Karacaoren Buku (Bay) in the top 10 places to hang

Al Reid, otherwise known as Google Meister. If we want to know anything about the place we are in or where we are going, just ask Al.

14 Nautical Miles from Fetiye is a bay called Gamiler Adasi where there are a number of anchorages, a lagoon where anchoring is not permitted and a 2000 meter mountain off which as Al and Google discovered, there were to be the annual paragliding and base jumping championships.

So at 12:45 on Monday the 20th October, we cast off and motored down there. The comp was to start on the following day, we hadn't decided on which anchorage we would choose but when we turned to take a look at Karacaoren Bay we were going no further that day.

This is quite simply my kinda place. The bay is protected from the prevailing winds. The water is as you see here. The facilities are primitive but entirely complete and very comfortable, the staff are efficient, professional and laid back.

It consists of a dining room, kitchen, bar, lounge, kids play area and grocery store all in one big covered balcony which overlooks the bay. So inviting, that no sooner had we got set, Al and I swam ashore, ordered a bottle of Rose', plonked ourselves down at the sunny end and exhaled in unison.

This place has a self sufficiency about it. Goats for cheese, sheep for eating, chickens for eggs and eating. They make their own bread in wood fired ovens where the most delicious meals are also cooked and a main comes with mezzes.

They have a really decent wine supply, essential in a place like this as we would spend a fair bit of time on that balcony.

We were delighted to find that they are open all year round because we will be back.

The loo, a climb up the hill behind the main building where, if you are not disturbed you sit with the door open and take in the bay below with the boats at their moorings, beyond the bay east along the coast the shimmering Mediterranean. To your left, the imposing 2000 meter Mount Babadag off which the paragliders popped like colourful bubbles from a child's toy.

This was a place we would have to bring Sally back to when she returned from Australia.

The next morning we tried to get the schooling done as we slowly made our way over to Olu Deniz, the town at the base of Babadag. The sight was awesome.

At any one time there would have been 50 or more paragliders in the air all doing amazing aerobatics and school for the day ended early.

We anchored a short dingy ride from the town in a small protected nook called Yurgun Burnu and made our way over to the beach. Never try to beach a dingy in breaking waves. I'll leave it at that, but suffice to say, we spent the rest of the day in wet clothes.

As we arrived we noticed a shop advertising tandem paragliding flights. Lily had said she'd love to try this and naturally Al was game... Please, please Dad can we have a go... Please please as I nearly lost the sleeve to my shirt.

"Kids, they'll never allow kids of your age or size to go tandem so just get a hold of yourselves". I asked the guy, kinda hoping he'd back me up on this one, but nope. This is no nanny state.... "Sure, why not? We go in ten minutes". And the kids went ballistic. Having been a hang glider pilot, I was way too cool to be going tandem in a jelly fish, but now that the kids were going there was no way I was busing back down that mountain. Ten minutes later we were on our way and if anybody was nervous about the impending 2000 meter flight, the bus ride certainly put paid to that. This guy had driven this road before and was clearly unconcerned that we hadn't. I'll let the YouTube video tell that story. Al has put together a video you really should watch after reading this post.  Paragliding Video

The Take off area










Summer Amy looking very please with herself!

William Colin likewise!

Al Reid, and just take a look at that view!










.... and Lily Rose looking very comfortable.











Gregory being very uncool going tandem in a jelly fish and loving it. The pilot was kind enough to let me fly the thing and then he took me on a wild ride. Once again I'll leave that one to YouTube. Paragliding Video

So, in Sally's absence they have been up the mast, got around on scooters and flown off a 2000 meter mountain.... Hmmm perhaps she should stay with the boat?