Here is the thing about Patara. I actually liked this small quaint village that is part of the Lycian way trekking route but a series of events forced me to wonder if Patara did not want me on its doorstep.
I am a great believer in the sixth sense, paying heed to our intuition and after a disastrous three days in the small village, I really did wonder if a supernatural force was trying to tell me that I was not welcome.
A series of events forced me to make the promise that I won’t ever return.
Soaked on Patara Beach
It all started two hours after I had arrived and dumped my bags at the hotel. I found my way to the famous Patara beach which is 18km of sand, listed as one of the best beaches in Turkey and is a protected area for the Caretta Caretta turtle.
While I was enthralled in the moment and taking pictures from all angles, the heavens opened and gale force winds caused loose grain of sands to fly into my hair, into my camera lens and also hamper my vision as to where to seek cover.
Eventually I made it to a small hut restaurant, but I was soaked right through. My top and trousers were clinging to me. My hair was dripping wet and sticking fast to my face. Head down with embarrassment, I walked into the restaurant and past people who were staring while leaving a trail of water and sand behind me.
My visit to Patara beach had not gone as planned.
The Ancient Ruins were not Kind to Me Either
The next thing to do on my bucket list was to see the ancient ruins of Patara. They are listed as one of the recommended historical sites on the Lycian way trek. The problem was that I could not find them.
I was looking for one massive historical site that could be seen for miles but it transpired that the ruins are scattered all over the countryside. That is why you are giving a map when you pay your entrance fee! (I had just shoved the map in my bag without even looking at it)
Anyway, I was quite thrilled to be slowly making my way around the Angora, theatre and market street. Unfortunately previous rain fall had turned the path slippery and muddy so getting around was proving to be an ordeal.
I should have realized that at some point, I was bound to end up slipping, landing on my rear end with dented pride and a great fear that I had bruised my coxic bone.
Walking away in pain, I figured that bad luck always comes in a batch of three so that was two down, one to go.
Food poisoning was next
I assumed that the disaster at Patara Beach and the ruins were the reasons why I was feeling very lethargic when night time came. I went to bed early however it turned out to be something more than lethargy.
Around 1am in the morning, I woke up drenched in sweat and with an urgent need to throw up. For the next 24 hours, I was confined to my hotel room with violent sickness from both ends and a strong belief that I was on deaths doorstep!
Without the hotel manager bringing me tea and offering to buy any medicines I needed, I could have quite easily given up at that point. I ended up on the phone, crying to my friend about my sickness which I strongly suspected to be food poisoning.
Let’s not forget about mosquitoes!
Living in Turkey, I am no stranger to mosquitoes but the size and persistence of the mosquitoes in Patara made me believe they were genetically modified!
Despite covering myself in cream and spraying the room to the point of choking, I still woke up in the morning with a face that resembled Frankenstein due to the mosquitoes.
The heavy rainfall in previous days and the large lake in Patara had forced the mosquitoes out in droves to suck blood from any innocent soul.
Did Anything Good Happen?
Well, yes. Despite setbacks, I found Patara beach to be beautiful and the ruins to be magnificent. Out of all the historical ruins listed on the Lycian way trek, Patara is a must-see as it was one of the ancient cities of the Lycian league and I am proud to say that I have been there
Let’s not forget about the hotel manager who insisted that I had just came at the wrong time of year and told me that August is the best time to visit. He was also very helpful in my time of sickness and with giving me local information.
There was also the crazy Italian who was part owner of the hotel and called Luca. His expressions and the way he spoke English with an Italian accent just brightened up my disastrous days and made me laugh.
My Departure from Patara
As I was leaving Patara to continue the route of the Lycian way trek, I had an overwhelming feeling of relief. Despite its appealing rustic and laid back vibes, the combination of bad events have left me with memories that I have no wish to recall in a hurry.
Would I Recommend Patara for a Holiday?
Yes, if you do not want luxury.
Independent back packers use it as a stopover point on their way to Olympos and elderly couples use it as a base to explore the area by car. There are of course, the trekkers who are following the route of the Lycian way.
Locals told me that at one point; it was a very popular holiday destination however the massive holiday companies withdrawing it from their books soon meant that fewer people visit it every year.
