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Leaving the gunslinging capital of Turkey behind we boarded the truck for another epic journey southeast to the Mediterranean coast line known as the Turquoise Coast. The drive also took us from what remained of the conservative Muslim east and into the Burger King and English Breakfast dotted 'European' Turkey. The drive gave spectacular coastal views and we descended into the small hamlet of Olympos early evening.
Olympos is famed for its backpacker treehouses and is one of those places you either love or hate. Unfortunately our accommodation suffered from a forest fire a few months back and the traditional treehouses have been burnt to the turf replaced by more modern and comfortable shacks. The resort centred around a two storey bar and restaurant and had a vibe more associated with Meatballs movies than outback Turkey. By the time we had come to terms with the fact that half of 18-23 Turkey had arrived on the same two days we had it was obvious sleep wasn't gonna be forthcoming.
Morning arose after the techno booms died down at 5am and we got in the mess hall line for breakfast. After that there was only one plan for the day and it was lazing our white butts on the beach. The walk to the beach is mildly scenic given that the ruins of the ancient village of Olympos lie en route. They weren't worth the sideways glance and soon the glistening Med came into view and immediately we galloped like salivating woofers. After satisfying our position on the boulderish beach we only moved to hide from the barbaric sun and to take opportunity to catapult off the nearby cliffs into the bay below.
Roasted and dehydrated we continued our wild fetish for climbing mountains late at night and signed on for a trek up to the Chimaera flames atop of Mount Olympos. After Emma was reassured that this walk was only 20 minutes instead of 3 hours she agreed to come to satisfy her pyromaniac desires. The lames burn eternally from an underground methane source and are said in fable to be that of a caged mythical beast. After testing the truth we pulled out the marshmallows and gorged ourselves before heading down and joining the Turkish revelers for another night of nil sleep.
previous travel blog entry
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