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...With the muezzin's call to prayer as a metaphor
for daytime and night time pursuits. For many it is a wakeup
call, the start of the day's activities. For many others
it is a call to bed, as
they wend their way home at the close of Bodrum's active nightlife.
This contrast perhaps signifies Bodrum's uniqueness and
diversity
as a holiday resort, offering on the one hand watersports,
excellent shopping, dining and nightlife,
while at the same time fervently maintaining its cultural
and historical heritage.
Day or night, Bodrum has it all.
Bodrum occupies a special place in many
people's hearts. A popular home and resort for Turkish artists
and
intellectuals, Bodrum's first remembered literary character
was known as the "Halicarnassus Fisherman". After the formation
of the Turkish Republic in 1923 Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli was
exiled to Bodrum due to his unpopular political expressions.
His subsequent books and stories about life in Bodrum attracted
like minded romantics to the town and were largely responsible
for creating the Bohemian atmosphere Bodrum enjoys today.
In fact although mostly unknown outside Turkey, Cevat Sakir
Kabaagacli ranks with King Mausolus as one of Bodrum's most
famous residents.
 ou
are never far from the sea anywhere on the Bodrum
peninsula, making Bodrum itself an ideal starting point
from which to visit the many peaceful havens along its beautiful
coastline. In August the average daily air temperature is
33 C with warm seas of 25 C, perfect for any aquatic activity.
To be truthful, beaches in the Bodrum area are
not the best in Turkey, tending to be rather narrow and shingly.
However, in every village or resort, in front of hotels and
seaside restaurants, there are wooden jetties for sunbathing,
free for everyone's enjoyment. There is never a lack of comfortable,
uncrowded space for swimming and sunbathing. Another plus
is that the rent-a-bed bunch are not to be seen. While some
hotels do reserve their sun beds for their own guests, first
come first served is the rule on local beaches.
It is difficult to find cleaner, clearer water
than that on the Turkish coast. No matter where you go, visibility
is always excellent. This combined with an absence of heavy
seas or strong tides and currents make the Bodrum area a swimmer's
and snorkeler's paradise. For those interested in spending
more time underwater than one breath there are several scuba
diving centers in the area offering instruction and equipment hire, for the beginner or expert.
 Recently
declared one of the world's best windsurfing areas by a popular
windsurfing magazine, you are never far from a board anywhere
on the peninsula.
Windsurf schools and rental facilities abound,
particularly in Gumbet and Bitez. If you're after speed
and thrills of a different kind, water-skiing, jetskiing
and parasailing
are also available on several beaches.
As a major boat
building and yachting center
it is only fitting that you can enjoy boating from almost
anywhere on the peninsula. From canoes and pedaloes to luxury
motorsailers, all types of craft are available. Perhaps the
most inexpensive aquatic excursions are the numerous dayboat
trips. Locally captained and crewed these boats make a day
of it; stopping at the best swimming areas on the way and
usually calling at a seaside restaurant for lunch. One popular
stop on such excursions is "Karaada" or Black Island, where
warm springs flow from a shoreline cave into a walled-in pool
jutting into the sea. In addition, daily or weekly charters
may be enjoyed on literally dozens of yachts, be they the
traditional Turkish gulet, for motor sailing comfort, or modern
sailing yachts, for those interested in serious sailing.
If you prefer to spend your holiday ashore, there's
plenty to do for the landlubber as well.
Turkey
is the proud possessor of more recognized historical
and archaeological sites than any other country in the world.
Bodrum's Aegean
location offers the opportunity to see some of the best.
From the spectacular ancient city of Ephesus or the unique
Temple
of Apollo at Didyma to quaint and secluded Iasus, a two thousand-year
trip into the past is only a few hours away. Travelling
by
organized tour, rent-a-car or public
bus, numerous spectacular
sites are close enough to be visited easily in a day. Bodrum's
own history is second to none. Birth place of Heredotus
(the "Father of History"); home of Mausolus, entombed
in one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; and
visited by
Alexander The Great (who enjoyed a lengthy stay), Bodrum
is a unique combination of ancient and modern. Sites
not to be
missed in Bodrum itself include the Mausoleum, the amphitheater
on the hill above town and the early fifteenth century Castle
of St. Peter. Spectacular in its own right with
its lush gardens, massive stone works and diverse towers,
the Castle also houses a world famous museum
of underwater archaeology.
If you like to shop then
Bodrum is for you. Leather is abundant, in the latest fashions
and at excellent prices.
Turkey is one of the world's largest carpet producers and
traditional hand made carpets are priced considerably less
than abroad. Hand made jewelry, brass, copper, woodcrafts
and gifts are plentiful and sales are usually conducted over
a friendly glass of tea and a serious discussion about price.
Turkey is also a large textile producer and modern sportswear
can be had at significant savings. The local tailors are perfectly
willing to custom make clothing to size, be it traditional
Turkish trousers "shalvar" or a copy of the latest casual
evening wear.
Market day in Bodrum presents an opportunity to
experience a real Turkish bazaar. Ever Thursday and Friday
farmers and tradesman from surrounding villages bring their
produce and wares to the Bodrum bazaar. Worth a visit for
the atmosphere alone, fantastic bargains can be found on everything
from fresh fruit, cheeses and aromatic herbs and spices, to
carpets, clothing and shoes.
 s
Bodrum has become more popular over the past few years services
have steadily improved, creating in Bodrum a complete self
contained community for visitors and residents alike. Doctors,
dentists, laundries, car repair, shops and utilities now cater
for almost every need.
Visiting yachtsmen are now provided with the services
of the Karada Bodrum Marina, whether staying for a night or
a season. The new three hundred
and fifty-berth marina offers
every service a yachtsman could ask for, resulting in many
boat owners berthing here permanently.
Bodrum is definitely growing, with Turks and foreigners
alike attracted to its warm, relaxing atmosphere. Growth inevitably
brings change, but fortunately some things will always stay
the same. In Bodrum you can always count on the sunny weather,
the warm hospitality of its residents, the sight of a fully
laden camel wending its way through the back streets and from
the top of the minarets, the wailing cry of the muezzin, calling
the faithful to prayer.
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