Beaches and Camel Wrestling: Perfect Holiday in Turkey
Turkey had always been an enigma in my mind. Perched on the fence of two continents and stuffed with cultural diversity, Turkey brought forth visions of Mediterranean beaches like those found in Greece, yet age old traditional festivals like Camel wrestling in Arabia. I have always favored the impromptu and un-researched trip over the planned itinerary, stick to a schedule routine. My first trip to Turkey would have to forgo a little of the spontaneity in order to absorb so much in so little time. While a week on one of the 385 beaches was sure to be great, I was looking for Turkey Holidays that would provide me with the full range that this Mediterranean nation with Middle East influence had to offer.
My wife and I began our tag team research. While I poured through travel guides online; both of us compiling plenty of information to ensure a great trip. We decided to split our favorite choices so that we both got the most out of out holiday to Turkey. I failed to tell her that some of her choices were mine as well….all is fair in love and holidays.
My mind was set on soaking up plenty of steam in a traditional Hammam. It was the first order of the day after our arrival in Istanbul. What better way to wash away the jet lag. I had visited many Russian saunas, but the Turkish Hammam was a pleasantly different experience. After donning a sarong like cotton wrap I was led to a warming room with several beautifully ornate tile bathing alcoves. After a warm up and relaxation period I was led to a basin where a petite woman as strong as a sailor scrubbed me down to a different color than when I walked in. Followed by a massage and a cooling off room I was left relaxed and refreshed, no thoughts of jet lag whatsoever.
It was time to hit the beaches. We opted for one of the upscale party atmosphere locations first. Taking a boat to Buzada we ended up poolside all day with a 360 degree view of Istanbul. Pricey but worth it we ended the day with sushi at Suada and a couple hours of dancing. Not the relaxation we had our minds set on, but certainly a fantastic experience.
The next morning we decided to spend the day shopping in Istanbul because the next day included a 10 hour drive to Selcuk for my top holiday event, Camel Wrestling. Our arrival in Ephesus, Selcuk, was filled with anticipation. The ancient festival of Camel Wrestling started with a parade and ended with a female camel in heat brought out in front of the males. The males would “wrestle” for the lovely lady’s favor. It was an exciting event that had me going back again and again for BBQ cooked over large cans. There was too much excitement to find out what it was; delicious was all I needed to know.
The crowds gone it was time for some real Turkey beach action. Just a few miles from Selcuk, on the Aegean Sea, we came to Pamucak Beach. Surprisingly, visitors were few and far between. The waves strong and violent washed in churning up the water to a cloudy rolling mass of thundering hammers pounding the beach. The mild winter sun was perfect for a full day of lounging. This was the beach vacation we were looking for.
The rest of our holiday was a mixture of ancient Roman ruins and Byzantine battlegrounds; a historians dream. But it was the Camel Wrestling and the beautiful beaches that will always hold a reserved spot in my memory of the perfect holiday in Turkey.
Camel Wrestling – Selcuk, Turkey from Jonathan Makiri on Vimeo.
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