Holidays

Red, green, amber – I cannot keep up and have ceased to try!

Such uncertainty.

What a logistical nightmare attempting to contain infections, manage pinging, isolating, travel borders and maintaining a workforce to keep the country going. Not to mention the debate around whether to vaccinate the under 16’s or even under 12’s.

These questions, the uncertainty, the learning curve, the ever updated ‘scientific data’ and the new challenges of each stage continue to unfold before us.

The Covid induced disruption is far from done.

It’s exhausting.

And therefore the need for the holiday is more important than ever.

For me, a holiday needs to be a time and space to rest, recover, reboot and re-envision the future. I want it to be calm, peaceful and immersed in the healing and restorative powers of nature.

What I definitely do not want threatening these precious periods of time out is uncertainty, stress and potential additional costs.

And so I have written off overseas travel again this year instead opting to enjoy the beauty of the North Yorkshire Dales, away from the traffic light system.

I am so looking forward to this.

But in the meantime, I do not want to wish away this precious time for summer is my very favourite season. How I love to run through the fields, cycle through the villages and swim under the great vastness of the sky.

These little windows of respite continue to re-energise me until the larger window afforded by my holiday arrives.

Time out from the norm is now more than ever crucial.

Maybe next year, international travel will be easier …

Living with Loss

As I reflect back on my two week summer break I can see things a little clearer.

Firstly, I had been limping along toward that break for quite some time. I’d experienced some fresh issues of loss, which had triggered other losses, both of which required my attention. Neither of which got it. Instead, I had fallen in to the trap of pushing it to one side to join my pile of ‘stuff’ to be dealt with at some unallocated futuristic date.

Mistake.

Consequently, my failure to turn around and face those losses square on resulted in them doing the jack in the box thing. I noticed them, I felt them, I used much energy to shove them back down and keep going with all the things that had to be done. But not only did they not go away, they continued to pop back up, lingering in the background as a subtle underlying presence throughout.

And so, when I finally arrived at the much longed for break that I was so desperate for, instead of being greeted with a big fat joy filled holiday high, there was my unprocessed grief.

The very same grief that I had deluded myself in to thinking I could simply skip over without consequence.

Even though I know this stuff!

I didn’t recognise it at the time though.

I wondered why I was feeling rubbish when the sun was shining, the sea was shimmering and all responsibilities were well out of sight. I felt like my soul was out of sync with my surroundings.

As I was feeling a way that I didn’t want to feel, I tried hard not to feel the way that I didn’t want to feel.

And ended up feeling it even more!

Subsequently, I sought out some quieter spots from which to simply stare out to the great blue sea. It was hard to spot where the great expanse of sea ended and the sky began. But I found this sea/sky gazing super soothing.

As was the luxury of time to read the book that I never made it to book club to read or discuss. What an inspiring, amusing and overall uplifting book to indulge in.

I was also able to take immense pleasure from indulging in the most enormous cream tea I have ever laid my eyes let alone my chops on. I was most disheartened to be unable to manage all the cream. Obviously I wasn’t 100%.

The mornings saw me resisting the call of the beach for running. Instead I chose to linger in bed for as long as I could without missing breakfast. I equally relished the chance to get back in to bed early each night too. A treat indeed.

I took leisurely daily walks to the neighbouring beaches complete with drink and newspaper reading breaks en route.

As I reflect back on my experience, I can see that in the run up to the break I had dismissed my feelings for tiredness and in need of a break-ness. But of course, this assessment of the situation fell flat on its face when the break arrived and this limping feeling sharpened rather than dissipated.

And that is the down side of the increased phases where grief is not so present. I forget what it feels like. Just like when a physical problem arises then when it’s healed you forget all about it. I had enjoyed long enough without the grief to forget what it felt like. I had been too busy enjoying life to even want to spot the grief returning. Again.

Plus, after several months of feeling content, to suddenly feel that creeping sadness, felt worse than when the sadness was a regular feature.

I hate grief.

Or rather, I hate that when I fail to recognise and respond to it, I begin to lose my joy.

I especially hate being on holiday minus my joy. And this holiday most definitely did not qualify for my most light hearted or jovial of coastal retreats!

Yet as I reflect, I realise that whilst I was disappointed to be accompanied by my grief on holiday, it also forced me to slow down and have the break that I needed if not the break that I wanted.

Post holiday as I acknowledged the grip of my grief, I was able to speak to those that I needed to help me to bear it.

