It was a crazy busy September. And somehow, we’re already a few days into October. So, without further ado, let’s get started with our Fethiye monthly news…
This was September!
September News From Fethiye
We love September.
All The Autumn Weather
It’s like the Fethiye weather gods decide to flip a switch. And, all of a sudden, the extreme heat of July and August – heat that you really can’t see an end to – suddenly becomes pleasant early autumn warmth.
There’s no gradual shift from one season to the other.
And, naturally, that also means the chance of stormy weather, too.
Towards the end of September, we had a couple of electrical storms where the thunder and lightning was right above us. Plus the usual Fethiye and Ölüdeniz floods occurred.
Huge flashes of lightning with simultaneous violent cracks of thunder.
One of the palm trees along the seafront was hit and caught fire.
The flames appeared to defy science and continued to grow despite the torrential rain. But, thankfully, the fire brigade were soon on the scene to extinguish it.
Fethiye Bay Clean Up Begins
In our last month’s August news we told you about the arrival of a vessel into the bay. A vessel that apparently cleans the seabed.
Well, as the days progressed, more news was released that this was indeed something that was there to create some good.
On 8th September, the dignitaries arrived in Fethiye and sat in Şehit Fethi Bey Park for the grand announcement that the long awaited clean up would begin of the bay in Fethiye.
In short, here’s what’s going to happen:
- The clean up project will take 3 years to complete. It is apparently the biggest clean up in Turkish history
- 16,268,925 cubic metres of bottom sediment will be removed. (No, we don’t know where it will be taken to)
- 600 hectares will be covered
- 2 Turkish dredging vessels will carry out the whole project
- The project is said to be of huge importance to the future of Fethiye bay and its ecosystem. (Where this leaves the plans for the cruise ship port, we don’t know)
Busy Busy
Whilst months do seem to be passing by as quickly as ever – does that mean we’re getting old – the main reason for September going so quickly was because it was jam-packed!
We had friends from Wigan over to visit for 10 days. They left on the night of the 15th. Then, on the morning of the 16th, we were off on a road trip to Cappadocia with more friends.
Needless to say, we’ve spent the latter end of September catching up with ourselves and daily life and chilling.
Wigan Friends
They’re regulars here so they know what they want to do around Fethiye. And we know where we want to take them for something new.
A few ticks from our Fethiye bars and restaurants page as we headed to Lukka Bar and Calisto along Çalış Beach and hit the terraces in Fethiye with Cafe Park Teras and El Camino.
We also got our steps in by walking up to the Fethiye rock tombs and trudging up the steep hill from Kabak Beach to the Olive Garden.
After that day in Kabak, we managed to fit some time in to update our articles on both Kabak Beach and the Olive Garden so check those out if you missed them.
On their last day, we hired a car to take them back to Dalaman Airport.
The plan was to show them around and spend a couple of hours in Akyaka and Köyceğiz – two of our favourite day trips from Fethiye.
However, a burst tyre just before Göcek quickly put pay to that.
By the time the cavalry arrived and we were fitted with a replacement tyre, there was just enough time to get some food by the water in Dalyan.
On their last visit there, we’d stopped for drinks at the restaurant, La Boheme. So we decided to eat there.
We’re pleased to say it was a lovely meal with good service.
The Cappadocia Part Of The Month
Yes, the day after the events of the Dalaman Airport run, the morning after, we said hello to more friends and all set off on the long drive to Cappadocia.
Obviously, we’ve got LOTS to write about from that trip – a return to the area after 22 years. Wow, Göreme has changed!
Driving stops on the way and on the way back included a return to Eğirdir, a stop off at Sultanhani Kervansaray – the country’s largest caravanserai – and Beyşehir in the Konya Province where we happened upon the fabulous Eşrefoğlu Mosque.
This is one of five 13th Century mosques that was inscribed as a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023 for its wooden pillars and carvings.
Our page of Turkish UNESCO World Heritage Sites has now been updated.
And lots of detailed articles to follow… A great trip and a special experience.
But Before All That
Yes, let’s not run away with ourselves, here.
If you read this blog regularly, you’ll know we were continuing our Turkish Aegean explorations in July.
Recently, we published our article about pretty Cittaslow Seferihisar and the neighbourhood of Sığacık.
Still a few articles to come from that little July jaunt. The Izmir Province is full of treats!
In The Kitchen
No new Turkish recipes for this month – well, we’ve hardly been at home – but we did go to Çalış Sunday market last week after a gap of a few weeks.
And wow, our seasonal eating immediately switched to autumn mode.
Lots of lovely plump cauliflowers and dark leafy greens on the stalls, alongside yummy gnarly celeriac!
Karnabahar yemeği – a kind of Turkish cauliflower stew – has been on the menu. And our Turkish celeriac in orange juice and olive oil will be on the menu, soon.
It’s also apple and pear season – we’ve not made our Turkish puff pastry apple tarts yet – but we have used lots of apples and pears for healthy homemade muesli lunches.
Our efforts to have a bit of a reset!
And if you love pickles, now is also the time to make Turkish mixed pickles. The market stalls are currently rammed with produce for pickling!
A Bit Of Sport
Huge congratulations to Filenin Sultanları – the national women’s volleyball team – who became European champions on 6th September.
This now gives them automatic qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Men’s football, however, both local and national, isn’t looking great.
You can see here, for yourself with the 2. Lig league table and Fethiyespor’s results and fixtures.
Into October…
We’re already a few days in and it’s once again stormy as I type. More settled and warmer weather is en route though so let’s see how the month pans out…