Gündogan - Bodrum
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Photos: WOW Turkey
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by Sarah Sellar
Covered with colourful flowers all year round, Gundogan means `the Sunrise`. Famous for its ancient rock cemeteries and rock formations, it is a small town on the Bodrum Peninsula. Some imaginative people believe that these rock formations are, in fact, the remains of an ancient zoo built of stone.
There may be truth in this., as Gundogan is located very near to the ancient Lelegian city of Madnasa. These historians of antiquity say that the Lelegians were skilled in stone work. If you look carefully at these rock formations with a little imagination thrown in then you may see the wild animals of the ancient zoo carved in stone!
It is an important town for fishing, sponge diving, olive and tangerine growing. The old and new settlers have protected the character of the place. They have not touched the houses surrounded with trees of olive, mandarins, bananas, pomegranates and oak. The scent of orange trees welcoming visitors along the seaside still remains. Gundogan has 4000 inhabitants. Boat trips leave from here to secluded Bays along the coast. You can catch a ferry to Didim on the other side of the Bay and watch dolphins and seals swim alongside the boat.
Situated among tangerine, olive and pine trees, intimate restaurants and cafes built on jetties circle the Bay offering traditional Turkish cuisine. Gundogan is also cheaper than other parts of the peninsula. Relax and take it easy with a chilled glass of wine or the local delicacies. There are large colourful cushions provided to sit on, on the many jetties circulating the Bay where you can chill out, people watch, sip a refreshing drink and watch the waves breaking on the rocks and children playing in the crystal blue waters.
This is a great place for snorkeling where you enter the sea from the jetties. Sit at the beach bar and watch the sun go down and witness the spectacular sunsets. There is a small harbour with fishing boats, yachts, gullets and a sailing school offering dingy sailing, windsurfing , jetskis and waterskiing.
Across the Bay is `Rabbit Island` which has an old Greek church and standing remains of a Byzantine monastic settlement dated to the 9th Century A.D. If you wish to be active during your stay here, you will have plenty to do - archeological trips in the area, windsurfing, under water photography, diving lessons, horse riding, walking and trekking. History, dramatic landscape and a natural un spoilt Bay and friendly people await you! As they say `Nothing less than history, sun, seaside, nature and friendly people can be found`.
BODRUM
The seaside town of Bodrum, with its white washed villas and splashes of pink bougain villaea, is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated resorts on the Turkish Riviera. Buildings are restricted to two storeys an can only be painted white or constructed from natural stones. There are no high rises in sight. Bodrum effortlessly combines ancient and modern, offering 2 beautiful beaches, water sports, a brand new marina, excellent shopping, traditional bazaars, dining and nightlife alongside its proud cultural and historical heritage. It is famous for its vivacious, friendly and bohemian atmosphere. Intimate seaside cafes with magnificent views of the 15th Century castle mingle with the energetic and buzzing street side bars, international restaurants, shops and boutiques.
Bodrum`s St Peters castle houses lots of history to include a torture room, a cistern, Turkish baths and 14 skeletons with heavy iron chains shackled to their ankles. One of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum in the heart of Bodrum starts the trip back in history. There is also the Museum of underwater Archaeology within the castle, showing restored shipwrecks including the most precious cargo of a 3,500 yr old shipwreck. This museum also houses the oldest chess set found in the world!
There are trips by hydrofoil or ferry to the Greek islands of Kos and Rhodes. The Black Island is also just opposite the town where you can have a mud spa.
Bodrum offers all the facilities of a major town all year round. This is the 'playground' of the rich and famous and many actors and actresses holiday here. It is a shopper`s paradise and a cosmopolitan all year round holiday destination. Haggle for purchases with the local traders, buy designer clothes at a fraction of the price at home. Or stroll along the marina and stop and enjoy traditional Turkish coffee or cuisine in the cafes or restaurants. It also has the largest open-air nightclub in Europe called the Halikarnas. It is the biggest, trendiest and most stylish club with the setting, the laser show and the no-expense-spared floorshow.
The above article is taken from mymerhaba member Sarah Sellar's website www.turkey5starvacation.com
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