Olympus, Turkey

-Of Treehouses, the Meditteranean Sea and Unexplored Ruins

Olympus is a great place for outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing and rock-climbing. Too bad we were there during the low season.

The two nights we spent in the Kadir’s Tree Houses were super comfy. The mattresses were very good and the comforter ultra plush. We had the choice to sleep in a shared dormitory treehouse, or a bungalow next to the treehouse with attached bathroom. Having travelled for many hours, we opted for comfort over the authentic treehouse.

We decided to just chill out and relax in Olympus since the Mediterranean sea and explore the ruins were just a few kilometres down the road.

The next morning, we strolled to the Mediterranean Sea and the sea view was awesome. Wei Chean and I climbed to the top of a cliff and were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Mediteranean sea. We left Arlina mid-way as her height-phobia prevented her from climbing further.

Many tourists were happily relaxing and sun-tanning themselves along the coast. Wei Chean and I were busy admiring the interestingly-shaped pebbles. I chose some really pretty stones, as a little gift for my supervisor, Lena who had graciously approved my one-month leave and covered my duties during my absence.

The Meditterranean sea was breathtakingly stunning, we picked stones, played in the clear blue water and explored the nearby ruins which reveal the civilizations way before our times.

There, we met a shopowner who had retired from Tirestone after working there for 25 years and decided opened a little shop selling his specially made jewelleries and his wife's clay items. The shop was a simple shack, with bamboo curtains, basic but nice. He could speak simple English. One of the necklaces caught my eye, it was a slice of dried lemon, with some luminous colouring. I hesitated, thinking I could buy it the next day if I really wanted it. Too bad, I've "missed the boat" though. I went to his shop which was just around the corner three times the next day to be greeted by closed curtains.

We also met a Malaysian gal and her Australian husband who had just been to Cappadocia. They had taken the hot-air balloon in Cappadocia and said that though it was expensive, it was worth the money. I was more interested in parasailing or paragliding but it was equally expensive. We decided that we would find other more economical ways of entertaining ourselves.

Lazing around at Kadir’s Tree Houses was equally enjoyable. Hearing the knocking and drilling sounds, the happy whistling of the workers, while sipping tea amidst the Persian cushions and carpets in the wooden shed is blissful.