Kaş: Mediterranean Bliss on the Turkish Riviera

Mediterranean Bliss on the Turkish Riviera

I traded in my stressful, high-paying job as a corporate lawyer for the simple pleasures of Mediterranean life along the exquisite Turkish Riviera. I’m now blessed with riches beyond my wildest dreams. Collecting experiences and memories instead of possessions. Counting stars instead of money. Socializing instead of “networking”. Focusing on “being” instead of “having”.

This country is a glorious feast for the senses. The pristine natural beauty is unparalleled. Turkey is primarily verdant velvety green mountains, valleys and hillsides with endless coastlines of crystal clear turquoise and emerald hued seas.

My chosen peaceful haven, Kas, is located along the turquoise coast, aka, the Turkish Riviera, in Southwest Turkey, abutting the Mediterranean Sea. 

A typical day starts by watching the glorious sunrise appearing majestically over the sea with the charming Greek island of Meis in the forefront, its nightlights still twinkling.  Even the clouds add splendor to the beauty of dawn. They are piercingly white and impossibly fluffy.

I walk along one of many coastal paths daily and still stop in awe to capture the breathtaking vistas. I’ve become an avid poster on Instagram, attempting to capture the unreal beauty to share with family and friends back “home”. 

The water is a rainbow of achingly beautiful turquoise colors from the lightest teal to the deepest emerald green, envisaging the entire green/blue section of a Crayola crayon box. The several coastal walks are bordered by an endless array of colorful fruit trees, including silvery olives, ruby red pomegranates, lemon and fig trees. The delicate white bloom of almond trees gently contrast with the multi-colored magenta, pink and salmon-colored bougainvillea overflowing along the pathways. 

With time on my side, I now take great pleasure languidly soaking up the views on my walks. More often than not, I am accompanied by at least one – often many – of the town’s docile dogs, graciously cared for by the government and the local residents. They fervently wag their tails in greeting and appreciation for the affection as they loyally keep me company.

I’m warmly greeted along the way by locals with a smile and “gunaydin” or “iyi gunler” – “good morning” or “good day”. Civility is the rule of the day in this tranquil little village. I pass by many campers enjoying the crystal clear sea air and the enviable vistas. Many take advantage of the refreshing cool sea to start the day with an invigorating swim in the pristine water. I’m impressed by the resourcefulness as I witness families enjoying full Turkish breakfasts with the ubiquitous Turkish tea from portable teapots. 

Muslim women clad in headdress and covered from head to toe persist in asking me to join them along the sidewalk for a picnic despite my relatively sparse fitness or beachwear attire. No judgment here – simply a genuine offer of hospitality. 

As I walk back towards the town, I’m rewarded with a post-card perfect vista with terraced white houses dripping with vividly colorful bougainvillea, sloping down with the forest green hillside as a backdrop leading down to the rainbow of turquoise variations seaside. 

Most afternoons are spent writing, reading and going to the beach. The year-round enviable Mediterranean climate is only one of the many reasons I decided, without hesitation, to call Turkey home. I always choose a strip of beach I have virtually to myself over the energetic, busy beach clubs. I enjoy watching the few others, mostly families with parents acclimating toddlers to the sea life. I cool off in the mineral-rich therapeutic waters that feel like a silken hug, taking in the vistas and counting my good fortune.

Evenings usually include taking in the sunset from one of the enviable positions, either along one of the many beaches or from an elevated position from one of the cliffs or the well-preserved amphitheater ruins with its panoramic view of the town and the sea. 

Given the value of the lira, dinner is often eaten out. Mainstays include fresh grilled seafood accompanied by a few of the many yogurt and vegetable based mezes or appetizers or a grilled kebab with salad, rice and pita. The cuisine represents the healthy and delicious Mediterranean diet with its emphasis on seasonal vegetables, yogurt, whole grains and lean meats and seafood. 

Evenings are alive with the main square overflowing with friends, couples and families with children frolicking carefree in the square and the ever-present local dogs. This is people watching at its best. 

Despite its diminutive size, Kas has a wide range of music offerings available from traditional music in the meyhanes, jazz music at the cafes and lounge music at the seaside restaurants and beach clubs. Having a cocktail or Turkish tea seaside while listening to the crashing waves is a tranquil way to end one’s day.

Regardless of how one chooses to spend time here, simple pleasures refreshingly permeate daily life and everyone feels warmly welcomed thanks to the justly famous Turkish hospitality. Kas proves that dreams do come true.