Following a week that provided a banquet of friendship and nourishment that went far beyond my body and supported me to release the backlog of unshed tears, I gradually began to recover my mojo.

Halleluyah!

It seems so clear to me now that every time I try to ignore my grief, I succeed only in prolonging my suffering, delaying my healing and interrupting the flow of joy.

Maybe next time I’ll deal with my sorrows as they arise rather than postpone them until the holidays!

Then again, maybe I’ll need reminding again!

Fun Therapy

It turns out that all the research I did in to which holiday to book, paid off.

With time off being so precious a chance to recharge, the last thing I want is to get it wrong and come home still tired.

But I can honestly say that where I’m usually eager to return to my beloved bungalow, this time I’d had so much fun that I was seriously reticent over returning to my responsibilities.

I wanted more play time.

The holiday started as soon as I embarked upon my train to the airport. One of the NZ family who had been visiting was getting the same train in to town to pick up the Eurostar to Paris.

I was headed straight for Gatwick to catch a plane.

My destination was Samos. This is a small, yet still unspoiled Greek Island which is quite simply, stunning.

As soon as I arrived at our resort, I was blown away by the beauty of the bay. The colour of the sea was ever changing but always beautiful. And as water is one of my favourite things, I was pleased to immediately sample a lovely pool at the Hotel too, just a few short steps from the sea itself.

I was surrounded by my favourite things; a swimming pool, the sea, the sun, great people and good food. I had everything I needed. In fact, I didn’t set foot in a shop all week. Utter bliss!

My greatest dilemma of a morning post a holiday sized breakfast, was whether to set myself up at the pool or the beach.

Divine.

The beach often won out just because it was so utterly mesmerising simply to gaze out at. Plus the sound of the water gently lapping at the shore was akin to a sense of God stroking my hair. There was something SO comforting about it that I never tired of it.

Whilst I rarely sat on my lounger, on the odd occasion I did, I promptly fell asleep!

But it didn’t happen often for the call of the sea and all you could do on, in or by it was too delicious to resist.

I started off with kayaking which I seldom seem to do these days. And it was great to swim the length of the bay and back. Such a treat for the eyeballs compared to swimming lengths in a pool!

I also joined a few others for a walk down to another bay, this one a sandy affair.

Another day, I cycled a different route to the same bay for another dip in the cooling waters.

And a little later in the week, I cycled to a white chapel overlooking another secluded bay where I took yet another dip.

One morning, I dragged myself up for a 7am paddle boarding session. I hadn’t tried it before and have been wanting to for some time so I thought sunrise was as good a time as any to try! I wasn’t disappointed. The silence alone was sacred.

Having thrown myself in to everything on offer including the early paddle board, I’d totally worn myself out by my mid week so I had to take a very early night!

Then after watching someone having a windsurfing lesson, I decided this was a great opportunity for me to have a go. So I did! Apparently I have good core strength and balance as I was able to stand up and windsurf a little on my first lesson. The pilates IS paying off!

In lesson two, after repeatedly falling in the sea and repeatedly clambering (unelegantly) back on to the board, I finally managed to fly across the sea for some distance before landing back in the sea’s cooling embrace. By which point, I noticed how far I’d come out and that I had no clue how to windsurf back the other way!! Fortunately, the lovely young man who had taught me swiftly appeared in a motor boat to tow me back.

After that, said youngster took myself and another lady out on a cat (?) where I could simply laze on the side enjoying the view and the breeze.

Such fun!!

And that was just the fun of the daytimes.

Each evening at 5.00pm and 8.45pm, I attended dance lessons where we learned social foxtrot, the waltz, the cha-cha-cha, the rumba and the jive.

It was just an explosion of FUN, FUN, FUN!!

I did skive off a couple of 5pm classes as I wanted to lounge around in the evening sunshine but otherwise I attended the lot, learned heaps and laughed masses!

The entire experience was a treat of the highest order.

Total fun therapy!

And now of course, it is time to plan the next one!

A glimpse of summer

What a treat this recent weather has been.

On the first day of my week off, I walked up to a local garden centre to meet a friend for what turned out to be THE most delicious green soup. Like ultra tasty. It was also accompanied by equally nourishing conversation, all enjoyed under God’s great sky.

After the refuel, we took a casual meander through the local woods where we ended up overlooking the blue lagoon. The stunning blue backdrop of sky combined with the sun shimmering off the water was the only incentive needed to scramble down from where we were to where the water was.

