Kabak Valley: relaxing like kitty-cats

During our incredible home-made Turkish dinner with Asu and family, they recommended we visit a small beach town on the Mediterranean Sea near Fethiye, due south of Istanbul about 10 hours. They promised clear water and peace and seclusion. It was time for us to get out of the busy city, so we boarded a night bus from Istanbul on our way to Kabak.

Much like Southeast Asia, the main mode of travel for locals are buses. The more luxurious companies provide all the comforts of an airplane flight, with stewards providing drinks and snakcs throughout the trip. Additionally, the buses have personal TV's on seat backs as well as wi-fi. However, there is no toilet so you stop about every 2 hours for restroom and food breaks. There is a whole economy for late night bus travel as pictured below.

We had a 30 minute hike down into Kabak Valley to reach our lodgings, Shanti Garden. For about $25 a night, we had a private bungalow with breakfast and dinner provided. From our bungalow we had a 2 minute walk to the beach! Relaxing, reading, eating, laying in the sun, and swimming...I was in heaven. We had mountains surrounding us, so Cara was happy too and was able to relax. We spent 2 days and 2 nights relaxing and recharging.
















Bust stop at night. Shopping, eating, and toilets. What else could you need.















Cara on our hike down into Kabak Valley where Shanti Garden was located just off the beach.















Our private beach. :-)















Mike enjoying the crisp blue water of the Mediterranean.















Another view of Kabak beach.















Cara enjoying her book while relaxing in a hammock. We enjoyed a few hours reading under this pavillion with a beautiful view of the cove.















Nearby is "Butterfly Island" an even more secluded beach (not an island) which can only be reached by boat. I was reading Lacuna, an amazing book by Barbara Kingsolver.















On our hired boat from Kabak Valley to Butterfly Island.















View from Butterfly Island beach. The water was very calm here and made for good swimming.















The towering cliffs that enclose Butterfly Island.



















Cara hanging out by a waterfall which plunges directly into the sea from the cliff above.















The cabanas at Shanti Garden.