October 02, 2026 - Rhodes Town to Faralya, Turkiye
(Mango and Mandarin Boutique Hotel)
Day 25 - the Curse of Kastellorizo continued
Given we could not get to Kastellorizo we considered staying in Rhodes or taking a ferry to Fethiye, Turkiye. With Zacosta fully booked (although George did secure a room at another hotel if we needed it) we found a ferry line with a sailing at 4:30 pm to Fethiye. We decided to take it. We then spent the afternoon waiting at the port before paying our entry tax (10 euros each), going through passport control and boarding the Sea Star Lindos for what was scheduled to be a 1 1/2 hour trip.
We had emailed the rental car company requesting a change to pick up our vehicle in Fethiye today rather than in Kas two days from now. We asked to be met at the port but had not received a confirmation before departing. We crossed our fingers someone would be there.
While having left right on time unfortunately the ferry was somewhat slow crossing, not arriving until nearly 6:30 pm. We then had to go through Turkish passport control after which we looked for someone from Oscar Rent a Car without seeing anyone. We were quite worried as it was now approaching 7:00 pm, the closing time for the car rental. Gayle did a good job hailing a taxi. The driver's English was quite weak which had us more worried as we wound our way through the city for what seemed like a long time. That said, we were quite surprised at how inexpensive the taxi was, only 7.5 euros.
It was now dark and nearly 7:15 pm, with us worried the car rental agency would be closed when we arrived. However, much to our pleasure the fellow was waiting for us. His English was good and he was very proficient at his job. We were very appreciative.
Now pushing 8:00 pm we had a vehicle (larger than I would have liked but that was also the case the previous time we rented a car in Turkiye) and headed out in the dark through Fethiye, to Oloduniz and on to Faralya. The fellow at Oscar warned us to drive slow as there will be some twisty mountain driving.
Although only 24 kms Google Maps had the trip taking 45 minutes. In reality as we stopped a few times to check our bearings it took us over an hour to get to where we thought our hotel was. Unfortunately arriving where it was supposed to be and actually finding it were two very different things. Signage is non-existant. We stopped at a restaurant where we got directions but still no luck. We drove up a small lane, that turned out to be the correct one but there was no sign of the hotel so we headed back down, and around, left, then right. Someone told us it was behind the taxi stand. We parked in the taxi stand but could see nothing. Finally Gayle walked up behind the taxi stand and found Aysegul, the manager of Mango and Mandarin Boutique Hotel. It was now after 9:30 pm. We were tired but very relieved.
While dinner had finished we were offered bread and a number of mezes which were delivered to our room, and most welcome.
We then immediately crashed after what was a very stressful day.
After a two hour ferry we arrived in Fethiye, no doubt a sailing hub for the west coast of Turkiye.
We then took a taxi to Oscar Rent A Car where we picked up our vehicle and headed out (now in the dark) of Fethiye, south to Oloduniz, and then along the mountainous coastline to Faralya where we eventually found our lodging - Mango and Mandarin Boutique Hotel.
Beans cooked in tomatoes. Eggplant with onions and who knows what?
Yoghurt and grilled vegetables. More onions.
A return to Turkiye
for the fourth time, this time somewhat further south.
After three and a half weeks in Greece we returned to Turkiye for the portion of our 2025 planned trip that did not happen due to Norm's fall in Kastellorizo. The plan was to cross to Turkish
- from Kastellorizo on a short (20 minute) ferry to Kas in Turkiye from where
- we will immediately head north to Kalkan for a stay at Fidanka Hotel (four nights), followed by
- a stay Mango and Mandarin (four nights) in Oludeniz-Fethiye,
Finally we fly from Dalaman airport to Istanbul where we will overnight in the Turkish lounge before flying to Athens in the morning to connect with our flight home.
A total of nine nights planned in Turkiye, returning home October 13th.
