Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground

Tuesday February 03, 2026

Tuesday dawned bright blue, in so many shades of blue. From the sky, to the sea, to the swimming pool, the brilliant sunshine carved out more shades of blue than one could count. We have a resident ginger kitty cat, very pregnant, very hungry, very demanding. I call her Missy and I feed her twice per day along with several others that received the memo. Missy is shy. She lets me touch her while she’s eating but otherwise keeps her distance.

Not wanting to waste such a beautiful day, we set off for Ölüdeniz Plajı (Ölüdeniz Beach), Butterfly Valley and the city of Fethiye. The route chosen took us through a beautiful forest of evergreens. The road itself a narrow paved track mostly wide enough for two vehicles to pass but risky. We climbed higher and higher, the temperature dropped and the curves became sharp hairpin turns with sheer drops to the rocks and sea far, far below. It was beautifully terrifying! I tried to get some shots. This is not the popular route to travel so there was no traffic.

Butterfly Valley was our first stop. We were high above the beach and gorge. It’s an area known for many different types of butterflies. However, we didn’t descend to the bottom to search them out.

We travelled onward and downward to sea level.

The beach is extensive and curves around into a quiet cove inhabited by paddle boats and other craft. It is highly developed and very popular in season. Luckily, this is the off-season. Very few people around and most of the venues were closed. We walked the length of the beach, explored the lagoon and decided to settle on rocky shore where the surf was less forceful and out of the direct wind. The sand is mostly very coarse to large pebbles.

And then it was time to move on to Fethiye another port city just over the hill! A certain part of my anatomy was determined it was time for food.

We found a restaurant on the port square and sat on short wood chairs and watched the world go by accompanied by a singer playing a guitar. And then we ambled around the town. The town is home to the ancient rock cliff tombs and sits on the ruins of Lycian Telmessos, the city of lights.

And now the tombs:

The day wasn’t over yet and our next stop was a natural wonder: Salikent Canyon. It’s a deep, narrow gorge with a rushing river along its bottom. A boardwalk has been constructed above the river for over a kilometre. Unfortunately, it was closed. Possibly because it’s off-season and also because of recent flooding due to the heavy winter rains.

The day ended with a calm and sunny drive home arriving in time to see the best sunset to date.

Hoşça kalın arkadaşlarım. (Goodbye my friends) Until next time.