As we drew closer, the wind dropped, the sun beamed and the invitation to enter the water was simply too appealing to decline.

Whilst I whipped off my boots and socks and paddled around in the cooling waters, my friend whipped off everything and I do mean EVERYthing and proceeded to go for the whole body immersion approach. Yowsers!

‘Is it as cold as it looks?’, I enquired.

‘Yes, even more so’. He replied complete with a very manly roar and a proclamation that, ‘it’s good to be alive!’.

Agreed!

Indeed it is.

Especially on days like those spent amongst the majesty of God’s great playground.

In fact, as we lay on the shore surveying the scene of shimmering stars bouncing off the water, there was a distinctly summer holiday-esque feel to the moment.

Free from schedules, responsibility or time checks, how wonderful it was to simply stop, look, listen and savour it all.

Fan-blooming-tastik!

Following another day of freedom to roam the countryside at leisure, I spent the next day in London where we celebrated a friends’ 60^th with a trip to the Freud museum followed by a delectable lunch. Yum.

After one more day of wild field roaming, it was time for my trip to the Isle of Wight with a friend.

What a truly stunning place.

A lazy if uncharacteristically hot first afternoon was spent at a Donkey Sanctuary. Noisy buggers when they get going.

I was delighted to discover a gift shop and tearoom on site; two of my favourite places. Here I indulged in a super tasty cream tea.

After checking in to our accommodation we headed straight to the beach where the scenes we entered were fresh off a postcard.

An early start on Saturday morning enabled me to take a horse riding lesson on the beach under the glow of the morning sunshine. Just fabulous.

I opted for a leisurely meander back to base along the coast where I stumbled upon a quaint cafe and gift shop overlooking the harbour. I whiled away some time sipping my tea and savouring the view.

One of the things I love most about the water is the way it gets me to simply be still, to immerse myself in the sight of the sun upon the water. It never loses its appeal.

The next day saw us off to the National Trust site of the Needles where we took a chair lift to the beach and a boat ride to photograph the Needles. Although the rock after which they were named has long since been destroyed by a storm. So they don’t look anything like needles.

Back on the beach I tentatively stumbled across the stony beach to paddle in the sea which obviously saw me coming and produced an enormous wave which soaked my dress!! Fortunately, the whole ‘hottest Easter in 70 years’ thing meant it was quick to dry.

It was a wonderful weekend made even more so by the fact that it was Easter. Beyond the eggs and holidays, it is a time of such hope and renewal that in spite of all the trials and tragedies of life, we can still experience the fullness and richness of all life has to offer. How grateful I am that Jesus endured what He did that we don’t have to settle for some half hearted life but can instead embrace and enjoy it all.

The gift of appreciation is totally priceless.

Monday saw us encounter a Roman villa, a small art exhibition, more tearooms, more food, more gift shops, a waterfall and a straight forward journey home.

How wonderful to make time to play, rest and explore.

The Seaside Soul Massage

As I had almost two clear, work free days this week, I decided to take another trip to the coast.

Leaving straight from work on Monday evening, I arrived at my B & B in time for a cup of tea on the balcony. Here I savoured the feel of the cool evening air on my skin and the sound of the waves in the distance.

My soul began to breathe easy again.

Tuesday dawned cloudy and rough looking. Perfect full cooked breakfast weather. Such an utter indulgence to have your breakfast served to you. Lush-tastik.

Following a post breakfast period of horizontality I coaxed myself out in to the day. After a leisurely walk along the coast, I took up residence in a sea facing pub to savour a hot pot of tea whilst devouring the newspaper. The arrival of the lunch time crowd signalled time for my departure.

The wind was pretty biting so when I discovered a sheltered area from which to enjoy the warmth of the sun, the sound of the sea and the feel of the sand, I engaged in one of my favourite pastimes; watching the clouds do their thing.

Unfortunately the pot of tea I’d just had dictated that I moved on before I wanted to. But a short distance on I was delighted to discover a lifeless looking sea front cafe was actually open. And there was no one in it other than the owner. Perfect! More tea was consumed along with the luxury of unhurried reading.

As I was now nearing 4pm my stomach was making demands for more fuel.

A short walk in to town allowed me to source some fresh cod and chips which I devoured in a beautiful flower filled park. The wind was rather reducing my pleasure of feasting though.

