It's Hot!!

June 12 & 13

Where is the beach? Izmir is Hot!
Summer is fast approaching and the days are in the 30s ºc (86-103ºf).  If you are without a car the beaches are not far and easily reached by city bus and dolmuş. If you have a car the beaches less populated and plentiful. This weekend we did did some comparisons.

Saturday we were 7 and we headed out by dolmuş to Ilıca beach. It's about 1hr  west of Izmir on the Çeşme Peninsula. The sea is quite shallow for a good distance and the sun warms the water. It is a bit crowded but when you have such a beautiful place with food and beverage service...everyone will be there!

 After a full day of relaxation and swim we hopped another dolmuş and ventured into Ilıcatı for the sunday market and a bit to eat at a street side cafe.

On Sunday we took the car.

We were traveling with Turkish friends and it was off to the Urla pennisula stopping first at a garden kahvalti (breakfast) cafe. It is possible to take a dolmuş to Urla, but not to the beach. We sat under the shade of some fruit trees and enjoyed a long slow breakfast of cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, village bread and tea. Then it was off to findDenizyıldızı Plaj (sea star beach). Amazing snorkeling. Beautiful beach, good friends and a few nail biting tavla (backgmmon) games.
When you have to beat the heat - beat it with a beach....Ahhhh Turkey!