Dalyan & Göcek – 12th April

Events in Dalyan are like buses; there is often more than one coming along at the same time after not seeing one for ages!
On Sunday 12th April I had been invited to the engagement of Hannah and Halil. There was transport being put on from Dalyan to Suolo in Göcek about 45 minutes drive away. I’m not great at bus journeys so, when a friend had asked me if I wanted to go in her car, I had jumped at the chance. First, I worked in the morning and then met my friend at the tea gardens where I ordered some chips and a water for 200 lira (£3.33). The engagement party invite did come with a note to say that soft drinks and a light meze would be provided but if we wanted to drink alcohol we had to buy our own at the bar. I didn’t plan on drinking alcohol but decided to have something to eat beforehand so I wasn’t hungry.
On the drive over to Göcek the weather was quite warm so I was hot and a bit travel sick. The Göcek tunnel toll fee was now 75 lira each way so a total of 150 lira (£2.50) and we did get a little bit lost because of the road works. When we arrived at Suolo we were late and there were no seats for us. We headed to the bar where we saw Jamie and The Aussies. Hannah and Halil with their family and close friends were all dressed in black, they looked stunning so I was glad I’d managed to find a dress to wear – my summer outfits were still packed away, though. The venue was lovely and I’d not been before. I ordered a coke for my friend and a soda water for me. The soft drinks weren’t free but it would be a few minutes to wait for soda water. I paid 100 lira (£1.67) for the coke, which I thought reasonable for the waterside venue, and said I would wait for the soda. They would only accept card and it was a bit awkward as he only wanted me to pay for the coke as the soda hadn’t materialised yet and then it took over 30 minutes so the bar man gave it me for free after offering me every other drink he still had left.
When the food was served it was very popular and so many people rushed to get involved. I had a bit of rocket a spoonful of yoghurt and a piece of bread, there were other mezes available but I was conscious of the drive back. We took our plates towards the inside and kiddy area to find a table to sit at and we got talking to a couple of friends I hadn’t seen in ages.
After chatting and watching the dancing, the music came to an end around 5pm. We bumped in to Hannah’s mom and we all said what a lovely day it had been. I had plans to attend another function back in Dalyan but, before returning, my friend and I nipped in to Göcek.
We had a walk along the harbour, checked out a place with a pool and bar (for when visitors come in the summer), then I treated my friend to another coke and a cake for driving and I just had a Turkish tea. I paid a bargain 205 lira (£3.42) but I was feeling a bit tired now and wanted to get back.
We drove back and I was meant to be going to a birthday party at Efe bar but I was shattered so sent my apologies. I was hungry so I had my dinner of beans on toast at 8.45pm then I went to bed with a headache.

Gratitude List
1. Being invited to Hannah’s engagement party at Suolo in Göcek
2. Bumping in to friends
3. An afternoon off.