My excitement of being inside the Blue Cave was probably heightened due to the fact that as I set out on the path that led me there, I had never heard of the cave and had no idea of the pure beauty of Mother Nature that I was about to witness with my very own eyes. My story of how I ended up in the Blue Cave has to start with my journey to the Greek island of Meis and my chance meeting with Kostos the Greek.
The Colourful island of Meis
Meeting Kostos
I had just departed from the ferry boat that took me to the colorful island of Meis (also known as Kastelorizo) and was wondering around the harbor front, deciding where to go and what to see. Walking past a seafood restaurant, my path was suddenly blocked by a middle aged couple.
They were speaking so fast and in a language that I did not understand. I had no choice but to shrug my shoulders in a statement that reflected such. Their need was obviously great as they attempted broken English to explain. “Please – you come Blue Cave”
I still had no idea of what they were talking about and the hand signals and broken English that followed did not enlighten me any further. Then Kostos the Greek interrupted. “They want to go to the Blue Cave but there is only two of them and I won’t leave until there are five people in my boat” He pointed to a small speed boat that was bobbing up and down in the crystal blue water of the harbor.
Waiting for the boat to fill up…
I could tell from the body language of Kostos, that he was well adapted to the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle that was evident all over Meis. He was a typical weathered sea man who seemed to have no concept of time and could quite happily wait all day for the small boat to fill up.
After finding out the trip would only take an hour and cost just ten euros, I figured I had nothing to lose and waited patiently in the small fishing boat. It all soon filled up to capacity and we sailed slowly and peacefully out of the harbor with Kostos at the helm.
Slow sailing before Kostos picked up speed!
Where were the life jackets?
My mistake to think that it was going to be a pleasant sail around the coastline because as soon as we left the harbor, Kostos kicked up the reeves and as we accelerated speed, my eyes began to sting with the salt from the sea water splashing in my face.
The high speed forced the front end of the boat to keep lifting into the air and coming back to land on the water with a thud. I was desperately clinging on for dear life and kicking myself for getting into a boat with a crazy Greek man! A fleeting glance at every one else revealed that they were possibly thinking the same. I really should have asked if Kostos believed in storing life jackets.
With great relief, the boat suddenly came to a stop. Kostos instructed us all to lie on the bottom of the small speed boat and we slowly started moving towards the rocks where there was a small entrance.
As I lay on the bottom of the boat, staring up at the rock face ceiling which was now just a couple of feet away from my face, I wondered if this was going to be the moment that I discovered the meaning of claustrophobia.
How long would I have to lie here, where was I going and more importantly how could Kostos the captain see where he was going when he was crouched over to prevent his back scrapping along the ceiling of the rock?
Entering the Blue Cave of Meis / Kastelorizo
Entrance to the Blue Cave
My concerns were soon to be forgotten and replaced by amazement of which I have no words to describe the intensity. All of a sudden Kostos instructed us to sit up and proudly smiled when he saw the looks on all our faces.
The very small entrance had led way to a beautiful sea cave of which the walls were a sparkling blue and the water was crystal clear. The blue walls were a reflection from the water and once our eyes had adjusted to the lack of light, we could see the stag mites and just how big the cave really was. I imagined pirates storing their loot here in years gone by.
On the journey back from the Blue cave, I did not care how much Kostos was pushing his small boat to the limit or the fact that I could be thrown overboard at any minute. I had seen something so beautiful and powerful that will take a lot to ever be matched.
Once we were back on Meis, I paid Kostos his money and he took his seat ready to wait for the next boat of tourists that would see a unique display of Mother Nature at her best. Kostos does this every day of the week; I hope he still appreciates the beauty of the Blue cave which is right on his doorstep.
I can’t believe how blue that water is…wow. If I return to Turkey someday, I’ll have to check that out. Looks great!
Lisa @chickybus recently wrote about..Finished Writing My Book! What’s It About and What’s Next?
It was amazing Lisa and the reflection from the water made the walls blue as well. So beautiful!
Natalie recently wrote about..Kas – Mediterranean Delight in Turkey
Natalie it looks stunning,,,,, and excellent writing as normal,
Cheers Debra – you would have had a field day snorkelling in the cave. Wish you could have been there.
