From the depths of the ocean to the mountain tops

Up bright and early to head out on the boat for scuba diving. This was going to be my first dive since becoming certified, so I was keen to jump straight in and be submerged underwater. Conveniently the dive sight was close to Kas which gave us all the more time to enjoy the pristine waters. It became all official when I was setting up my gear and getting kitted up ready for the plunge off the back of the boat. After all the safety checks we were ready to descend to the great unknown below. The visibility was amazing... Aqua blue water surrounded us and kindly embraced us into the aquatic abyss. Sea grass covered the surface, waving back and forth with the motion of the sea. As we came to the reef we came across the tiniest purple nudie branches and surrounded by hundreds of fish at our deepest depth - 19 metres. Littered in between the reef were old artifacts - pots and urns. On our ascend we came across an old shipwreck which couldn't have been more than a few decades old. Now it was my turn to pass the torch to big bro for his first try dive - all went without a hitch and providing him inspiration to get certified later in the year.

An early morning dive left us the afternoon to head to the next town on our list, somewhere in the direction of Kemer. Off we went winding our way along the coast line, where we came across the most picturesque and deserted beaches along the cliffs. Only the dedicated and those not worried about a steep walk back made their way to the shoreline. Not us!!! We were on a mission. To find the paragliders headquarters of those who fly from Mt Tahtali.

Little did we know we would end up discovering the Little Russia of Turkey! Fur coat anyone?? A strange town Camyuva...
A very chatty Turkish businessman who couldn't believe people from Australia were in his shop... Since obviously they are always Russian... pointed us back to the towns we had passed. Which town specifically, he didn't know. Back tracking westward, we decided to stop at the Teleferik (cable car) to Mt Tahtali, however, half way up we passed the company paragliding van so quickly we put the car into reverse, u turned and followed in a high speed chase downhill. You have to consider we were following a crazy Turkish driver. Thankfully we caught sight of him at the bottom of the road and were able to tailgate him to the nearest town - Tekirova. It was here at the office Aaron confirmed we had found the right place due to the plane on the beach. The landmark for all the paraglider pilots! After some quick exchanges with the local pilots we decided to rendezvous with them tomorrow morning.

By this time the sun was setting and it was time to head to Olympos the neighbouring town to find a place to stay. After more windy, potholed backstreets we came across what certainly wasn't little Russia, but more along the lines of hippyville. Small wooden huts, treehouse top restaurants and lazy hammocks filled the beach town of Olympos - much more down our alley! We managed to park outside one of the more glamorous beach huts, but thankfully her brother next door had accomodation more within our price range.

We'd managed to achieve a lot today, so we decided to top it off by heading to the flaming mountain know as Chimaera. Here, on the ancient site of Olympos are fires spotted between the cracks of the rocks caused by the combustion of natural gas. They burn all day and all night. Little did we know it involved a 2km walk up, rocky, hilly terrain but all worth it when you get to the peak to witness these natural phenomenons. Many locals go up and have a bbq using the flames to cook their kebabs. Natures barbecue! More fun was to be had walking down in the dark, unfortunately the iPhone wasn't as illuminating as I anticipated. Ahh, next time I'll remembering the head torch lying useless in my luggage! How else to end the night, by having a highly nutritional dinner... a delicious, mouthwatering Magnum! :P chocolatey, icecreamy goodness!!