowly we near civilisation again and the first yachts on the coast become visible. I&#8217;m amazed at the different sizes, colours, and models. My mind wanders, a boat is actually not a bad idea. Medium-sized and navy blue, I keep dreaming, and I see myself at the wheel of an elegant yacht. Where would I sail? <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/cooking-hotel-manager-tasty-holiday\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hotel Manager Yavuz Bey<\/a>, who accompanies me on this trip, unsettles me with an approximate price estimate for a mid-sized, navy blue boat. Well, yeah, you can&#8217;t have everything in life, but dreams are free.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CIn_the_morning_dew_to_the_mountains_we_go_fallera%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;In the morning dew to the mountains we go, fallera&#8230;&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Do you know this German folk song? It&#8217;s been stuck in my head ever since we left. I used to sing this tune as a child during school trips through the mountains, and even now it does not seem to have left me.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23801\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23801\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23801\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge.jpg\" alt=\"Tour group in front of Taurus Mountains\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reisegruppe_vor_taurusgebirge-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23801\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In front of us, in the background the Taurus Mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Along the coast of the village G\u00f6cek, the road leads us for a few minutes over the state road. We turn off on an overland route and the climb begins again. After 11 kilometres we reach the Valley of Ta\u015fba\u015f\u0131. Again, it&#8217;s time for a refreshment in the midst of a stunning panorama. I must make a note of the spot: a farm where the owners welcome us warmly and offer us their homemade organic products. Even though I&#8217;m full from the grandiose breakfast this morning, I eat the delicious g\u00f6zleme they&#8217;ve prepared &#8211; the olives are a real treat, and the \u04abay even tastes different here. I should mention here that departing on a full stomach is not a good idea for sensitive travellers. This is my personal experience of course, but during the tour it can get very shaky in the car.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-24545 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"women bake goezleme\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-23785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/frauen_backen_goezleme-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"255px\" data-loftocean-lazy-load-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-23785'>\n\t\t\t\tIt could not be fresher.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"farm goodies\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-23765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_leckereien-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"255px\" data-loftocean-lazy-load-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-23765'>\n\t\t\t\tTreats everywhere you look.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"goezleme farm\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-23761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bauernhof_goezleme-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"255px\" data-loftocean-lazy-load-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-23761'>\n\t\t\t\tFresh g\u00f6zleme, delicious!\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yuvarlakcay_%E2%80%93_A_Magical_Place_in_the_Taurus_Mountains\"><\/span>Yuvarlak\u00e7ay &#8211; A Magical Place in the Taurus Mountains<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Continuing up into the Taurus Mountains, we pass through three mountain villages until we arrive at the dam at <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/5-insider-tips-holidays-sarigerme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dalaman<\/a> . So far we&#8217;ve driven 80 kilometres. We head in the direction of P\u0131nark\u00f6y (in Turkish: p\u0131nar = &#8220;spring&#8221;, k\u00f6y = &#8220;village&#8221;, so &#8220;village of the spring&#8221;), where the mountain stream Yuvarlak\u00e7ay appears. There are many restaurants on the banks of the stream, and it&#8217;s in one of these places that we will enjoy our lunch. Before lunch is served, we have the opportunity to swim in the specially designed swimming pool. This is a popular hideaway for the locals during the summer when it&#8217;s too hot. Here it&#8217;s always cool and the stream makes for a refreshing dip. I spot a swing with which I fly over the water. I&#8217;m a kid again &#8211; I feel free. The water is clear and glistening in the sun, the air is fresh, all around fly fantastical creatures with sapphire-blue wings, which sit on the branches of the tree in front of me. I&#8217;ve never seen such an intense, strong, noble, enchanting blue &#8211; they&#8217;re dragonflies.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23809\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23809\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23809\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay.jpg\" alt=\"vuvarlakcay\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vuvarlakcay-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23809\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vuvarlakcay: Pure idyll.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I leave Yuvarlak\u00e7ay with a heavy heart and promise to visit this place again as soon as possible. From here we begin the return trip in the direction of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/dalyan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dalyan<\/a>. The road passes through the villages and former cotton fields of the Ortaca Plateau. Passing Dalyan, we go through Mergenli and &#8211; after 137 adventurous kilometres through the Taurus Mountains &#8211; back to the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/tui-blue-sarigerme-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23777\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23777\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23777\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay.jpg\" alt=\"cosmina swing vuvarlakcay\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cosmina_schaukel_vuvarlakcay-240x240.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23777\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">What a swinging experience!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_you_know_how_the_song_ends\"><\/span>Do you know how the song ends?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We went out<\/p>\n<p>to catch the sunshine:<\/p>\n<p>Come along and try it yourself!<\/p>\n<p>So, what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m always available for a safari, so I made my way to the Taurus Mountains in Turkey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":23747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"loftocean_post_format_gallery":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_ids":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_urls":"","loftocean_post_format_video_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_video_url":"","loftocean_post_format_video_type":"","loftocean_post_format_video":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_type":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_url":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_audio":"","loftocean-featured-post":"","loftocean-like-count":0,"loftocean-view-count":18368,"loftocean-enable-content-navigation":"","loftocean-content-navigation-position":"","loftocean-content-navigation-heading":"","loftocean-content-navigation-label":"","loftocean-content-navigation-icon":"","loftocean-map-location":"","loftocean-map-latlng":"","loftocean-map-auto-latlng":"","eaven_single_post_hide_thumbnail":"","eaven_single_post_template":"","eaven_single_post_sidebar":"","eaven_hide_before_page_content_ad":"","eaven_hide_after_page_content_ad":"","eaven_advanced_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2542],"tags":[2337,2333,2113,2335,2439,2303,338,2437,583],"class_list":{"0":"post-24545","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-destinations","8":"tag-manavgat-en","9":"tag-offroad-safari","10":"tag-sarigerme-en","11":"tag-side","12":"tag-things-to-do-turkish-aegean-en","13":"tag-things-to-do-turkish-riviera","14":"tag-tuerkei-en-3","15":"tag-turkish-aegean-en","16":"tag-turkish-riviera"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24545"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35005,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24545\/revisions\/35005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}