The guidebook didn’t seem enthused about Marmaris. Describing it as a “big, brash resort city”, and that there was no reason to linger as it doesn’t offer anything you can’t find elsewhere. The only reason to stop here is if you’re meeting a boat for the Blue Cruise or taking a boat over to Rhodes, which we’ve been in 2010. For us, however, we decided to stop here so that we can take the side trip to Pamukkale. Yes, the same Pamukkale that I “poo-poo’d on” back in Bodrum, stating that the effort to travel there wasn’t worth the visit. Well, it has been one of the top sights I had always wanted to check out in Turkey, and I couldn’t dismiss it just like that. So I researched to see if traveling from Marmaris would be shorter, and it just so happens that Marmaris to Pamukkale is an hour (maybe two) shorter than Bodrum to Pamukkale (the distance is exactly the same as going from LA to San Diego). So that cinched it!
The hour and a half, 21TL ride was very scenic, at least of what I could see when I wasn’t dozing off. Beautiful green mountains on one side and the blue ocean on the other.
Once at the Marmaris bus terminal, we again hoofed it to our next Airbnb – we’re going to see how long we can keep up with this hoofing business. This next Airbnb was hard to find. The host gave me instructions in Turkish, which I couldn’t use Google translate (long story), then the Airbnb direction was inaccurate. We had a heck of a time trying to find our way. Luckily, a few Good Samaritans came to our rescue, and one of them was Menaf, the cook/host/server at Ney. He called our host and showed us the way. To repay him, we ended up having lunch at his restaurant.
Kebap 
Ney Special 
Meze combo
After lunch, first order of business was to figure how to get to Pamukkale. Options include, joining a tour, taking the bus, renting a car. Tours only go out Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, possibly due to low season. However, Wednesday is forecasted for thunderstorm in Pamukkale (and Marmaris), so we have to go tomorrow. Menaf floated the idea of a private tour, but it was more than what we had wanted to pay. So it was either catching the bus or renting a car. The bus would make it easier for Joe since he wouldn’t have to drive, but it also meant a lot of logistics (Bus only goes to Denizli, and from Denizli to Pamukkale we’d have to catch another bus). Ultimately, we chose the car rental route, and found a local company to rent the car.
Once that was settled, we went on the search for Avis car rental (we had previously booked a rental car from Avis for the next leg of the trip, not for the Pamukkale trip). This store was hard to find! Google maps didn’t have the most updated info, and no one else seemed to know where it is. Finally, we got the correct directions from a different car rental company. At least the search was along Marmaris’ 7-mile promenade, so we got to enjoy the scenery, as well as a feel for this town (and the guidebook is somewhat on point).
Marmaris is a British hangout. They don’t see a lot of Americans. Today was the first time I was told that I have an accent, i.e., an American accent. Prices here are quoted in pounds, restaurants have names like Jimmy, Natalie, and sell shepherds pie.
I think we’ve seen a good deal of Marmaris today, that I wouldn’t be too upset if the thunderstorm on Wednesday keeps us indoors.
FIRE'd @ 47 