"I was born in Dalyan, a tiny village nestling under the Lycian of Caunus, opposite of Dalyan, in 1952. At that time these small villages had no electricity, no drainage, no roads. We used kerosene lamps, brought water from the well along dusty paths. Most of our foods were based on homegrown products: milk for yoghurt, cheese, butter, draining in muslin bags on the terraces of our houses; corn for bread; olive oil for cooking and making soap; fruits and vegetables; fish from the river and sea. There was little medicine and we were poor. I was 14 when I watched my mother die of appendicitis.

That year, having finished school in Dalyan I started as an apprentice in archaeology at Caunus, where I worked for 3 summers, At 17 I went to İstanbul to study English at nights while working for AEG in the day. Following my military service as a receptionist I finally returned to Dalyan. In 1974 I bought my first boat and that summer started day trips for yacht customers wishing to see Dalyan, Caunus, for fresh water swimming, in the Lake of Köyceğiz. These were a great success. In the winters I worked at Royal Eagle, Hotel as a service porter, at Paddington in London to improve my English, returning to Dalyan for the summers.

I have lived in big cities, I have travelled to America, Europe and Australia but Dalyan is home, my paradise, where I feel 'light'.

I hope you will visit Turkey and come to see the unique, natural beauty and history of ancient city Caunus and Dalyan."

Abidin Kurt.