So, when I caught myself buying a bag of 3 hot donuts I decided to return to the shelter of my balcony back at the accommodation. From here I savoured the donuts (yes all three) washed down with yes, more tea. Dee-licious.

I decided to take full advantage of the increase in daylight by taking another walk the other way up the coast. I was met with the most stunning of seaside sights. God never fails to leave me in awe of the beauty and wonder of His creation.

After this I returned to my balcony to sit and absorb the last of the evening sunshine. Glorious.

When Wednesday morning’s alarm sounded what is becoming an increasingly irritating noise, I resisted the temptation to roll over for an extra hours slumber. Instead I dragged myself out for a pre-breakfast run. The training for the half marathon isn’t going to happen whilst I sit around inhaling chips and donuts.

My reward was the delight of discovering it was a beautiful, blue skied, sunshine shimmering off the sea kind of a morning. What a stunningly fantabulous scene to be met with.

Back at my B & B I had time for another breakfast and a spot of writing on the balcony before checking out.

As the sun was twinkling enticingly over everything I took another very windy walk along the coast.

After which I was relieved to stumble upon another seafront cafe where I could enjoy some respite from the wind and sip a warming mug of tea.

And then it really was time to return to the car for my homeward journey.

How I love time out to nourish my soul.

And I don’t have to wait long for a proper stretch of time off.

Sand, Sea-gazing and elasticated waists

Following a full on seven weeks of post NZ work, play and not enough rest and I found myself summoned by the sea again.

How could I refuse?

After an uneventful journey down, I was met by the sight of a decidedly dark and gloomy looking seafront. Not to be deterred, I found myself a suitable sea gazing spot from which to fill my boots with a freshly served carvery. You can’t beat a roast that some other bugger has cooked and cleaned up after.

Feeling eager, I ventured out for a post lunch stroll along the beach. It was enlivening!

I couldn’t resist using an abandoned stick to write a title in the sand for some teaching I’m preparing. Fun!

But it wasn’t long before the weight of my dinner along with the force of the wind saw me briskly succumbing to the call of my seafront B & B.

Inside, I got in to the perfect Sunday afternoon position; elasticated waist pj’s on, kettle on, TV on, phone off and snacks and newspapers at the ready.

As it was I got to spend the afternoon enjoying a young Sean Connery in ‘You only live Twice’, as well as having a view straight out to sea.

Divine!

A very leisurely, relaxing afternoon and evening followed.

The next morning the east coast sunshine burst through the curtains of my room. Of course, I started it with the obligatory full monty.

The sight of the sunshine shimmering across the sea was too much to resist. I’m not sure where Freya was but I was pleased she wasn’t here.

I ambled down to the sand where I proceeded to slowly meander my way in to the distance, stopping only to take in the sight, sound and smell of the sea. Sense-sational.

How I love free time to be beside the sea.

I relished the luxury of sitting down to read a newspaper each day, with the added bonus of a sea view.

Simple treats.

I ate lovely food and I spent a lot of time staring out to sea and revelling in the freedom from all responsibilities.

As ever, it was over too quick.

But, the next trip is in sight!

A room with no view …

Here I am again.

Answering the call of the coast. I’ve lasted almost two months but it was time to return to the sea. A trip to break up the post summer, pre Christmas stretch.

I’ve got in to the habit of returning to the same places throughout this year that I discovered throughout last year. I couldn’t quite muster the required energy to explore new territory before now.

But this time, I decided to go for it. Explore a new place.

Leaving at 6am on Sunday morning, I enjoyed a straight forward and quiet journey down. Apart from the worrying light on my dashboard that looked suspiciously like there was a problem with a tyre. Damn. Drove extra cautiously as a result, promising myself that I’d address it once there. Not ideal I know!

Anyway, I opted to check out another coastal resort en route to my destination. As I was greeted by a vast expanse of beach stretching on for miles, I took myself for what could only be described as a bracing walk!

Spotted some guys doing what I imagine may be called kite surfing. It looked exhilarating if totally freezing.

Happened upon a little beach front café with a comfy sofa facing the sea. Perfect for a top up of hot tea.

Walked back rather briskly in order to beat the time on the car park ticket. How I hate paying for parking! It wasn’t straight forward either. The sign next to the metre gave a number to call and a code to quote to arrange the parking fee. Yet when I called it, they didn’t recognise the code. Not even when I attempted it another two times. Aaargh! And then when I did arrive back at the car park, I couldn’t find my car! A few moments of panic later and I managed to locate it exactly where I left it, on the floor directly where I had been looking. Saved myself a potentially very embarrassing phone call to the local authority. Phew!

