Mencuna Konaklari

From the parking spot in Kamilet Valley, it’s about a 750-meter walk to Mençuna. The falls are nearly 100 meters high, and the water is strongest in April and May, though it’s still impressive during a dry summer. Take a dip in the little pool underneath, and have some properly piping-hot Blacksea tea before or after the climb. One of Turkey’s most beautiful waterfalls, and a must-see if you’re nearby.

We slept to the sound of the river and waterfall, which made for such a peaceful stay. Our bungalow-style room was on the second floor, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a balcony where we could sit with drinks and watch the water. The beds were comfortable, everything was sparkling clean, and the shower had both hot and cold water. There’s a car park outside, and the owners were friendly, helpful, and available at any time. We climbed up to the little teashop on the mountain, and the view made it well worth the effort. Nearby, vadi restaurant served fresh homemade local food. A really lovely nature retreat, and one I’d come back to.

We paid a lot for a tiny cabin beside the kitchen, where the noise carried all night. It was so cramped that the toilet was just a meter from the bed. There wasn’t any electricity in the morning, which meant no internet or hot water, and the host was rude. The place seemed understaffed too. I’d stay in arahvi and visit the area for the day instead. This wasn’t worth the money.

The road is the one drawback, though I suppose getting to this kind of nature calls for it. Everything else was great, and the workers were friendly. I hope no human work ever gets done around here.