Two Fantastic Ways to Experience Dalyan, Turkey
Try these two fantastic ways to experience Dalyan in south west Turkey. Have a "mud bath" and take a riverboat to Turtle beach.
Dalyan is an easy day trip from the Marmaris or Fethiye (Olu Deniz) resorts of Mediterranean Turkey. A visit to Dalyan, near Turkey's South West Coast, will give you two fantastic ways to experience this region. Try a "mud bath" at Ilica and take a Riverboat trip down the Dalyan River to the famous Turtle beach.
Dalyan is a bustling resort town and takes it name from the Dalyan River (Dalyan Cayi) meaning "fishing weir". The river flows right through the town down to the coast. 10 minutes north of Dalyan is the "mud baths" of Ilica.
A visit to these baths is just great fun! You get changed into an old swimming costume (Do not take your best costume because the mud may waste it) and wade into the baths. Cover as much of your body as you can with mud and then step out of the baths for around 15 minutes. The mud hardens in the hot sun and tightens your skin in the process. Make sure someone is around to take a photo of you.
After the mud is dry, you shower the mud and dirt off your body and magically you will look 10 years younger! At least that is what they claim at the "mud baths"! They also indicate that it is good for rheumatism and gynecological disorders. After your shower go into the 40 degrees hot sulphur pool, which is really relaxing and very hot. Just enjoy yourself and chill out at the "mud baths" before taking a Riverboat trip down the Dalyan River to Turtle Beach.
The trip down the Dalyan River takes around 40 minutes, but this includes a photo stop at the Lycean Rock Tombs. The Tombs were carved into the cliffs on the east side of the River in the 4th century B.C. They are remarkably well preserved for their age and make an impressive sight. You travel onwards down the meandering river to the sands at the Turtle Beach. Here the Loggerhead Turtles (caretta caretta) breed between May and September. The beach has lovely fine sand and it is well worth going to.
Your Riverboat then returns back up the River to Dalyan. This River may look familiar to you if you have seen the film "The African Queen" starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Part of the film was shot on the Dalyan River. The River has bulrushes on either side and has an almost Everglades look to it.
The ancient Lycean Rock Tombs are carved into the hill sides.
Back in Dalyan, try and visit the superb Turtle Statue in the town center. The Dalyan people have taken to conservation and the statue is a tangible symbol of it. If you get the chance then try and visit a Turkish Carpet Shop. The Turks produce top quality "hand crafted" carpets at a fraction of the price of the big retail shops. Take advantage of this and get one shipped home!
This part of Turkey is well worth visiting, especially when you take these two ways to experience the region.
Muğla, TUR
Updated 01 August 2010 09:00
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