I’m writing this as we look over the bay towards distant Marmaris and with the setting sun bathing us in a warm, pink glow.
We have booked in for the à la carte Turkish meal served on the upper terrace of the Marmaris Imperial hotel, a large hotel cleverly set in extensive landscaped grounds. Many of the original pine trees of the hillsides have been retained and there has been an extensive planting of oleander bushes and other exotic plants. Directly below our terrace are the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean with a couple of gullets languidly riding at anchor.
Our table is alongside the bread ovens and the chef has proudly produced steaming bread straight from the oven on a large paddle. We’ve been plied with Beyti Kebabs (herb flavoured lamb with cracked wheat in a delicious tomatoes sauce) followed by a generous slice of baklava. And the wine is flowing!
We have had a very restful week here. The double hammocks have been especially inviting. Not wanting to be too energetic, we joined the Pilates class in the outdoor gym area overlooking the sea. It was very difficult following the directions of our instructress – I much preferred to gaze on the idyllic view of the pine clad plunging cliffs edging the azure blue of the sea. Never has a Pilates class been so relaxing!
M.H.