04-Nov-2003 -- This was an unsuccessful visit to 37N 28E due to the lack of a boat.
I left Bodrum and took the D330 to Milas past the new airport (BJV). At Milas turn SE down the Ören road. It is a very pleasant drive through the Turkish countryside with many villages and farms and roadside vegetable stalls, melons in particular. I found myself enjoying this part of the journey very much.
Thinking this idyllic land would continue to the coast I was sadly disappointed half way there to find a gigantic open cast mine which has scarred the landscape for miles. I suspect it provides fuel for a monster power station some kilometres further down the road towards Ören. However, Turkey needs power like everywhere else - it just burst my bubble for that moment.
Drive past the power plant and its huge chimney as you approach the coast you turn left toward Ören. The land flattens by the coast and the views of the Datça peninsula due south become visible across the Gökova Körfezi.
The road is good and there is a petrol station there incidentally, I fuelled up in Milas as I was worried about finding petrol in the countryside. Heading east towards Ören the roads are good and quite a bit of local industry. Ören seems to be a developing holiday area for the Turkish, many holiday home estates are being built. The town of Ören is pleasant and has the basics, the sea front area was closed as I was there out of season, but many bars and restaurants would be available during the summer season.
I drove to the town harbour (liman) and knew this was as close as I was going to get without a boat. Although, the local fisherman had their boats there I regrettably didn't have the time to arrange anything, I'll do that next visit this summer. It's a nice area and one I look forward to visiting again.
I returned to Bodrum via the south coast road through the coastal mountains and villages. Its beautiful with olive groves and bee hives and honey everywhere. Its a longish drive but worth it, I ended up at Karaova where Turkish carpets and Kilims can be found and the main road back to Bodrum is joined.