The Town of Foca.
In 600 BC Foca was an ancient Ionian Greek City called Phocaea. The buildings that inhabit the town and line the waterfront are Ottoman Greek houses built using the methods of the Greek stone masons. Named after the seals basking on the close by Siren Rocks, Foca is guardian over the descendents of those seals who are nowadays an endangered species. Two Hundred Monk Seals, representing half of the world population, live offshore between Turkey and Greece. From early May to the beginning of October, boat trips leave the harbour every day at 11 a.m. visiting the islands and Siren Rocks.
Seventy kilometres north west of Izmir on the East Coast, Foca is where Turkish families come to enjoy a seaside holiday, but a 300 bay Marina is underway in an attempt to lure visitors from further afield. The town area is under strict environmental protection which even extended to the water pipes. The old pipes can not be replaced which means switching to an alternate water supply when they need repairing.
Siren Pansiyon.
Having left ISTANBUL only a week before, it was admirably easy to navigate our car to the aptly named Siren Pansiyon. This tourist friendly town saved our sanity by having Pansiyon names listed on the street name signs – ingenious. Siren was a friendly budget pansiyon with a strong no-nonsense Greek feel to the rooms. The colour scheme was white on white and our side balcony had views of the water only 60 metres away. Within minutes we had checked out the even better rooftop views and met a mother and daughter from Germany, who had been visiting Foca for 40 and 20 years respectively! Breakfast could be ordered and served on the rooftop or guests could use the kitchen to prepare their own meals. The rooftop had a communal fridge as well enabling bottles of wine to be chilled, dinner prepared and the views and company shared. The cooking of fish was however banned.
Stroll along the waterfront.
Having interrogated our host Remzi we set off for an afternoon waterfront stroll. The horseshoe shaped harbour had an overwater boardwalk covering half the distance and after a quick reconnaissance mission, we sat there eating corn chips and slushy Tonics while watching the spectacular sunset. With the addition of some Gin, the holiday scene would have been perfect.
Ottoman Greek Buildings.
A view from the bottom of the Horseshoe shaped harbour. I really added this photo because of the scooter.
Beskapilar (Five Gate). A Byzantine waterfront Castle, repaired by the Genoese, Ottomans and modern day Turks.
Locals watching the world go by.
“Boats and Bike” Harbour Sunset.
Peering into the deep.
Did somebody pay this fisherman!
The Sun has set – Time to Party.
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I loved checking out the simple and wonderful images and people…ah the sunsets to look magical there!
Thanks Noel. It certainly seemed that way to us.
Very beautiful place…
Thanks for commenting Lily.
These pictures show a different side to Foca, that you don’t often see in the guide books. They seem to tell of daily life and how it really is. I am interested in the Greek mansions as well. I read a lot of books about Greek history in the Izmir region. Eye opening!
Thanks for commenting Michael. I have never seen Foca in a guide book so was not aware it is portrayed in a different way. There may well be a different aspect to Foca, but this is the Foca we saw.:)
I love the texture in the buildings…natural rock walls are one of my favorite things architecturally. 🙂
I have never lived in a stone house Betsy, but I would love to. I once stayed in a stone cottage for a week-end in the Barossa Valley in South Australia. I remember it had a huge bathroom against which all of my bathrooms have failed to measure up. 🙂
How I love that pink building at the top. 🙂 It must positively glow at sunset! 😉
I would love to live in that pink house 🙂
Gorgeous! I love Turkey. I love your photos…especially the sunsets with those brilliant colors…just love it Jan!
Thanks Corinne. Foca was an easy place to like and photograph. 🙂
i lived in Foca for 3 years and really a great place but in winter, there is litreally nothing to do . So settle down in Marmaris now , if you ever visit Marmaris it will be my pleasure to take you around.
Hi Besem. I guess that being a seaside holiday destination, Foca would be very quiet in Winter. Thanks for your kind offer to visit you in Marmaris. I would love to return to Turkey one day and we have not been to Marmaris – yet. 🙂
I agree with Besem. There is much more to do in Marmaris, definitely, but I like Foca a lot, nonetheless!