However, I won’t be returning to Patara in this lifetime as I just got the feeling that a supernatural force was telling me I was not welcome.
Poor you. It’s shame a series of mishaps put you off. I hope you’ve fully recovered from the nasty bout of food poisoning. Patara is lovely in season. Great for a day trip. Best time to visit is the Autumn when the sun is less ferocious and the sea is warm.
Jack Scott recently wrote about..Prowler Stocks Perking the Pansies
Just one of those places Jack – When everything went wrong. The locals were nice though so there was some good points to the visit. The bad vibes put me off returning though
Natalie recently wrote about..Kalkan – Inspiration on My Solo Holiday
Hello,
I just wanted to say that I also got food poisoning after eating at the Patara beach ‘restaurant’. I wasn’t sure exactly why I was sick but after reading this, I’m really curious to know if you ate there before being sick.
You were unlucky with the weather because Patara is really nice and rewarding when walking the Lycian way.
Hi Sabrina,
Yes I did eat at that restaurant however I can not pinpoint my sickness down to one place as in the 72 hours before falling sick, I had eaten in 5 different places.
Natalie recently wrote about..Mount Tahtali – To the Sky in a Cable Car
aww I’m sorry that you did not have a totally nice holiday! But yea… I totally get that whole “uhmmm not wanted!!” feeling.
It’s happened to me before.
But those photos look awesome. I wish I could visit places like that. Ruins and history are like a crack addiction to me
I love them!! Can’t get enough~
Jenny recently wrote about..Sponsor Feature: A’musing Blog & Design
Jenny, Glad someone else knows about the not wanted feeling. If history is your thing, the Lycian way is definitely a trek to follow.
Natalie recently wrote about..Adventure Rope Climbing In Kemer
J and I saw Patara about 20 years ago and prefer to keep our memories from that time (having heard what has transpired there in the intervening years). The withdrawal of holiday coys is no surprise considering the outrageous entrance fees being charged a few years back. Sorry to hear about your travails – hope you are all recovered. Plenty of more welcoming place to discover along life’s route.
Alan recently wrote about..‘Jesus Wept!’
Hi Alan, I find entrance fees to a lot of places in Turkey are now rocketing. I spent a fortune when you consider all the sites that I went to.
Natalie recently wrote about..A Guide to Tasty Turkish Street Food
We all have those travel experiences when it just doesn’t quite go right. Not that the place is really that bad, it just don’t quite compare to experiences we’ve had in other places… Hope you have fun wherever you head next.
Sam recently wrote about..An Amazing Hike up to Angels Landing
Thanks Sam, After Patara, I had received my fair share of bad luck and the rest of the tour went great. Hopefully the Black Sea region is next!
Natalie recently wrote about..Five Reasons to Pick Turkey as Your Next Holiday Destination
That sounds like a horrible couple of days!! I am no stranger to mosquitoes either, but the ones that made home in our Croatian apartment this week have a persistence and a superhuman ability to not die. The Lycian Way sounds so incredible, and I’ll try to look forward to Patara someday keeping this in mind!
Do, keep it in mind Dayna, The Lycian way is amazing when you do not come down with food poisoning and attacked on mass by large mosquitoes!
Natalie recently wrote about..Photo – Isn’t Our Earth Amazing?
Wow that was one tragedy after another! But I’m glad you were able to take something out of it.
That food poisoning sounded pretty rough, thank god that as bad as it was it was not more serious.
It sounds like Patara might be the place for a day trip or for one night but not to hang around too long.
Here’s to the next stop on the journey!
John Garrett recently wrote about..Monday Comics – Fantasy Comic THE EVER ZONE
Hi John. Yes looking back, I should have just made Patara a day trip. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. At least I can advise readers now though and I know for the future.
Natalie recently wrote about..Photo Post – Up Close and Personal
Although you didn’t have a great visit your pictures are beautiful! Sorry you got sick too. I have felt those negative feelings before around people though. I can feel the evil. Weird. Love your blog! Your tribemate, Lisa
Lisa Ladrido recently wrote about.."My Feelings are Hungry"~How You Can Help Childhood Obesity
Thanks Lisa, Glad to know that someone else can pick up on vibes as well. I have to say that the locals of Patara were fantastic though
Natalie recently wrote about..Sacrificing a Goat for Kurban Bayram
Oh Natalie, it just didn’t happen did it?
