A big THANKS to Pennie and also to Shirley....BTW Shirley you have it all wrong about the cooking. I try to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible !!!!!! You have probably heard about my husband's cooking. He is the one who cooks even at home here too !!! I myself do enjoy baking however but he is the pro.......
Well I have to thank sweet Pennie so much for adding this post for all to see. Cirali is not a place that comes up very often. With the invention of all-inclusives, small places like this get passed over for the big resorts. But many years ago in Turkey these places were once small rural villages as well.
Çirali is situated between two environmentally protected sites, one nature preserve to the north and one archaeological site to the south. The beach of Çıralı is about 3 km long and is secluded and unspoiled were the seawater is crystal-clear. My children love to play at the beach and here they can also meet new friends from other countries in a safe and clean environment. Adding to it's many beauties of this magic place, is that here every year between May and September the sea turtles (Caretta caretta) come to these shores to lay their eggs. The World Wildlife Federation and the Natural Life Protection Association (Doğal Hayatı Koruma Derneği) protecting them.
Çıralı is also known for being the home of the antique city of Olympos, which was a port city, established in the 2nd century and continued to flourish until the 15th century A.D. This ancient city is situated on both sides of a brook, which dries up in the summer. The site is heavily covered with bushes and trees The ruins here are from the Lycian period up to the Byzantine times.
About one kilometer from Olympos brings you to the natural phenomenon of Çıralı the Chimaera. A hidden paradise to the world. Known by the local inhabitants as the Yanartaş (burning stone), it is a result of escaping natural gas, whose flames have been shooting heavenwards for centuries. The famous myth of Bellerophontes is said to have taken place here. There is a special romanticism about this place that draws people to climb the mountain and view the natural wonders along with the evening sky. Here in the summer many tour buses come and go into Çıralı bringing tourists to this famous spot. But I recommend that you visit the Yanartaş during the spring or fall when it is not as hot or as crowded. The Chimarea was also mentioned recently in the Fethiye times. For all of you in Fethiye you may have read this one.
Take a Look at Turkey – The Chimaera
Friday, 23 March 2007
http://www.fethiyetimes.org.uk/cms/...d=854&Itemid=75
Also nearby to Çıralı is the Ulupinar region, which is rich in rivers and creeks. Escape the scorching heat in the summer by walking along the Ulupinar creek. You may even be tempted to take a swim in the freezing cold water of the small pools that you may come across. Here you will find many local restaurants specializing in fresh water trout dishes.
A perfect spot for families, the mature traveller and for all types of nature lovers. Long walks and hikes are also really a great way to spend some time other than the super secluded beach.
Cirali is best descibed by this article from the Timesonline a few weeks ago rating it as one of the ''top 20 beach holidays'' at this link;
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol...=null&offset=12
4 CIRALI, TURKEY
Far from the package-holiday hordes, Turkey has dozens of pristine beaches, among the finest of which is Cirali, a long stretch of fine white sand at the mouth of a towering canyon. The beach, an easy walk from the ruined city of Olympos, is a protected nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. After dark, lights on the shore are extinguished so as not to confuse the hatching babies. On a moonless night, the view of the Milky Way is phenomenal.
You’ll find no banana boats or disco bars at Cirali, just a perfect two-mile beach lapped by clear blue water, and walking trails that will take you into the drama of the surrounding coastal mountains.
I hope that I have given you an insight into my life and experiences that hold me captive for the little village of Çıralı. In ÇIRALI the combination of history, culture and the incredible beauty of nature are among only a few touristic paradises left in the world. These qualities must be preserved not only for us but also for future generations to come.
I welcome all members of the TLF to stop by and say hi if you are in the area and hope to see many of you over this summer.
With best regards and warm hearts from Carrie ( AKA Cirali ) Here is a link to my hotel's web site.
http://www.canadahotel.net/en/index.htm
Cirali's hotel 
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