Bodrum

So, we finally made it to our destination after a long and tiring overnight bus ride. Surprisingly, the bus was pretty comfortable considering the circumstances. After all the stress of catching the bus the night before, we were both completely exhausted. Thankfully we were able to get some rest (with a little help from Valium, I must admit).

To start our day off right, we decided to find a cozy cafe where we could grab some coffee and breakfast toasties while killing time before heading to our hotel. It was around 10 am when we stumbled upon Asmin Hotel, the place we had booked in advance. Despite having a confirmation for our reservation, we discovered the entire hotel had closed for the season. Thankfully, our credit card hadn't been charged yet so I quickly cancelled the transaction before anything went through.

By luck, as we stood there lost and unsure of what to do next, the receptionist from the hotel next door happened to be passing by. They informed us that Asmin Hotel had shut down a week earlier but luckily they had an available room for us. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

Since it was quite chilly and rainy outside, we decided to relax in our room for a while before venturing out to explore. Eventually, when there was a break in the rain, we strolled down towards the marina waterfront. Luckily as another storm rolled in, and brought with it pouring rain, we found a small bar called "Hot Pub" tucked away on a side street.

This bar turned out to be quite amazing! Not only did they have an awesome playlist filled with yacht rock classics playing in the background but they also served some fantastic beers. We were able to kick back, relax, and enjoy a few drinks while waiting for the rain to let up.

So, as we were getting pretty hungry, the whole town's electricity suddenly went out. We had to settle our bill at the pub using just the light from our phone torches. Luckily, some places along the Marina were running on generators, so we had a few options for a quick and easy dinner before heading back to get some much-needed rest in an actual bed this time.

The weather was much better the next day, so we decided to explore some other sights in Bodrum. The Marina led us to a castle situated on a headland that we strolled down towards. While trying to find an entrance, we ended up on the opposite side of town, where there was a long stretch of beach and a cool strip of beach bars and boutiques lining the narrow pedestrian streets.

Just like everywhere else we visited, many places were closed. But fortunately, we found a spot on the sand for a swim and enjoyed a simple chicken burger for lunch. Despite the storms the day before, today was hot and sunny, making it seem like summer hadn't ended yet.

For dinner, we opted for another simple meal along the Marina. We noticed several tables with clear glass bottles and discovered they contained Raki. It turns out that it's common for people to drink Raki as a digestiv after their meals.

All in all, despite a few bumps along the way, it turned out to be a pretty eventful and enjoyable town. Who knows what other surprises await us on this adventure!Read more