Arrived at my sea facing accommodation to the sight of a car parking space directly outside. Relieved.

Checked in to the Hotel and immediately checked out my room. Old fashioned, dark wood furniture, autumnally coloured window drapes and a surprisingly modern en suite. But alas, whilst the window was tall to match the high ceiling, it also had absolutely no view. All I could see was what looked and smelt like some equipment to do with the extractor for the kitchen, to the left and a wall to the right. If I looked right to the top, I could see a tiny expanse of sky. Disappointing. The bathroom window was even worse with the necessary non see through bathroom style windows.

For someone who loves to be outside, not being able to at least see the great outdoors was utterly dismal.

Not to be deterred, I left the light deprived nature of the room to investigate the nearby harbour and town.

Had a little browse around a charity shop where I treated myself to a pack of three rather attractive pairs of new socks. I’m sick of seeing the worn out unmatching offerings that are usually adorning my feet.

Further explorations led me to discover a wonderful little place to satisfy my craving for a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings. It totally delivered.

Once I’d got a newspaper, I took a slow meander back to the room for the evening as my early start was catching up with me.

The next day I enjoyed the luxury of getting up at a leisurely alarm free pace to wander down to the sea front establishments.

Found a suitable seat with a proper view from which to enjoy the mandatory cooked breakfast whilst reading Sunday’s leftover magazines.

It was so utterly relaxing, aided by the nearby presence of a ‘free refill on hot drinks’ machine, that it wasn’t until two hours later that I felt the urge to get moving again.

I set off up the coast to the next coastal resort.

Rain was threatening on and off but I made it to another very acceptable sea facing café complete with a window seat to host my next pot of tea and slice of most tasty orange and chocolate cake. Just before the next down pour. More magazines. And another room with a proper view to facilitate more sea gazing time.

Eventually embarked upon the return walk where I noticed a rainbow on three separate occasions in three different places.

Here.

And here, faintly above the houses to the left.

And here too.

A hattrick of them!

Had a last coffee out overlooking the harbour before returning to my viewless accommodation for an evening of film and easy watching TV.

Awoke on day three to the sound of the rain hammering on the viewless window. Usually I’d find such a sound cosy, but in this room, it felt depressing. I needed to leave the room.

Spurred on by the wet and windy weather, I headed for the Hotel gym. Bizarrely, even the windows in here were not the type of glass you could actually look out of! Aarggh.

I followed up my work out with a pot of tea at a table overlooking the wild and dirty looking sea. Here I took the liberty of reading the Hotel newspaper. But not for long as my stomach insisted I take it out for a feed.

In this weather, the only thing to do was to sample the local award winning fish and chip shop. It was good. And certainly silenced my stomach for a bit.

Afterwhich I sought out yet another window with a proper view to accompany me for some more reading. If I can’t get out to be by the sea, I at least want a window through which to look at it!

Finally, I returned to my hotel fifteen minutes too late for a cream tea. Gutted!

My last morning dawned bright and sunny!

So, following a hearty breakfast, I set off for my journey home.

And I was delighted to be back in my beloved bungalow!

Sea & Solitude

Following an incredibly sociable birthday, I was in need of some serious solitude.

Cue, a trip to the coast.

It didn’t disappoint.

My B & B room offered a balcony with a seaview. Proper lushness!

Obviously my first stop was for cod and chips. Would have been frightfully rude not to.

Eaten under the opportunistic gaze of this fella. Who left empty beaked.

After that lot, I was in dire need of a little rest.

So I had one here.

And another there.

Before returning to my room for a rare night of TV!

Day two saw my intended walk rained off so instead I drove to a near by village to check out their Art & Craft Centre. I love those places.

Saw some great signs.

Upon my return, I took myself off to a seafront establishment where I enjoyed food for eye and soul.

Before heading off for another sea front stroll.

I just never get tired of scenes like these.

But eventually felt the call for more food. Opted for a trip to McDonalds. Easy. Or so I thought. Little did I know that it had changed somewhat in the years since I last visited! Firstly, most people were ordering from intimidating looking flashy screens. I opted for a human. Then there was the business of attempting to choose something off a menu that doesn’t stay still. Mid reading it, it changes to a different page. Aaargh.

