A different world. The village of Bezirgan
comfortably nesting on an ancient mountain lake bed 17 km. away from Kalkan
has long been the traditional summer home for local residents seeking
respite from the unrelenting summer heat and a day spent exploring this
authentic Turkish village, untouched by tourism, is a MUST.
The spectacular drive following the road ascending high above Kalkan
affords wonderful views of the sparkling Mediterranean, the rugged depths of
Kaputaş Gorge and a surprising change of vegetation as the altitude
increases before the final incline is crested revealing the sprawling,
verdant beauty of the village.
Bezirgan
is indeed a land of milk and honey, fruitful orchards, fields yielding crops
of grain and chickpeas and the summer grazing land of contented sheep and
goats.
Visitors arriving at this perfect spot will want to absorb the atmosphere
and watch the workings of a way of life that reaches back to distant times.
A tour of the village is a popular choice and the preferred mode of
transport is usually astride one of the many horses or mules that are led by
their handlers along the village lanes but it should be noted that almost
the same route may be covered in the comfort of a vehicle or on foot.
Refreshed by a glass of tea sipped outside the old school our adventure
starts with an introduction to the peculiarities of the Turkish saddle and
sure knowledge that any previous riding experience will be of little help
from now on! There is so much to be seen, and photographed, passing by the
village houses and gardens. Keep your eyes open and you may, depending on
the season, may see animals shorn, raw wool processed, grain winnowed, fruit
and laid out to dry for winter use and perhaps even a glimpse of a family
festivity. More tea will be enjoyed, during a stop at the village green,
before the cavalcade reaches an ancient Ottoman cemetery and an area which
is unexcavated archeological site predating the Christian Era.
For many the highlight of the day is being seated on plump cushions in
the leafy shade of a peaceful garden with time to enjoy the splendor of
encircling mountains, the muted country sounds and, of course, savoring the
delights of the typical meal graciously served by our host and his family.
Replete with good food one can doze or, if more energetically inclined,
stroll around the neighborhood with the expectation of being invited into
drink yet another glass of çay (tea).
Always there are feelings of sadness when the farewells are said and
homeward trek begins but fortunately the return journey via an alternative
route has its own special attractions which come in the form of a visit to
an ornately sculpted Lycian house rock tomb, the working under shot water
mill and adjacent mosque in İslamlarköy.
The return to Kalkan will be in the late afternoon but it will be on many
occasions thereafter you will reflect on the day spent in Bezirgan that
different wonderful world.