YEDIBURUNLAR LIGHTHOUSE: 2011

Dining at Yedi with the full moon rising over the mountains.

Worth waking up to see that...

Sunday morning walk with the dogs..

We took the doggies for a walk this morning up onto the hill to the right of the hotel. Spectacular views all round and some nice views back to the hotel. Will have to get back up there early in the morning again some time more pics.

my best shot of the night.

The eclipse as we saw it:-))

Summer at the Yediburunlar Lighthouse.

We are very lucky at Yedi being blessed with a wonderful location taking in every cool sea breeze the med. has on offer during the long hot days of July and August. Evenings are the highlight of the day with al-fresco dining in truly spectacular surroundings. Full moon nights are always special with the coastline being lit up with the sun's reflections. Tonight will be one of those nights of sublime beauty. I will try to get some good pictures of the moon rising over the mountains tonight and post the best ones later.

Monday Morning at Yediburunlar.

At the moment we are busy preparing for breakfast which will start at 8am. After breakfast I will lead a walk through the local village and into the hills that should last for about 2 hours. On the walk I expect to see birds like Jays, Little owls and maybe a couple of eagles or kites.

2 hours later: Just arrived back at the hotel. Have to say it was a lovely walk. The dogs (Buğday and Ela) joined us on this one and behaved very well other than the one moment when Buğday tried to have an early lunch. Luckily the chicken survived and Buğday apologized for the inappropriate behaviour. Otherwise, saw 1 tortoise, a few goats, the 1 chicken (tied by its leg under a tree) and 4 falcons + a buzzard. Heard but did not see the little owl today. The Jays you'll always see so I won't mention them again. Overall a very enjoyable morning.

Now time to start preparing for lunch.

Yedi from the hill next door.

Our little paradise as seen from the hill next door. We had a very busy winter and basicly managed to rebuild most of the hotel. So far we've just had good feedback from returning guests which makes it all worthwhile. Exclusive Escapes sent a photographer here last Saturday and I am particularly looking forward to seeing the results of his (Kai's) hard work. www.turningpoint.fi.

Kardelen: New room at Yedi

New room at the Lighthouse: Outdoor bath.

About Yediburunlar.

Quirky, quaint and quite breathtaking – that’s Yediburunlar Lighthouse, a holiday retreat like no other.

Perched 1,800ft up in Turkey’s Taurus mountains, teetering, to one side, on a near-sheer drop to the azure waters of the Mediterranean below, Yediburunlar is certainly off the beaten track.

When most people imagine Turkish holidays, they think of the resorts of Marmaris, Bodrum or Kusadasi – and some might even compare them to Blackpool.

But ‘Yedi’ – as those who know it call the place – is out there on its own, six kilometres along a track that bumps over farmland and winds through mountain villages after taking a turning off the ‘main’ road from Fethiye to Kalkan.

‘Yediburunlar’, in Turkish, means seven noses – describing the headlands that jut into the sea along this stretch of coast.

It’s not actually a lighthouse but a small hotel, sleeping a maximum of 12 guests in charming rooms with spectacular views down to the sea and across farmland to the mountains.

The building itself has a bit of a ramshackle look – all wood and stone – but it is absolutely captivating, a feeling complemented by the smells of the home-baked bread, herbs and spices as Turkish hostess Semra produces her mouth-watering vegetarian dishes.

Semra’s partner, South African Leon, built ‘Yedi’ from scratch and his pride in it is plain to see.

The first senses that strike you on arrival – apart from the splendour of the scenery – are the total peace and tranquility and the purity of the air.

Nothing beats sitting on the wooden balcony of your room in the early evening before dinner, gazing at the views in complete silence – apart from the bells of the goats as they graze on the terraces that slope down towards the sea and the occasional muted calls of the goatherds to their flock.

Leon offers guided treks around the surrounding area – and we joined him for three days, enjoying frequent sightings of wild tortoises, porcupine spines and ancient ruins in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the walks were fairly gentle – but the one winding down to the sea was a beast on the way back up!

All of this provides a huge appetite for Semra’s gorgeous food. It was all vegetarian – apart from fish one night – but I defy the most voracious meat-eater not to be won over by it.

The flavours she can get into a vege-cottage pie or a courgette soufflé are sensational.

On trek-free days we lazed around the small swimming pool, glancing down from the hammocks in between pages of our books to feast on the views.

Gorgeous though it is, I know that ‘Yedi’ wouldn’t suit everyone – for some it would be just too remote – but for us it was idyllic and there was a lump in our throat as we waved ‘goodbye’ to Leon, Semra and our fellow guests and set off for Destination 2.