Bodrum, Boats and a bit of a Barter
From Pamukkale, we said goodbye to our host Mehmet and the amazing food at Melrose House hotel and took a coach down to the Bodrum Peninsular on the south-west coast for the third stop on our mini Tour of Turkey.
This was a shorter daytime journey of just 4.5 hours so we were able to see some of Turkey’s beautiful scenery en-route and with cold towels and refreshments it was a much easier journey than the night bus to Pamukkale.
We’d booked five nights in Bodrum; time to see the town and surrounding area and to kick back and relax after the previous full-on five days.
We arrived late in the afternoon into the port at Bodrum; white-washed buildings bright with the sunshine, glorious blue skies and all presided over by the impressive 15th century Ottoman Castle of St Peter. Such different scenery from the dry volcanic rock in Goreme and the travertines of Pamukkale.
At the far end of the bay is a modern marina crammed with sleek, white yachts, smart shops and eateries. As the bay curves round towards the castle the yachts thin out and all types of vessel jostle for space along the quayside. Fishing boats display the day’s catch in wooden crates packed with ice - the gleaming fish and seafood is as fresh as you’ll ever hope to eat.
Gulets, traditional Turkish boats, with varnished wood, polished brass and crisp, soaring sails moor alongside smaller vessels which hug the harbour walls. Fishermen tout day trips to passing tourists and it's worth checking out the prices for some great deals on day trips here.
Check out tours, trips and activities in and around Bodrum.
Bodrum Castle
Sightseeing in Bodrum was to have included the Castle of St Peter built by the Knights of St John and the town’s main landmark, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, The Mausoleum - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, a boat trip and some general meandering through the town.
First stop, however, turned out to be the clinic. Mister’s foot and leg up to his knee were now seriously swollen from the wasp sting and so he spent the next day attached to a drip and was finally discharged at midnight.
As always we had travel insurance and were covered for everything from taxis to and from the clinic, treatment and food whilst there and, of course, the medication for the next week. I’d like to know what type of wasp was the culprit because from what seemed to be just a minor sting caused a lot of problems and the scar remains months later. Not just your average wasp.
Bodrum Market
Due to the 'Big Foot' situation we kept the rest of our stay in Bodrum fairly relaxed and didn’t get about as much as we’d planned. We had a wander around the town, with frequent Efes stops to help the swelling.
We headed to the shopping street looking for some things to buy in Turkey to take home as gifts.
All types of ‘genuine fake’ designer goods, souvenirs, rugs, cushions and local handicrafts overflowed into the shaded alleyways and we spent a fun half-hour perfecting our bartering techniques. Or so I thought as I'm sure the shopkeeper ultimately got one over us but he was happy, we were happy and my Mum now has a delightful pair of Turkish slippers - not sure she's so happy...
Bodrum Beach
Beyond the shopping area is 'bar street' filled with bars (obviously!) and restaurants which look out onto a narrow shingle beach. Many of the bars and hotels have tables and chairs placed right at the water’s edge.
Great for a drink whilst dipping our toes in the water and taking in the views across to the castle. Halikarnas, the largest outdoor nightclub in the world is in this area of Bodrum.
Bodrum Boat Trips
A day out on a boat is a must-do when on the Aegean and the deck of our smart wooden Gulet was kitted out with comfy cushions. A cool breeze fanned the heat and a good supply of Turkish Efes beer, and a delicious seafood lunch kept all seafarers happy.
The sea was the purest blue and so clear we could have counted the pebbles on the bottom. Shoals of sparkling fish darted through the blue and we moored in a secluded bay, backed with pine-clad hills, and swam in the wonderfully warm waters.
We didn’t see as much as we’d originally planned in Bodrum but our few days there turned out to be exactly what we needed.
Take the Ferry
Bodrum is one of Turkey’s most iconic coastal destinations and a popular stop for travellers exploring the Aegean Sea. The port at Bodrum connects with nearby Greek islands like Kos, Rhodes, Leros, and Symi.
Check routes and timetables for all Bodrum ferries if you're looking to spend time in the Aegean too.
You might also like to read about The best things to do in Marmaris, Türkiye
I completely agree that if you're coming to the Bodrum area you have to go on a day boat. All of the coastal towns and villages on the Peninsula have their own offerings ... which can range from 100 people party boats pumping bump-n-grind music, to the small gulets which only take a dozen people, and whenever possible, hoist the sail and cut the motor....... I'd opt for the quiet and chilled boat everytime.
