August News From Fethiye

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What can we say about the month of August in Fethiye? Let’s have a monthly news roundup of daily happenings.

Of course the temperatures were high, the sun was beating down and, on some days, the humidity levels made life a tad uncomfortable.

As I type, however, September has arrived. And, with that, the flick of the imaginary switch that gives us perfect late summer weather.

Blissful breezes, cooler mornings for running.

We’re only a few days in and we’re basking in all that September brings with it.

Zafer Bayramı

The penultimate day of August – the 30th – is, of course, one of the Turkish National Holidays, Zafer Bayramı – Victory Day.

In Fethiye, there was a torch lit procession along the kordon to Beşkaza Meydanı (the town square), where Turkish group, Adamlar, later did a live concert.

Head Of A Statue Found At Fethiye Castle

Sitting high on the hillside, watching over Fethiye harbour and the town below are the ruins of an ancient castle.

For the last three years, archaeologists have been clearing the area of scrub and carrying out excavations within and around the castle walls.

And in August, news came of an unexpected finding: the statue of a 2nd Century AD head as PART of the castle walls.

Hopefully, one day, the Fethiye Museum will reopen and we’ll be able to see other discoveries from the castle on display.

You can read more about the excavations at the castle in this article.

Out & About

August is just hot! So, not too much eating out in the restaurants around Fethiye.

We did find ourselves on Barış Manço Bulvarı at one point so we decided to head to Mojo Italian Gusto to see if their pizzas are still as great as we remembered.

Always Room For A Pizza

They are!

We shared a tuna pizza and a portion of chips – and left most of the chips!

They’re deceptively filling pizzas.

In The Kitchen

And also in August, our own cooker doesn’t see much action.

Standing over a hob in temperatures around 40 degrees has little to zero appeal.

Obviously, we eat!

But it’s all about using the seasonal produce from Çalış Sunday market to make lots of Turkish salads, cold meze dishes – and we also bought a couple of salad recipe books in August that have already been really well used!

Fethiyespor

The 2024-25 football season is now underway and Fethiyespor played their first match at home – and lost 3-4.

Early days and all that.

Here’s their current league standing. Onwards and upwards, hopefully.

If you’re going to be in town at anytime over the season and want to catch a match, here are the fixtures.

Away From Fethiye

August is our anniversary. And, as with our birthdays, we like to try and get away for a couple of days, if possible.

This time, we wanted something easy – somewhere not too far away and somewhere that we know.

To chill rather than to explore – it being August and all.

We both decided the obvious choice was one of our favourite little boltholes – Kaş.

No trip over to Meis, this time. Just a couple of days pottering about around town.

On The Blog

Two updated articles in the month of August and two brand new articles.

Motif Restaurant

In July, we told you we are at Motif Restaurant along Çalış Beach with friends.

A much needed update to our Motif Restaurant review has now been completed.

Kaputaş Beach

En route to Kaş from Fethiye, you pass Kaputaş Beach.

If you do this in summer, you do so very slowly.

Our Kaputaş Beach article is now all up to date, too.

Guide To Symi

As we said, when possible, we like to go away for birthdays and our anniversary.

July was Barry’s birthday and we decided to head over to the Greek island of Symi for three nights.

Our quick guide to Symi island is now up on the blog, complete with lots of photos.

An easy journey from Fethiye on the high speed Fethiye Rhodes ferry with a few hours in between to wander around Rhodes Town.

And A New Recipe

Strictly speaking, this was a new recipe for September.

But as we’re a few days into the month, we can add it to this news update.

I think I can safely say this has been the most cooked and eaten meal in our house over the last couple of years or so.

It’s taken til now to write the recipe down.

This is our tavuk kapama – Turkish chicken and rice traybake.

A very welcome addition to our Turkish recipes collection as far as we’re concerned.

And In Other News

Our little section of random bits of news from around the country that jump out at me as I peruse my morning newsfeed.

Göbeklitepe

Göbeklitepe, it seems, is the historic gift that keeps on giving.

According to this article, Sanlıurfa’s Göbeklitepe contains a stone pillar with carvings dating back 12,000 years.

Researchers at Edinburgh University in the UK believe this could be the world’s oldest calendar

Smyrna Theatre Excavation

In August, this article in Hurriyet Daily News told us that archaeologists in the western city of Izmir will resume excavations of the ancient Smyrna Theatre.

The theatre is on the hillside between Kadifekale and the ancient agora and had seating for 20,000 people.

Overlooking the Gulf of Izmir, it should be quite something if and when excavations are completed.

The Great Döner Debate

This is now an international news story that has stretched through August and into September.

Whenever a country lays claim to a particular food, more often than not, it causes debate.

Because it’s only natural that other countries feel they also have some claim to the food in question.

At the moment, it’s the döner kebab that is causing debate and making international news.

We hope Turkey and Germany reach an agreement soon on the naming of döner kebab.

And in the meantime, here’s a nice article about how the döner kebab reflects the story of Turkish migrants.

Into The Rest Of September

No big travel plans for this month but the weather is cooling slightly.

So hopefully, we’ll get away for the odd day out and a bit of local exploration.

Enjoy the rest of your September, wherever you may be in the world.

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