Being close to water causes something to happen, especially when you’re seemingly cut off from the online world (no internet, no phone, no TV). Everyone gets a little (or a lot) wild. I’m not sure if it’s the air, the salt or water. Whatever it was, our beach bound tribe obviously needed the change of pace.
After a long journey to the southern part of Turkey, we finally made it to the infamous indigo waters. The change in behavior in all of us was visceral. The closer in proximity to water (no matter if it was beach, lake, pool), the more our foursome got wild; the kind of wild that’s always simmering under the surface, getting ready to swing about and play.
Something remarkable happens when the shackles of normal routine slough off. The play you never make time for under ‘normal’ circumstances comes pouring out. Sophia and Alfie slipped into this mood with ease and familiarity. Charlie and I took a bit longer, long enough for the adult rust to creak off. I’m happy to say that we still had plenty of kid-space still lingering under the surface. Yes--I can build rock pools, shoot bow and arrows and wrestle with the best of them.
After a long journey full of trials and tribulations we made it to the Med Inn, Bodrum. When our tired crew pulled up to the beach we had one of those moments of 'ahhhh...everything is behind us. This place is the bomb!'.
I don't know about you, but a dreamy four poster on the beach is my idea of chill-ax.
One tired Daddy. He spent all night trying to fix our travel bungle (airline's fault).
Pointing out her new Bodrum sandals.
Checking out the local inspiration before I hit the hot beach.
Someone's getting their groove on.
Paddle board Papa steering his charge.
The Afatron has found another accessory
We make a pit stop for dinner at Charlie's friend Angie's new house outside of Bodrum. The kids play and we all eat like kings. Anglie in a phenomenal Chef.
Angle's house is surrounded by her Turkish neighbors who have loads of animals. Alfie barrels in for a touch while Sophia's not so sure.
Taking a tour on a Turkish tractor. This never gets old.
After an idyllic weekend in Bodrum, we drove along the Datcha Penninsula coast. There were so many beaches not being used. These magical coves are untouched, unspoiled and perfect for spending the day romping around. Shhhh...don't tell anyone.
Our beach house in the Datca Penninsula. It was a lush oasis surrounded by fields of animals grazing on one side, an olive grove on another and a beach along the front. All in all, it was a spectacular setting to get properly wild.
Ready to take her boat out on the choppy waters.
A perch with a view. And a sidekick. This little puppy followed Sophia everywhere.
Prepping his home-made bow and arrows.
The beach outside our house was empty. Lucky for us, we had endless energy to spend all afternoon building a custom rock pool to sit in. The kids astounded me with their brute strength. Sophia must have lifted 20 ginormous boulders on her own.
Sophia narrowly escaped being splintered by the local urchins lining the beach.
Charlie found oodles of rocks, driftwood, pumice etc on his many beach combs. He arranged and re-arranged to make fascinating formations.
Art is everywhere. Need I say more?
Who knew driftwood bound together could be so beautiful. Charlie worked on this invention for hours before presenting it to us. The only hitch was he wasn't going to be able to bring it home.
Wiggling and jiggling together on a boat around the bays of Datca.
Mummy's getting some love and attention in the sun.
The wild comes out in a 'Grrrrrr....'
Positioned to pounce into the water. She's found a new love in swimming.
Cause you never know when you'll be needing a sword.
Sea water makes for some pretty wild hair.
Dirty, dandy and handy with his coal sand. Alfie is determined to dig a HUGE hole in the Kabak beach.
Errant cups, salt water and dirty children make for an uncomfortable trio.
Seriously hot at Aktas Beach. Only Daddy can muster a smile.
Stunning, rocky beaches at Aktas gave us plenty of nooks and crannies to explore and picnic.
All fired up in my paper princess costume.
Alf needs to stop and howl like a wolf every once in a while.
Sweet, local strawberries.
Wild ones need fuel. So when we got hungry I foraged around for the archetypal foods to feed our creative furnaces - the freshest, most local, juicy and instant energy blasts.
All these foods are quick to prep, which means more time to play....
Fresh caught mackerel in a caper vinaigrette with arugula. A yogurt and sumac purslane salad. And a kicked up Turkish salad with my favorite salty feta and crispy, chewy Turkish flatbread.
Wild fuel = as much crunch, colour and pizazz as possible. The Rainbow Plate Lady would be proud:)
One of Sophia's many beach sculptures.
Strolling on an empty beach. Three cheers for travelling a week prior to high season!
Let the fajondilizer roar out!
Wildness rocks. It's been switched on, or back on in the case of Charlie and me. Now the trick is to figure out how to keep this feeling humming in the background, ready to activate to full strength so our family can counteract stress and the 'shoulds'. Once we leave the water's edge and move back into our regular routine, how do we keep this play alive? I'm sure it will take some practice. That's a task I'm happy to take on.