I was 24 years old and on my first package trip holiday with a group of girlfriends. We were staying in the mountains in Hisaranou, near to the beautiful Olu Deniz lagoon.
We had booked onto an Islands boat cruise which in short was a mixture of cruising around the local islands, sunbathing, and swimming with food and drinks thrown in for good measure.
Being exceptionally hot down by the coast it was a relief for the six of us get on a boat and benefit from a cooling sea breeze. If you have ever done a boat trip in Turkey I would thoroughly recommend it. We were looked after by our Turkish hosts fantastically. Food was included and a delicious spread of Turkish food was available for lunch. Drinks were chargeable on top, but back in 1996 the cost of a bottle beer was about 50p so we were able to keep our levels topped up without worrying
It was soon after lunch that we stopped at a couple of islands with gorgeous sandy beaches. I was slightly tipsy from the drinks with lunch, but was pleased with myself as compared to a number of the others on the boat I was remarkably sober. It had been lovely laying in the sun, letting my mind drift. I was missing my boyfriend who I had left back in the UK and I will admit to been have missing attention from him, now ten days into the trip.
Anyway, my friends were sleepy and I decided to cool off in the water. I climbed from the boat into what I can only describe as a beautiful warm sea, lay on my back, and slowly drifted away from the boat. The cooling waters sent delicious shivers through my body, my skimpy bikini allowing the maximum of my body to be exposed.
I drifted between the two islands. It was lovely and quiet and hardly anyone else about. Most people on our trip and the boat anchored up nearby appeared to be dozing on their boats and I felt like I had the place to myself.
I slowly moved myself backwards using just my hands, when suddenly I bumped into something. I turned quickly, shocked, fortunately the water was only chest deep or I might of got a mouthful. "Ciao," a voice said. I looked round and was confronted by what I can only describe as the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He was tall, dark haired, tanned and with a beautiful face. He smiled. I had to catch my breath.
"Hi," I said.
He smiled again.
"English?" he asked.
"Yes," I nodded.
"No speak," he said.
I could see this wasnt going to be easy. I didnt speak any other languages. I pointed to myself and said, "I'm Anna."
He just smiled.
I didnt see much point continuing this and started to step away. Unfortunately there was a dip in the sandy sea bed which I managed to step into. I stumbled starting to fall but I felt a strong hand grab my arm. He pulled me up,
"Thanks," I mumbled, looking into his almost black eyes. God he was gorgeous, the sort of eyes you can just lose yourself in. He smiled again. I shook myself from my daze, realising I was staring. I wish he would stop smiling, it was making me go all weak at the knees.
He stepped towards me, I stared up at him
Oh god, he got close, I think he is going to kiss me!
He leaned in placing a soft kiss on my lips. I was taken aback, but he felt as good as he looked and I sort of stood there dumbfounded.