17- Entering Heaven aka Hisarönü Bay

Keep cruising east from Datça and after the Greek island Simi you will arrive at Hisarönü bay. This is one gorgeous piece of geography offering the best of blue and green. Hisarönü, Orhaniye and Selimiye are the towns you will find within this bay.

Ince Burun Lighthouse, Entrance to the Bay

These lovely villages are all under the administration of the town of Marmaris, which is a town of Muğla. Orhaniye is two miles south of Hisarönü and offers a marina with wonderful scenery. This marina, named Martı Marina (www.marti.com.tr) is a serene spot within this heavenly area. 

Martı Marina

Floating Pontoon and Sailboats Within

 

Orhaniye Scenery

There is very limited accommodation here because construction is strictly controlled. Very basic hotels were available but now a small boutiqu hotel is being constructed within the marina and I believe it will be operational by 2012 summer.

Orhaniye Scenery

Just take a walk around the marina and enjoy the scenery. The village of Orhaniye is not next to the sea but is very close. However there is not much to do there. In the Orhaniye bay you will find 4-5 restaurants, all appear to be the same offering fish and rakı.

Orhaniye Scenery

We enjoy traveling when we find time to do so. I have sailed and cruised along the shores of Turkey, Greek Islands a  lot but also along Italy, Sardinia and France Corsica. My personal view is, the beauty is Hisarönü and Yeşilova Bays is not comparable with others.

Here you will not find Michelin restaurants, superyachts and luxury living. I like luxury actually but when I arrive at southern Turkey, the simplicity and the genuine smiles I come across, I just love it. If you have the money...the world is your oyster. Ski in Courchevel, dine at Villefrance sur Mer and spend your weeks cruising around Beaulieu sur Mer. One thing you will not find is people who genuinely smile or care about you. That, you can find in Turkey.

Just ask this local...

Little Resident of Orhaniye