Anyway, I eventually managed to order some chicken things. But five minutes after paying, I was still waiting (impatiently) for my human to bring me my food. As I surveyed the room, I noticed that there was an Argos style kiosk where people took their receipts up to collect their food upon their number being called. Oh! I fished my receipt back out from the bottom of my bag and hey presto, mine was ready! How times move along without me!

Anyway, day three dawned bright and hopeful looking so I set off for my eight mile walk along the coast.

I was greeted by these.

And then at one point I had stunning green countryside to my left and the calm endless mass of sea to my right. A feast in all directions.

No matter how far I walked there was more spectacular sights to see.

It was a fab walk.

Came back for a relaxing film evening before my last day where I arose for a sunrise run along the sea front. Fantastic!

Enjoyed one last cup of tea from my balcony.

A lot of time was spent walking but an equal amount was spent with my feet in their favourite position whilst my eyes and belly feasted on all that was to offer.

I left feeling full and ready for my return to work.

Turkish Delights …

Before my recent holiday to Turkey I had always found Turkish Delight to be rather revolting. However, I discovered that real Turkish, Turkish Delight is actually very tasty. At least in my opinion! A case of the authentic Turkish variety being vastly superior to our English adaptation.

Aside from the official Turkish Delight, I also got to sample many of the other delights that Turkey has to offer.

Having arrived around 3.30am, we decided to treat our tired selves to the Turkish Bath experience on that first night.

Wow!

It was wonderfully delicious.

First off we spent five minutes in the sauna to open our pores before being taken in to a Hammam – a public bathing space, hence unfortunately I could not take any photo’s. But it was a large room with a huge marble, circular, tiled ‘bath’ area where we each laid around the outskirts with our own pillows. From here we could look up to the impressively decorated ceiling.

On here, our own designated ‘bather’ came and poured wonderfully warm water all over us, before coating us in a salt based product which with the aid of an exfoliating cloth, was used to remove our dead skin. This was the only part that was a little uncomfortable. But it was quickly followed by a soothing foam bath where these large contraptions were waved over us covering us in the foam. Lastly we were rinsed off with more water before having our hair washed. It was not unlike being a giant baby being bathed on a huge marble slab!

Very nice!

As we got up, we were towelled down before being taken to a massage room where we were treated to a Balinese massage with oils. To end the experience we were given a gold face mask to remove our dead facial skin.

The whole experience started and ended with Turkish Apple tea and Turkish Delight.

It was utter indulgence throughout, the likes of which I could totally get used to! A huge thumbs up! I would totally recommend it for anyone who enjoys being pampered!

A great way to relax in to the holiday.

We stayed in a Hotel within the resort village of Oludeniz in the Mugla Province on the South West coast. The resort was nestled within a bay overlooked by the Babadag Mountain. It was beautiful, with a five minute walk down through the shops, to the Belcekiz beach. There was enough on hand to be interesting without being a huge, overcrowded affair.

Perfect!

I took great pleasure in starting each morning with a forty five minute swim in the Hotel’s fabulous pool which I mostly had entirely to myself, with the exception of a local meower that took to sitting on the side watching me. I was also able to take in the view of the surrounding mountains accompanied by a colourful assortment of paragliders. A truly great way to wake up and start any day for someone like me who loves the water and the mountains.

Breakfast was a colourful, fresh fruit filled affair enjoyed overlooking the pool and being overlooked by the mountains. Top notch.

In fact, all of the meals were good. I always experience it to be such a treat to have an array of fresh foods all prepared and displayed for my sampling. As much as I love experimenting with new recipes, I equally love to be spared the shopping, preparing, cooking and cleaning up process! And as I eat as much with my eyes as my belly, I appreciated the colours of the food and the backdrop of mountains.

One of the first things I noticed was the mass of paragliders adorning the skies. This is something I had wanted to experience ever since I read about it last year within a Paulo Coelho fiction book. It was on offer in Slovenia where I went last year but I wasn’t in the space to do it. Yet here in Oludeniz, it was so accessible it would have been rude not to take advantage of the opportunity so I immediately bit the bullet and booked up.

When the day arrived for my scheduled flight, the wind was up too much to allow it to go ahead (and I don’t mean mine).

So I had to wait another day and try again. I went off feeling excited and apprehensive. It took around forty five minutes in a bus to get to the top of the mountains. This was super hairy. The roads had sheer drops down the mountains which did absolutely nothing to help my nerves. I took to uttering repeat panic prayers. As if God is deaf and didn’t hear my first cry for protection!

