| OIL WRESTLING HOLIDAY IN TURKEY Bodrum - Mentese 17th - 24th July 2009 |
Wrestling has been exercised in Turkey since 1640 and is a very popular sport. But Turkey has a unique traditional wrestling variation “ Oil Wrestling. The name is a big give away, the wrestlers cover themselves from head to foot with oil before they compete, it even has a dress code “ wrestlers (Pehlivan) wear only a specially designed pair of pants (Kispet) made from water buffalo hide and often weighing more than 13kg. In oil wrestling the majority of points are scored when the opponents hands go through the other persons kispet, by doing this the wrestler can grab hold of his opponents kispet lower down (paca) and in doing so control him. A pehlivan is defeated as soon as his chest is facing upwards towards the sky, or as soon as an open fall occurs. Turkish Oil Wrestling became established as a sport by the Ottoman Sultan, Orhan Gazi together with his brother and forty warriors while capturing fortresses. Where ever they camped to settle for the night the men would start to wrestle for pleasure, 2 of the men wrestled for hours but neither managed to win, they fought all day and night until eventually they both collapsed and died of exhaustion. Their friends buried them where they died and left and when they returned to the burial site years later they were amazed to see that forty springs had arisen at the burial site and so it was named Kirkpinar (forty springs). Oil Wrestling is a sport that is passed from father to son. If its not already in the family theres little chance of taking the sport up. While all wrestlers may come across as being tough guys there skin is always very soft. Today in several places in Turkey oil tournaments are held and Mentese is the second biggest oil wrestling in Turkey which is held in the nature beauty of Yerkupe. Mentese is located in South Agean Turkey , 90 km away from Bodrum.It is a pleasant drive to mountains 1000 meter high.The wrestling festival is organised every year third saturday & sunday of the month July. Saturdays local people from the area come to the wrestling area which is located over the famous Yerkupe cave.They make picnic in the area and musicians play for them.In the evening every year a music concert is held.Untill the first lights of next morning music and dancing continues with pleasure..Sunday morning with the famous band of big drums(davul) and zurna the tournament starts and goes on untill the sunrise. We will be looking forward to hosting you in this week in Turkey! |
| 17th - 24th JULY 2008 YERKUPE OIL WRESTLING TOUR PROGRAMME I7th July Friday - Day 1 Arrive Bodrum international .You will be met by Caravanturkey hosts and transfer to Gokpinar Retreat Center which is 30 minutes drive away from airport. (L,D) 18th July Saturday - Day 2 Departure from the center by private coach and a 2 hour drive to Mentese where the famous 16th Annual Yerkupe Oil Wrestling Tournament will be held.Picnic lunch in Yerkupe.Dinner will be at alocal restaurant in yerkupe and then we will be at the music concert in the same area.It is almost like a music and dance party in the great atmosphere of Yerkupe in the open air under the stars.Overnight stay in one of the local houses.(B) 19th July Sunday - Day 3 After breakfast we will be in the wrestling area as the wrestling tournament starts today. All day great show of turkish wrestlers all around Turkey.The tournament generally finishes around 20.00 in the evening.Right after the tournament we will be back to Gokpinar Retreat Center after a 2 hours drive by our private coach.(B,D) 20th July Monday - Day 4 We will be resting today in the center.You can walk in the nature ,meet villagers.The lunch and dinner will be served in the center prepared by local women.(B,L,D) 21st July Tuesday - Day 5 Right after breakfast in the center we will drive to Bodrum center.Today you can explore Bodrum,with its beach cafes,famous castle and the museum.There is also enough time for shopping.In the evening we will be back to center.Dinner will be served in the center. (B,D) 22nd July Wednesday - Day 6 Right after breakfast in the center we will be driving to best beaches of Bodrum peninsula.Enjoy swimming in the Agean. (B) 23rd July Thursday - Day 7 Afree day in the center.Optional tours can be arranged upon request.In the vening there will be a bellydancer show in the center by the dinner. (B,L,D) 24th July Friday - Day 8 Transfer to Bodrum airport for your international flight . Please remember this programme can be customized.Additional days in Istanbul,Ephesus,Pamukkale,Cappadocia can be arranged, The tour includes : 7 nights accommodation, Pofessional english speaking guiding all week Oil wrestling tournament and concert entrance tickets All ground transfers. Meals mentioned in the itinerary (B ; Breakfast L : Lunch D : Dinner) The tour excludes : Travel insurance International flight The tour costs per person in double room : 750 USD / 375 GBP / 500 euros single supplement : 140USD / 70 GBP / 105 euros BOOKING : For booking enquiries please e-mail us at info@caravanturkey.com A 400 USD/ 200 GBP / 300 euros deposit can be paid with credit card or pay pal for booking.The rest can be paid upon arrival. |
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