TRAVELSPECIAL
To dive with Dervishes
Tony Baskeyfield went on a supposedly non-diving holiday to the Turkish city of Side , but discovered the perfect excuse for a cheeky dive
The Side Underwater Museum is the first aquatic museum of its kind in Turkey , with 114 sculptures depicting ancient gods from Amphitrite to the brother of Zeus . There are also statues of the Turkish War of Independence ; camel caravans ; Mevlevi whirling dervishes ; and the Temple of Poseidon , the latter being the biggest and most impressive reconstruction . The statue heights range from 1-6 metres and have been placed at depths of 12 , 18 and 25 metres .
The historical city of Side is a resort area on Turkey ’ s southern Mediterranean coast . This ancient port city is known for long beaches and Greco-Roman ruins . In the city centre are the remains of a 2nd Century Antique Theatre . White marble columns of the Hellenistic Temple of Athena stand near the harbour . Other sites are sprinkled throughout , with finds housed at the Side Museum , a restored Roman bath complex .
The Underwater Museum portrays the richness of Anatolian civilization and was created underwater , 1.5 miles off the city in 2015 . Since then , the exhibits have matured and are now green , covered in a layer of weed and algae , melding into the natural environment .
By good fortune , I found details of the Side Underwater Museum tourist excursion online and signed up for a tour in England while we were still in the process booking our ‘ non-diving ’ holiday . It seemed like a good deal : two people , two boat dives , $ 35 each , with full kit provided . I told my wife , Cheryl , that this would be a great ‘ historical excursion ’ to do and although this wasn ’ t a ‘ diving ’ holiday , I would just take one underwater camera ! With the okay from the boss , I set about getting my stuff ready . In the end , I needed to take another camera , and couple more lenses , three flashguns … and a pelican case to put them all in . And yes , another 23kg of baggage allowance !
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