Anyway, we finally reached the top which was a building site with some portaloo’s positioned right on the edge. Most portaloo’s don’t offer a relaxing experience but these took unpleasant to a new ‘high’. Visions of them falling backwards down the cliffs didn’t help me to use them! At times like these, my vivid imagination doesn’t feel to be quite the gift it usually is!

Anyway, finally, I was ready. Sort of. In a quivering knee’s kind of a way. There was a white concrete area sloping down in to absolutely nothing with the tree clad mountains underneath. Once harnessed to my pilot and paraglider I was asked to walk down this slope. Gulp. Was I mad? My legs didn’t particularly want to comply with this request. It’s not exactly natural is it? But with the help of two guys either side of me I was able to slowly make my way on to and down the slope. I’d like to say I was super courageous and excited but I would be blatantly lying! I was totally terrified! The fact that taking the paraglider down felt a decidedly safer option than the bus, spurred me on. That and more repeat, panic prayers that went something like this, ‘HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME GOD!!! Repeated multiple times as if God suffers from amnesia.

Somehow, within an instant we were in the air soaring high above the mountains. My mind was caught between sheer terror at the unnaturalness of the situation and the desire to relax in to the experience. My pilot said to me, ‘we are flying Jo, up within the geothermals (what?) where the eagles soar.’ ‘Relax Jo’, he encouraged me. ‘I’m trying’, I replied in a shaky voice. I mean, it was spectacular but it took some time to relax past the terror in to the joy of it.

But eventually once I realised there was no longer any need to be afraid of falling because we were actually flying, I could relax and enjoy the stunning scenery below.

WOW, WOW, WOW.

It was magical!

Not unlike the skydive I did in NZ over a decade ago. Although the ascent up was definitely more terrifying for this. Although this was from 6500 ft where the sky dive was from 15000ft! A tad higher! But this was one of the highest places in the world from which to do paragliding.

It was quite something. And I’m glad I did it. And even gladder I survived it!

Later that day, we took a sunset jeep safari. This involved a trip to a local village called Kaya where we learned about the history of the Greek and Turkish people having their happy cohabiting arrangement broken by the Government. Yet all these hundred of years later their houses still remain, derelict but partially intact. The Greeks were apparently excellent stone makers, to which these sturdy houses make testament.

Next up we were tearing around the mountain roads with no apparent concern for the sheer drops surrounding us. My imagination worked against me once more and I had to enjoy the views with my eyes closed! My friend enquired, ‘are you going to be sick Jo?’. No, I replied I just need to keep my head down, my eyes closed and make intermittent whimpering sounds!! But seriously, I felt safer paragliding than I did in that jeep!! God must have thought my prayer record from earlier in the day had got stuck on repeat.

Eventually we arrived at the end of the road as high as it was possible to go. I relished the view whilst trying to forget we still had to survive the journey back down!

After some more hairy driving, we arrived at our dinner destination with our table just a few feet from the sea. To accompany our traditional Turkish feast of bread, chicken, meat and salad, was a Turkish hen party complete with Turkish dancing.

During the stunning sunset, the guy opposite us on the table took off to propose to his lady, to which she agreed! A beautiful moment to share with them! So romantic!

The next day we took off for our sailing trip on a beautiful, rather posh boat. We were taken to four different bays where we could enjoy the stunning turquoise if rather chilly sea waters.

More traditional Turkish food followed by a very non Turkish Magnum ice cream! Yum. Just as I was beginning to need a break from the hot sun beating down upon the top deck, the guys came and put the sails up which rather conveniently covered me with their welcome shade. From here I could simply sit back and enjoy the view and the breeze.

Fantabulous!

This was the last of our trips so we spent the rest of our time in Turkey relaxing and enjoying the pool, food and Hotel entertainment including a night of traditional Turkish dancing. Which obviously we joined in and had a go at. No idea what I was doing but I enjoyed it regardless!

Got talking to a Turkish man also on his holidays. A guy who took two years out to train as a Radiographer’s technician. I respect anyone who is willing to invest in doing the work of making changes in their life. We enjoyed some interesting if language limited conversations via his translation app!

Two of his sayings which I particularly liked were:

You can make friends wherever you go, so long as you are sincere.

Everything is beautiful in God’s great timing.

Anyway, the holiday drew to a close all too quickly as all good things do.

But it was fun packed and I loved it.

Fun, rest and play are SO rejuvenating.

And Turkey was indeed full of delights!