Reflections on Alanya; Sunsets

Reflections on Alanya; Sunsets I have lived in Turkey for twenty years, and the sunsets here never fail to astound me with their beauty and individuality. Like the day preceding, it has its own character and shape, never the same, yet always predictable. As the seasons change so too does time, from the early evening, when you can sit with a coffee and watch it disappear or later evening when you can enjoy its splendour with an aptly named Sundowner. I am lucky enough to live on the Cleopatra Beach side of Alanya on the Turkish Riviera, and over the years the gardens and the beach have become very popular for ‘sunset’ photographs, with tourists and bridal couples competing for the best spot. In fact, the romance and intimacy of these shots have diminished somewhat due to the demand, but the standard and innovation of the photographers have certainly increased, so a definite ‘must-do’ for everybody’s album. My favourites are the slightly cutesy ones of people holding the sun in-between their hands or fingers; they always make me smile. Not sure if that is because of the photo or the actual planning and setting of the scene I have seen so often on the beach. One photographer was a little late, and his customers had to crouch to get the shot and needed to keep backing up. Oh, yes the inevitable! First off they looked like crabs scuttling back on his instructions, which was highly amusing to us stalwarts who sit there watching. Then of course it came, the biggest wave of the day, crashing over them and not only drenching them but scattering them across the beach. As they shook themselves free of water and sand, the lady was shouting, ‘did you get the shot’. I will admit to a moment of quiet, uncontrolled laughter; apparently, he had got the shot and they all left the beach quite happy. For anyone who travels around Alanya, a trip on the No1 dolmus (public transport) nearing sunset is very rewarding. The timing and occupancy should be just right but when it is you get the splendour of the sun setting behind the peninsula. Its route, highlighting the centuries-old castle and its battlements. Reminding you that while time moves on somethings remain, connecting us to our past in a strange and wonderful way. If we happened to have a cruise ship in the harbour it in no way deflects from this sense of history and awe, just enhances the connection. Travel through the city loses you the sinking sun for about five mins but if you are lucky and there are not too many stops you will arrive alongside Damlatas or Cleopatra Beach in time for its finale. The spreading fingers of red, orange and gold and the huge glowing ball slowly sinking into the sea. Awesome, peaceful and relaxing. The day, however, it has been for you, ends in glorious colour, a wonderful moment in time that is as individual as the person viewing it. Taken from my blog thegoldenagers.com