Harbor Cruise on a Pirate Ship and Dim Cayi Valley

We started the day off in a relaxed manner.

We first enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The buffet offered something for everyone.

There were fruits and vegetables in all varieties, different cheeses, light and dark bread, various spreads, butter, jams, cereals, and a range of egg dishes prepared fresh to order.

There was also a wide selection of hot and cold drinks.

A Day of Relaxation

As always, we had breakfast on the terrace with a view of the garden, the pool, and the sea.

Afterward, we found some free sun loungers by the pool and relaxed there with a good book and music.

Now and then we went for a swim; sometimes I floated on my air mattress reading – one of my favorite activities, as it combines two of my greatest passions: reading and being in the water.

And so the day passed.

Every now and then we grabbed a cold drink from the bar. For lunch, we had burgers with fries – not healthy, but delicious.

Around 4:00 p.m., we returned to our room to shower and change.

An Evening Adventure

At 5:00 p.m., we were picked up for that day’s excursion – a nighttime jeep safari to the Dim Cayi Valley.

But first, we drove to Alanya, where we headed up to the castle to enjoy the view.

At the harbor, a pirate ship was already waiting to take us on a cruise.

From the sea, we watched the sun slowly set, painting the sky in the most beautiful colors.

As the city lights gradually came on, it felt like a truly magical moment.

The boat ride was lovely, although we didn’t enjoy the loud music program very much – it was clearly aimed at a much younger crowd. There was also a foam party, which we didn’t join.

I skipped the swim stop too – partly because I had just showered, but also because in October it gets quite cool at night, even in Turkey.

The Dim Cayi Valley

Once we were back at the harbor, the tour continued into the mountains. Above Alanya, we made another stop to enjoy the stunning view over the sea of lights.

Then we headed to the Dim Cayi Valley, a popular recreational area near Alanya. A picturesque river meanders through the valley, lined with numerous restaurants along its banks.

At one of these restaurants, we stopped and were served a delicious dinner, accompanied by a belly dancer performing a few dances.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, arriving around 11:00 p.m. After a short stop at the bar, we soon went to bed.

Since we hadn’t seen much of the Dim Cayi Valley the night before, we decided to visit it again in daylight.

We took our rental car and were there in no time.

By day, the view was completely different. Steep cliffs plunge dramatically down to the river, which winds through the picturesque landscape.

At the end of the valley lies the Dim Dam Lake, surrounded by green hills.

The scenery was breathtaking – and we had it all to ourselves. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful.

We returned along the river and stopped at the popular Pinarbasi Restaurant, where you eat on platforms built directly over the water. We ordered a selection of regional specialties and – while eating – dipped our feet into the ice-cold water. It was wonderful.

A swing in the water completed the experience – we had so much fun there.

After the meal, we returned to the hotel, spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

The rest of the day went much like the others – after dinner, we spent a sociable evening at the bar and enjoyed that night’s show.