Thank you all for your kind words, when I started posting on
ICR it was on the old site, it may be even longer as this could be the 3rd format that has been used.
So many people now have been to
Icmeler that they now can give advice and information to "first timers".
One things for sure we all love Icmeler and want to share our experiences.
For want of being boring I am going to post a few of my storries from the archives.
Admin allowing.
Shepherdess At Work.
Fed up with just lying in the sun I decided to stroll round the roads of the Old Village.
Strolling with my friend on the road running parrallel to the dried up river bed we observed a line of well over 100 goats being shepherded along this dried up watercourse by an old lady,nearly bent double with age and carrying a long stick to control her flock.
She seemed to be wanting her herd to leave the river bed and climb a slipway onto the road were we were standing, the goats duly obliged, a very large shaggy haired goat led the way,followed by goats of all shapes and sizes,big, small,long haired, shorthaired.
On reaching the road each goat seemed to aquire a mind of its own and each goat as it arrived on the road went its seperate way.
The main attraction seemed to be climbing the nearby trees to get to the succulent leaves,or jumping into the local farmers field and consuming his produce.
This old lady by this time had herselfe reached the road and on seeing the destruction being caused by her flock started to hurl bricks and stones and all manner of objects at her beasts.
The animals fell into line obviously they had felt the wrath of this frail figure before.
An orderly line again was established until as they were walking past us one of the baby goats decided it would like to join our little group walking round the village.
A tourent of Turkish words was aimed at this poor goat as was also this very large stick she was carrying, it missed my friend and I by inches,the small animal got back into line,not sure what to do we also thought our best bet was to join this line of obedient animals.
By this time quite a few tourists were watching this unfolding drama,most of them in hysterical laughter.
The goats dissapeared up the road,the old ladies rantings getting quieter.
I thought to myselfe, I have been priviliged to have observed a part of a working day in the life of a local herdswoman,this is what makes our holidays in Turkey what they are,
Unforgetable
Ramblings Of A Romantic
As I sit here in Derbyshire on a cold wet and windy night feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation as I look foreword to my holiday in May.
i wonder what is the attraction in Icmeler for me?
Is it the early morning walks along the promenade were the smell of jasmine is still in the air,the sea is like a mill pond hardly any movement except for the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore,the sea still resting before shr receives her daily guests to enjoy her watersports.
Or is it the early morning walk up into the old village were the distinctive smell of hot earth wafts the air,changing to the smell of newly baked bread as I pass the bakers shop near the mosque.
Walking round this tranquil scene horses,goats,hens and geese busy themselves feeding,and in the background can be heard the incessant rhythmic sound of the crickets.
May be dinner time spent under the wellcoming shade of the trees at the Erdem cafe on the promenade were a few beers and a tuna sandwich is taken while watching the world pass by.
Could it be when Icmeler dresses up for the evening,with her flashing lights and inviting bars,when she opens up her heart for us all to enjoy.
One ingredient not to be missed from my thoughts is the friendlyness and hospitality of the Turkish and Kurdish people who during our visits make us so wellcome.
I know it doesnt do for us all to like the same things and my memories will be different from yours,everyone has moments they remember which make repeat visits compulsive.
The thoughts of someone feeling meloncholy on a winters night.
Jeep Safari To See The Blue Fish.
One of the most exciting days out has got to
be the jeep safari to see The Blue Fish.The only time I have seen these timid creatures is on the jeep safaris from Icmeler.
Most trips do the waterfall and the carpet factory along with all the obligatory water fights but these jeep safaris gives us a chance to try and catch a rare view of these freaks of nature indiginouse to the Bozburun Penninsular.
Their habitat is among the deeper water near the river banks were the trees give some shade and cover.
It was not possible to see them this May due to the cold water temperatures and too much cloud cover,but on previous visits during the warmer summer months 2 or 3 jeeps full of tourists would park up near the river.
Leaving behind our water pistols and bottles and all thoughts off water fights dispelled as we set off walking down the river to confront nature at her quirkiest.
Ankle deep in water we slowly and quietly paddled our way towards the small breeding area.
There was no sound except for the water gurgling over a few rocks and stones that were in its path as it gently meandered on its way.
Birds call out to each other,warning that strangers are entering their world.
The guide stops and beckons us to an area of deeper water,trees lining the river with overhanging branches,the sun glinting through the leaves and sunbeams dancing on the water.
We all quietly move to the area were the guides are trying to coax out a small shoal of these shy elusive creatures into our sight.
A voice at the back whispers "I cant see anything",The secret is you have to get to the front,be patient and the reward of peering into the depths will surely be rewarded.
Everyone left happy,myselfe I felt humble,also a feeling of exhileration that I had just witnessed something that most people never experience on a normal jeep safari and that is the phenomena that is
" The Blue Fish".
Origin Of The Story.
The jeep safari came about to see the Blue Fish through this little snippet on mythology I found.
The story goes that just before Cleopatra left Egypt on her journey to the Bozburun Penninsular in Turkey,she was given a necklace by Mark Anthony made from semi-preciouse stones called Lapiz-Lazuli,these gems are a vivid blue in colour.
One morning when Cleopatra went down to the river to bathe she was overcome by a deep sense of sadness brought on by the absence of her lover.
Tears fell from her eyes and fell on the necklace,a token of Anthonys love for her.
The gems heavy with the Tears Of Sadness broke and the jewels fell into the water,on hitting the water each stone was turned by Aphrodite the goddess of love into one of these elusive fish we look for today,each fish representing a tear of sadness for a missing loved one and for the memory of Anthonys love for Cleopatra.
This one posted at the end of last season.
Till The Next Time
The nights are drawing in,the clocks go back on Sunday and the weather is going to get colder.
I have just put the central heating on,switched the gas fire onto mark 7 and made myselfe a cup of coffee and I am curled upon the settee surrounded by our photographs of our holidays in Turkey.
As I look through the photos I have to smile as memories are brought back to life,is that me jumping off the top deck of that boat into the sea?
and am I the one dancing on the bar?,the red eyes must be the flash and nothing to do with the alcohol.
Thank you Mr Kodac for a wonderfull invention.
The resorts will be quiet now,no more tractor train or roadsweeper.
The mosquitos will all be asleep ,their bellies full of our blood extracted from us while we slept, waiting for us all to return next year.
All the Wasps will be dead by now, killed by all our little children treading on the blighters.
Cockerels will still be crowing in the villages,but no tourist slumbers will he disturb for a while.
My goat lady will still be having a running battle with her flock every day
as she tends them through the winter.
All the sunbeds and brollies have all been put away, the cafes along the promenades closed, the sea will still be lapping the shore but no longer will children be giggling and screaming as the fish nibble their toes.
The wind will be blowing through our favourite bars, now stripped of all its sound equipment, decor and furniture, singing and laughing just an echo now among the rafters.
I for one am waiting for the rebirth of all my happy things,wont be long till next May.
Pass me some more photos darling.
Gene
