As hot, humid air settles in over Turkey in one of the hottest spells in memory, life slows and thoughts turn towards the seas that surround this country. On the Bodrum Peninsula, down a winding dirt road of the same name is a bay called Paradise Cove (Cennet Koyu) where I found just that on a recent afternoon.
Here a small boutique hotel owned by a Turkish-Japanese couple welcomes both hotel or day guests to lounge on the long serene wooden docks along the edge of the sea. Quiet and calm, one lounges on their chaise under an umbrella only steps from the cool, crystal clear water. Polite servers drift up and down to take orders for cold drinks and lovely food, including sushi, which was some of the best I've had in Turkey.
As the sun hung low over the surrounding hills, a perfect treat of fresh apple tart and tea appeared. Then after a final dip into the turquoise water of paradise we reluctantly headed home to prepare for the evening ahead.