Natalie recently wrote about..Welcome to Cirali
To my eternal shame I’ve never made it over to Meis despite visiting Kas so many times. The cave looks completely amazing.
Jack Scott recently wrote about..Sunshine Soup
I can imagine some to find the island a little boring Jack however the Blue Cave definitely brightens up the trip
quite astonishing! A must to add to my list.
Alan recently wrote about..Impressions Backstreet Backdrops in Safranbolu
wow! That is so beautiful. If it came off that blue in a photo, I can’t imagine it in real life. I really need to plan an extended trip to Turkey.
Abby recently wrote about..First taste of winter in Canada
@Alan – You mean somewhere that you have not been? ! I am surprised
@Abby – Extended trip to Turkey is always a good plan.
Natalie recently wrote about..Setting Off On My South Western Tour
Wow – would love to explore more places like these in Turkey!
Andrea recently wrote about..5 Reasons to Love Switzerland Even Though it’s so Damn Expensive!
Technically it is in Greece Andrea but can be accessed on a day trip from Turkey
Natalie recently wrote about..Altinkum Boat Trips – A Lazy Day Cruising
Incredible! The color of the cave is just mesmerizing!
Shirlene from Idelish recently wrote about..{USA} Surfing with Goofy Foot Surf School in Maui
It is mesmerizing Shirlene. So beautiful
just catching up with your blogg Natalie we’ve been in Ireland for a few days visiting Sheila + Billy i saw this photo on your facebook page and it looks stunning
i can see the pirates binging there stolen gold here it looks like its well worth a visit laid on the bottom of a boat
I’m so amazed by that water – what a beautiful shade of blue. I wonder what makes it that way? Yet another place to visit in the Mediterranean.
Sherry recently wrote about..“The Hoh”
@Phil and Di – read you were in Ireland. hope you had a great time.
@Sherry – I am not sure why the water is so blue but it is truly beautiful
Natalie recently wrote about..Venosa Beach Resort and Spa
Looks amazing there Natalie. Countless days have been spent on that beautiful Greek island and we have never made it to the blue cave. Might have to rectify that soon.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently wrote about..Istanbul: Eurasia Marathon Expo 2011
Julia – Next time you go to Meis. Definitely jump on Kostos’s boat. Bit of a hair rising ride but once you get there it is fantastic.
Natalie recently wrote about..Ramadan – An Outsiders Experience of the Islamic Month of Fasting
This is a wonderful story Natalie! I would certainly do it
and from the one image posted here, the place looks heavenly…
Siddartha Joshi recently wrote about..Sridarshini dosas, a dead body and plenty of colors
It was a wonderful place Sid that I strongly recommend to everyone to do when they go to Meis.
Natalie recently wrote about..Hande Yener – Star of the Turkish Pop Music Scene
We did something similar in Malta, and the caves were so gorgeous! The water was crystal clear and the most phenomenal shade of blue…. but the jet boat ride sucked.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently wrote about..A Hodgepodge of Berlin Architecture
Same as my jet boat ride then Christy!
Beautiful pictures Natalie. It did remind me of the blue grotto in Italy. So serene and blue!!!
Sarah Wu recently wrote about..Epcot – Around The World in a Day
Thanks Sarah – I could do a tour of all the blue caves within the world. They really are so special
Natalie recently wrote about..Adventure Rope Climbing In Kemer
Whoa, that blue is amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Bret @ Green Global Travel recently wrote about..GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Day 4- Photo Gallery
What an amazingly beautiful adventure!
Nancie recently wrote about..Travel Photo Thursday — December 28th, 2011 — Being a Beach Bum in Hua Hin Thailand
The sea was very choppy the day I came to the Isle of Capri hence was not able to see the Blue Grotto.
So you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I saw the Blue Cave in Meis. While in the cave a seal also popped in and the guide was just as ecstatic as apparently it is a sign of goodluck. I e-mailed him the photo I took in the cave with the seal, just as he requested.
? wish I’d know about this blue cave back when I did my one and only visa run to Meis before I got my residence permit. Looks like it might be worth another trip!
It is totally worth it Ellen – just for the cave – bit hard to get good photographs but the experience makes up for it