GOING WITH THE Flow

DISCOVERING KAŞ THROUGH THE TALES OF THREE STRANGERS: A LOVER, A NOMAD AND A MAN WHO HAS ALWAYS LIVED BY THE SEA

- SHREYA CHEEMA

HIDDEN AWAY IN THE HILLS SKIRTING THE PROVINCE OF Antalya, Kaş lies quietly across the beautiful Turquoise Coast. It neither boasts the luxurious pull of Bodrum nor the Michelinapproved restaurants of Antalya, but the town offers a respite from having to rush from one tourist spot to another. With few tourists, the quaint, bougainvillea-lined alleys and the pristine shores mirror the beauty of towns dotting the Amalfi coast. But unlike them, Kaş is simpler. The locals have no frills, and nothing is too fancy to make you feel out of place. And it's okay if you are visiting without a plan or a list of things to do.

Worn out from two weeks of a whirlwind trip across Istanbul and Cappadocia, trying to squeeze in as much as possible, I dropped the idea of planning my four days in Kaş. I left my itinerary empty, to be filled with the surprises of serendipity. In return, I discovered Kaş in a way I would not otherwise: through the perspectives of a foreigner who came searching for his love, a nomad who carries his home within, and a man who has always lived by the sea.

DAY 1 LOVE

LOST AND GAINED

After a long journey to Kaş—six hours spent on a flight and on the road—I decided against my enthusiasm to explore the neighbourhood on foot. One look at the ocean that spread like a deep blue tarp from my hostel's rooftop bar put the pin on the idea, and I grabbed a spot by the counter.

The evening was beginning to set in. The sun was becoming milder, losing its strength by every minute. The birds sliced across the sky, their calls piercing through the soft rhythm of the waves. "So, what brings you here?" a gentleman working the bar asks me. I point to my right, to the view, which looked like a watercolour painting hung up to dry. It was unreal. Something that could only be imagined, so vivid were the colours. He smiles and nods in agreement as he places a beer before me.