Donuz

I can’t help thinking if there are places that are still undiscovered in Turkey… Actually, I can’t help thinking if there are undiscovered places in the world… I must be coming from far behind the rest of the world. It seems as if I am merely fooling myself, whenever I think that I am the first inhabitant of some place. Is it my age? Monetary circumstances? Or, is it the imbedded laziness of my soul that I am so very behind all those explorers of the world?

Whatever… Last week, I had the privilege to think that I had just discovered this hidden germ in  Datça: the Gabaklar Beach. However, I had to find out too soon that it was already discovered by Spanish adventure seekers, young English couples and many Agean families. Nevertheless, having come to this little germ off-season, I still had that privilege to pamper my lazy soul.

Gabaklar Beach is one of the many small bays of the Mesudiye village in Datça. The easiest mode of travel to this golden place is by taking off at least two weeks of your work and life, and coming down here with your car slowly and cheerfully, stopping here and there every now and then. Maybe a stop at Susurluk to eat toast and drink ‘ayran’ (special Turkish drink made out of yogurt and salt), and then at Akhisar for lunching over meatballs at Ramiz, and then another stop at Sirince to buy locally produced food (pomegranate sauce, wine, fruits etc.) and Efes to pay a visit to the historical sites… Once you have a car, Datça will become more enjoyable as well, since in this “in-the-middle-of-nowhere” type of place, a car will become handy to connect you to somewhere, or to make further excursions into the heart of nowhere. Another possible way for travel is to come here by boat (your own boat, a rented boat or preferably a friend’s boat :)). Then, you can swim to the shore, eat a healthy and delicious meal, hang around with a can of beer or glass of good Turkish wine during sunset and swim back to your boat and hang around on your boat with more wine and more Sun. Or, you may be as tired as my mom or as frustrated as myself of eating on the go and rushing all the time, if all you are really after is unbracing yourself by the beach, then come with the plane. From Dalaman airport, arrange for a taxi or a private driver to take you to the Gabaklar Beach for a fair price (fair price ranges between 55 to 85 euros, lasting 2 and a half hours). Otherwise, you may take the airport shuttle Havas until Marmaris (10 euros per person) and from Marmaris the minibus (around 5-10 euros per person) to Datca. From Datca, the hotel owner Mr. Avci will pick you up for another 15 euros. With all the waiting times this may take up to 3 and a half hours.

By whichever method you choose to arrive, you will have at your disposal homemade jams, bread and honey; organic tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers; fresh cheese and eggs for breakfast… Followed by fresh fish alla griglia (grilled with garlic and lemon sauce), various appetizers prepared from organic roots and grasses from the garden and with virgin olive oil of the region.

To spice up your day, you may go running everyday into the little wood behind the settlement, or go hiking on the mountains surrounding the beach. Whichever you do, you will be surprised with a marvelous view.

The settlement on the beach is a family foundation and consists of 12 bungalows and 8 small rooms. The Avci family, which owns and runs the place, have settled down here 15 years ago. Lasting for few years without any guests, their fate has made a U turn, when a bar owner in Istanbul stumbled upon their place. Overwhelmed by the beauty of the place, this person has kept coming back and bringing friends and loved ones with himself.

The nearest bay is called Hayitbükü. Here are 2 small hotels with fish restaurants, 2 cafes for afternoon teas and beers, and a market. Hayitbükü is at walkable distance from the Gabaklar Beach, however, the kill leading up to it is a killer. It is more preferable to take the water bike from the Gabaklar Beach and bike until the bay, which lasts no more than 10 minutes. And, it is always possible to jump into the cold water to get refreshed on the way.

Finally, an ideal place to read a book, to sleep, to do yoga, to think, to write, to cook, to eat, to dive, to fish, in order words to take a holiday.

For more information:

TEL:  0 252 728 0158

TEL-FAX: 0 252 728 0171

ADRES: Mesudiye Kızılbük-DATÇA / MUĞLA

WEB:  http://www.gabaklar.com.tr

E-MAİL: gabaklarsevgi@hotmail.com