To be honest, I’m not big fan of Patara but it’s for memories of what’s happened there (like you). We don’t really do beaches and we got baked there once. No shade for miles around – and that’s my overriding memory. Sad, I know!
Julia
Ha ha Julia. Someone else with a bad experience as well. A reader on Facebook said she had broke her arm! The beach is lovely though and I would have liked to get the chance to have a swim. Maybe you can get an umbrella if you ever do go back
Natalie recently wrote about..Adventure Rope Climbing In Kemer
I guess the cliche “you win some and you lose some” is appropriate here. Although your experience was not great, your photos tell a different story
True Cam. Everything on the tour had gone perfectly up until then so I was expecting so bad luck to come. Maybe I welcomed it subconsciously. Thanks about the pictures. Will be more happy when I get to your standards though.
Natalie recently wrote about..Five Reasons to Pick Turkey as Your Next Holiday Destination
I agree, your photos make it seem lovely but it just doesn’t work out in some places does it. I think food poisoning can ruin your experience in any place.
Monica recently wrote about..Bloggers Vs Journalists: how we can learn from each other
Would not wish food poisoning on my worst enemy Monica.
Ohhhhh that’s awful! Every traveler has a similar story of a trip that just did not gel. Food poisoning might take the cake!
Abby recently wrote about..My Mini Turtle Rescue in Costa Rica
Everything else went great, before and after that Abby so luckily it was only one place that was ruined for me.
The good thing is you’ve already seen what you wanted to see and never have to go back!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently wrote about..Am I A Digital Nomad Now?
Very true Stephanie. Staying away from the bad luck zone!
Natalie recently wrote about..Photo – Isn’t Our Earth Amazing?
Ugh that sounds like an aweful experience!
Jade Johnston recently wrote about..Midweek Snapshot – Scottish Highlands February 2008
Wow, I can’t say I’ve ever had a travel experience turn quite so disastrous! Your mosquito story reminded me of the Alaska, where the ones in the tundra were about the size of small hummingbirds.
Bret @ Green Global Travel recently wrote about..GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Day 4- Photo Gallery
Bret – I never knew there were mosquitoes in Alaska but you obviously get what I am saying, when I mention they were unusually large.
Natalie recently wrote about..Kalkan – Inspiration on My Solo Holiday
The travel gods were clearly against you…. God, what an appalling quadrifecta.
Theodora recently wrote about..We Love Finland — And You Could Win A Trip There
Natalie, I think every one of us has got that place where EVERY thing goes wrong and the best thing to do is leave at once, however … I had such a lovely time in Patara! I was there for one idyllic and relaxing week. It is shame you won’t return – I stayed at Dardanos Hotel with Arif as my host and he made the entire visit extremely pleasant! He also put a mosquito repellant plug-in in the room to ensure comfort
Happy travels!
Cynthia – Arif was the hotel manager who offered to go to the chemist and get medicines for me when I was sick. If anyone asks me which hotel in Patara, I always say the Dardanos, it is a good hotel.
Natalie recently wrote about..Horse Racing in Turkey – How NOT To Blend In With the Locals
Patara! I really wanted to go when I was in Turkey but didn’t end up making it there. I wonder if I’d have suffered the same fate with weather – it was either monstrously hot or pouring with rain when I was in nearby Fethiye.
I think Gaziantep was the one place that told me I wasn’t welcome. The lack of ice pops pushed me over the edge.
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently wrote about..Jeju Lava Tubes, Or Sign Karma
Gaziantepe is on my list of places to visit Tom – i hope I do not get the same vibes!
Natalie recently wrote about..Is Trabzon The City Of Love?
Well we had a lovely three days at Patara in September and plan to walk there this Christmas.
Must admit tho, the village is a bit creepy. …….
Walk there from where Stuart?
Natalie recently wrote about..People Watching In Sanliurfa (Urfa) and The Regional Dress Codes