Last year we ventured to Bitez, which is a couple of bays over from Bodrum, and went out on the Siesta boat... it was a blissful day, and we weren't even on dry land, before we were vowing to return. ~Jay
I so agree - when we return a boat trip will be top of our 'to do' list!
Seem you had an awesome trip minus mister Bigfoot . Hope you cover the places in ur next visit 🙂
I'd love to go back to Turkey - thanks for dropping by 🙂
You won't believe it, but when the ex-Mr. TWLG and I were there in 1976 he also came out second best after a sting - no hospitalisation but huge swelling which made it painful and uncomfortable for him to walk for a few days! Glad to see something's not changed ... and that they still have little fishes 🙂
Nasty little critters aren't they - little fishes are much nicer! 🙂
Lovely photos ... never been to Turkey ...... one of my girlfriends are there just now and she just love it.
This with infections, bugs and insects during holiday ... goes bad, because we are not used to the that type of infections. I have some serious scars from corals - and they were so infected, all because my body didn't have resistance against them.
Feel so sorry for Mr .. that had to walk around with an oversized foot in that heat.
Poor Mister didn't complain at all despite his foot and leg being twice the size up to the knee 🙁
staying at the hotel all day is a luxury i can never have when traveling with friends. that's why i prefer doing it solo.
greetings from indonesia 🙂
It's nice to take it more slowly now and then - greetings to you too!
As an accident prone traveller I can sympathise – sometimes it's quite nice to have to do nothing for a couple of days though when you can be lazy and not feel guilty about it!
Exactly! 🙂
You had quite an adventure and I'm glad everything worked out all right. It looks like you had some pretty things to barter for!
There were some lovely rugs which I had to force myself not to look at! Can never resist souvenir shops....
I went to Bodrum on a daytrip from Kos once, and remember it being one of the hottest places I've been. Ideal Efes outdoors territory!
We didn't make it to Kos - and only 20 mins on the ferry!
Poor 'Mister', as a nurse (paediatric though) I know what can happen with bad reactions to bees, wasps etc. Reading about your visit to Bodrum is making me so excited for my trip. I keep reading all these blogs about different experiences and wonder what my own will be as I can't visit everything in three weeks ! Despite the inconvenience of a hospital stay it looks like you had a really great time, oh and Efes seems to cure all ills !!
Three weeks gives you lots of time to explore - I shall pop over to your blog to learn more about your plans. You can't go far wrong with Efes and although it didn't take the swelling down it helped in other ways! Have a fantastic trip.
I didn't see much of Bodrum, Suze, as we arrived late at night and were on a week's gulet cruise the following morning. It looks a fun place. Bit too commercial? Depends what you like, doesn't it. You must be due another trip soon? 🙂
I believe that wherever you go, whatever you see, you get out what you put in so despite the Bigfoot scenario we really enjoyed Bodrum even though we didn't see all that we wanted to. I'm a glass and a half full kinda girl! It did us good to chill into the town and slow down a bit. Nothing in the pipeline until end of October - wedding to plan Jo!
Oh wow! And the big honeymoon? The world's your oyster, Suze 🙂
(sorry, I just saw your response)
Ha ha - knew you'd twig eventually! Holiday planned for end of October probably SE Asia - Thailand & Cambodia. Lucky Bunny! x
Aww, that's your favourite territory. Very happy for you, Suze. Many congratulations. 🙂
I am most likely not going to get away until much later in the year. So in the absence of an impending holiday it's very nice to read about someone else's travels ... 😉
Trouble is JAA I'm about 9 months behind with my posts! The full-time plus job gets in the way of my blog but then I need the pay cheuqe to be able to travel - double edged sword. I think I have to put a higher value on time though. Glad to have you along...
Everything can be cured with a drip here - and the medical properties of EFES are legendary 😉
Unfortunately for my Mister it wasn't EFES in the drip..... ;0)
Sorry to hear about big foot but it does look a great place to convalesce!
Bigfoot is right as rain now thankfully - it did slow us down a bit but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing...
Speaking of nasty creepy crawlies, in Greece, just outside Athens I got bitten on the back by some mosquitoes and ended up with a fearsome livid red rash all over it, fortunately our tour guide recomended some stuff called Finestron (which I have never seen anywhere else) which cleared it up without nmeeding to see a doctor
There are some nasty little critters around 🙁