Birthday Party at the End of the World

There are several places on our planet which call themselves ‘End of the world’, because once there, you get the impression that one step further would lead you into the nowhere of beyond.

One such place is to be found in Turkey and that’s the one I chose for a belated birthday party with my friends. The village is called Doganbey, located on the Aegean Sea. The village consists of two parts: one high up in the mountains and the smaller one down by the sea. Doganbey proper is fascinating and somewhat eerie. It has been abandoned for a long time and the big stone house have fallen into disarray. However, since a year or two, Doganbey is experiencing a survival and the houses are being lovingly restored.

The mountain part of Doganbey

One of the restored houses

But, my destination was the part by the sea because my friends and I wanted to eat fish. A winding road leads down the mountain and then comes to an abrupt end.  You literally can’t go any further. A gendarme post puts an end to the world, because beyond just lies the sea and then…Greece.

End of the road

Karina, a well known fish restaurant marks the final stop of civilization. Utterly romantic, isolated, rustic, simple and unspoilt, what else could you wish for?

Still empty table

Doesn't it look romantic?

We are. after all, in the land of statues!

And then, of course, there is the fish, Fresh out of the sea, you take your pick, the charcoal grill is fired up and, in due course, the succulent fish is served to you. No fancy stuff, no sauces or elaborate garnish, just the pure taste with lemon juice and a selection of mezze for starters. Accompanied by a huge salad with many of the greens which are so typical for the area.

Enjoyed with a glass of wine, bread, breathing in the sea air and  fooling a round with the ducks which live on the beach and a little monkey which is a mascot…nothing can be more relaxing.

My friend is an artist who makes the most wonderful pottery which resembles lace. She gave me a candle holder for my birthday and I took it with me. The candle burned whilst the sun was slowly setting. A wonderful way to celebrate a birthday, belated or not.

Tags: aegean sea, doganbey, pottery, stone houses, turkish fish restaurant