Now who doesn't love a sunset?

The end of summer is upon us here in Turkey. Well to be honest, we are over 1 month into autumn, but you would never know that till the last week here, when it’s finally started to cool down. Fethiye is getting really quiet, the tourists all but gone and when you walk through town, if you shout out, I’m sure there would be an echo, the streets are that quiet.

I had the day off the other day and my partners boat was in harbour. I spent the day doing not much, then the afternoon doing one of my favourite things, having a sundowner at sunset. I was sitting on the back of the boat, enjoying the last of the warm sun and sipping on a nice glass of wine. Just so happened, I found a new one on the shelves that’s more than half decent, which is good for Turkey, as they are not known for their wines. Whilst sitting watching the sunset I then realised how many good ones I’ve been lucky enough to see here in Turkey.

I’m sure, worldwide, we have all seen our fair share of some pretty special sunsets along the way and I will be the first to admit that Turkey is definitely not the only place I’ve seen a spectacular sunset. But then again, I have to also admit that I have seen my fair share of some doozies here.

I am a big fan of a sunset – but then again – who isn’t? There is one sunset that always has stuck in my mind as one of the best and also one of my happiest memories of being in Turkey. It was back in 2002 when I was travelling here with a very good friend of mine from South Africa. We had both left London, after living there for 4 years, and were on our own 7-month journey back to our respected homes. We had both been to Turkey before, so this time it was a mere stopover for us to spend less (Turkey has always been cheaper than Europe) and chill out. We had spent sometime travelling to places we had seen before but also wanted to see some places we didn’t know.  One of these places was on top of Butterfly Valley, a small village called Faralya.

After a very hairy drive along the cliff edges going up to the top of the mountain, we arrived at a little family run place called Georges Place. It is still there today, from what I hear from other backpackers. I’m not great with heights, so can’t say I really enjoyed this bus journey as we were in a small mini van, doing some crazy speeds on roads running along the side of a sheer cliff drop into the ocean. We were only staying one night in Faralya and I was already not looking forward to the bus ride back the following day.  

We checked into our outdoor shack accommodation before deciding we would attempt to climb down the mountain into Butterfly Valley and go to the beach. As I said, I’m really not good with heights, so what the hell was I thinking and as you can imagine, we didn’t get very far before we decided to go back and just chill in the shade and the very minute splash pool at Georges Place. The people working there at the time said to us, be sure you don’t miss out on sunset from the cliff top.

So doing as we were told, we made our way back to the edge of the mountain in time for sunset. We found a spot to perch ourselves and than sat and took in the spectacular view of Butterfly Valley below us; and the ocean reaching out before us with the sun setting along its horizon. Not only as breathtaking as a sunset can be, but also a fond memory of sitting there with a good friend, cold drink in hand and just enjoying every minute of the natural beauty this world sometimes throws out at us.

Some other doozies of my time here in Turkey, that also rate highly would be from a spot called St Nicholas Island. Home to the real St Nicholas – Santa Claus; it’s a stop along the popular blue cruises that everyone does along the Mediterranean coastline. As I’ve done quite a few of these cruises, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy many a sunset from this vantage point. Whether it be climbing to the top of the island with all the other boat passengers, sitting with friends with a cold beer in hand or just sitting on the boats, you really would be hard pressed to NOT get a good sunset from here.

Although I could go through the whole catalogue of my memories to think of many more memorable sunsets here in Turkey, there was one just recently from my friends’ office that deserves a mention.  I was sitting there engrossed in conversation (how unlike me) when I looked up to notice outside there was an eerie colouring to everything! Running outside for a look I was blown away again; by the beauty of a natural sunset. From one end of the road, the sky was coloured (not tickled) pink and then you look to the other end of the road and coming up over the mountain is a full moon. Again another moment where you just have to be reminded of not only how beautiful nature can be at times, but hey, how good it is to be alive.

I will happily admit to you and maybe it’s now become quite obvious, that I do love sunsets. I may come across all “hippy like” or “spiritual like” to you when I say that I truly believe that a sunset is a way, for those who have gone before us to communicate something back. So yep, call me hippy, call me stupid and believe what you want, but when I sit and enjoy a sunset, it always is a super special time of day for me.

Hanging out for sunset on the top of St Nicholas Island. A popular spot for all the boat passengers, as you can see.

A sunset from the beach in Fethiye. I have so many gulet sunset shots, but can never resist taking another. 

Whether you climb to the top of St Nicholas Island for sunset or just watch from the boat - they are always good.

Hanging out with my younger brother for one of MANY sunsets at St Nicholas Island.

The sunset in Fethiye only the other week. It turned the whole place an eerie colour - now you can see why. Beautiful huh!!!

A cracking sunset with good friends, overlooking Butterfly Valley.