Sunday 30 June 2013

A Wet Walk.

On our way back to Bodrum we decided to follow the signpost just after Milas to Uyku Vadisi, (Sleep Valley in English). I've been intending to visit for some time and had watched the You Tube clips so thought I knew what to expect.  Our aim was to walk up the gorge to the Gökçeler cave  and see the stalactites. We arrived, parked outside what we hoped was the Uyku Vadisi restaurant but were a little disconcerted at the lack of signs.  A lot of building was in progress and the restaurant bore only a passing resemblance to the one on the internet so I began to wonder if we were in the right place.  The colour co-ordinated staff confirmed that we were on course and directed us to the path to the caves.  I remembered pictures of wooden bridges and stepping stones across streams and rivulets so was attired in sensible trainers and socks as I knew there would be a steep climb ahead, it was therefore confusing to arrive at the first stream to find the bridges had been dismantled.  Off came the socks and shoes for a paddle and then back on they went.  Five minutes later, shoes off, paddle and on again.  I began to curse myself for not properly researching the walk. If you attempt this, waterproof walking shoes are a must.

What no stepping stones?

The settling is a beautiful one with the proverbial babbling brooks and overhanging foliage and as we climbed higher the path narrowed until we had to negotiate a rotten-looking wobbly plank over quite a large drop.   I have two recurring nightmares:  in the first I am sitting a history exam without doing any revision, in the second I have to walk across a narrow plank with water rushing below.  Grabbing on to Teo,  Jake and I got across the plank only to come to a weir.


My balance is not what it was so I bailed out at this point and Dave and Teo carried on the climb, (but not before I'd dithered and had to cross the rotten plank 3 more times) while Kath, Jake and I made our way back to the restaurant.



After a steep climb the guys got to the mouth of the cave only to find the gate locked, so no stalactites but lots of hornets.


Meanwhile the ladies were sipping a cold drink next to the mill wheel and Jake was enjoying a paddle.


Why such a discrepancy between the information on the web and reality?  The business is under new management,  more overnight accommodation is being built and the restaurant is being revamped.  I'm left wondering what has happened to the original owner who developed the site and talked with such enthusiasm about his project.

Dave takes a cold shower 
If I had done my research properly I would have found fellow blogger Natalie's post about Uyku Vadisi and realised that the walk wasn't for me.   I'm glad I'm not the only blogger caught out in  inappropriate footwear.

22 comments:

  1. .....and Dave made you pose on that rotten plank 3 times for a group photo! Would you like me to email the photo as a reminder or would you prefer to wipe it from your mind? Missing our trips K&D xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. The one we posed on didn't look too rotten, it was the one after it. But yeas please send the photo and maybe I can rid myself of the nightmare.

    ReplyDelete
  3. No narrow planks for me either....but it looks a lovely walk for the intrepid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Especially planks beginning to crumble at one end

      Delete
  4. B to B, This post was really a hoot. We've all been there - meaning to places where 'tadilat' has made the place unrecognizable and where unexpected surprises turn a trip into a real adventure. Dogs are great companions in times like this. They just go along cheerfully as if it's 'whatever!' to them. (But I do hate wet feet.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. . . it's a regular feature of 'tourism development' and the commodification of everything. Oh, to be able to turn the clock back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "If it aint broke dont fix it" isn't a Turkish concept

      Delete
  6. What an adventure you had - I am not a wet feet person either, though Dave's cold shower looked pretty cool, especially in a hot summers day - Jake is as cute as ever :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The shower is advertised as nature massage.

      Delete
  7. We keep meaning to go there as it isn't too far from us. You sounded a little disappointed that it wasn't quite what you expected, but it seems you enjoyed the trip anyway x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We went on the spur of the moment. When it is properly
      open it will have a swimming pool which would be nice after
      The long walk. I'd go back if the wobbly planks were replaced
      with something a bit sturdier.

      Delete
  8. Dear Annie, you did end up with some photographs that brought home the steepness of the terrain and the fresh water all around. Thank you. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The amount of rushing water was very refreshing

      Delete
  9. Brave and wise, Annie. Crossing rickety bridges is not something I could do. And a cold shower might be some people's idea of pleasure, but not mine! It LOOKS good but I'm a bit of a wimp at my roots.
    Yes - I am often rather irritated that web information is less than helpful, correct or even appropriate!
    Axxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an awesome adventure...wish I was there with you. Thanks for sharing I really enjoy your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When the guys got back they said I'd been right to give up as I wouldn't have enjoyed the steep climb.

      Delete
  11. I'd need two strong lads and a wheelbarrow to get me up there!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Splendid scenery, but I don't blame you for wimping out. Wobbly planks don't do it for me either and I'm glad I'm not the only one with the nightmare of exams without revision. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Always a history exam for me.

    ReplyDelete