Not as magical

[lorilou]

I must admit that i get a little exasperated when i keep reading the "brits abroad" threads.I have seen germans,russians,americans etc,all behaving in ways that could be described as boorish,rude or offensive on holiday (and the french even do it in France).This type of behaviour is not just down to us.My wife and i  have been coming to Kalkan for a number of years and there have been changes,some we like others not,but this is progress.We ,who are visitors or guests,have no right to say who can or cannot visit Kalkan.We may not like the behaviour of some people,but their money ,as well as ours,keeps the restaurants,shops,hotels etc.going.Without change Kalkan would stagnate.

I agree Johnl. Well said.
L

[itstime]

Thanks Johnl for that post. Yes Kalkan has changed. I first came in the mid 90's and instantly fell in love with Kalkan. Been every year since and witnessed change both good and in a few cases not so good. However I can honestly say I've not experienced any of the real negatives that some others have. Maybe to do with the times I visit, early July and October where although has often been busy it's never felt overcrowded or noisy. Enjoy Kalkan......no I don't enjoy it I absolutely love it. Back again on the 8th October and am absolutely certain of experiencing that all too rare feeling of utter bliss, complete relaxation and a real sense of joy when gazing out at that stunning view to the bay and islands. Kalkan just does it for me and I've never found anywhere else which simply keeps drawing me back. Maybe the rose tinted spectacles are on but I defy anyone to try and remove them from me

[maryjane]

Johnl,  why exasperated when reading about "brits abroad?"  Yes, I agree that other nationalities
can have their "boorish, rude or offensive" sections, but we are talking about our own nationality here!  I am unsure as to where you got the idea that people should be "vetted" prior to them leaving their own shores, and that they can or cannot visit Kalkan?  This was not the intended point of the thread - we no longer live in a Stalinesque era, freedom of choice is now the norm.  Oh gosh, exams beforehand testing on country knowledge - do you not think people might be GENUINELY interested prior to their visit, after all it is not mandatory, but one hell of a compliment to the country involved.   We ALL work hard for our holidays, I do not understand the point that we are lucky in that we can visit early or late, I have  staff here in the UK and make sure they can take their entitlement to suit them - I fit in with gaps in the calendar and am only able to visit late in the season - I do not call that luck!  I call it a good manager! 

[kalkan4eva]

johnl, a very measured repsonse, well said.
We are "unlucky" enough to have no choice in when we will be in Kalkan next year - the first three weeks in August
We have been in Kalkan in August (as a couple) before and whilst it is busier and there are more families that time of year we didnt find any difference in the service we recieved in bars, restaurants and beach clubs to when we have travelled in May, June, July or October. I just struggle with the heat...well my hair struggles with the heat, really
The experiences of east recently and Lancs Lass makes me very apprehensive for our holiday next year, but as we will be travelling with our three grown-up children, perhaps we will be part of the "crowd" that is making Kalkan not so pleasant for couples and indivduals? All I can say is, its costing us an arm and a leg to go in peak weeks and no doubt we'll spend a small fortune when we're there, so I'm determined we'll enjoy it, no matter what.
 

[Hummingbird]

I also would like to say well said Johnl, a well presented and intelligent piece.  It's a shame the original post you are responding to was everything but.

[jayne]

We have to except that Kalkan has changed over the last few years, with a whole differnet dynamic for better for worse.
 
I agree with John, that Brits are no worse than any other nationalitiy, it's ignorance that defines the good from the bad. It's nothing to do with having detailed knowledge of the country or speaking the language, it's common courtesy, manners and respect for the host country - accepting you are a guest and abiding by their rules. It's not difficult but seems to be beyond the capabilities of some holidaymakers. Unfortunately their behaviour is often a refleciton on all of us which is a real shame.
 
Having said all that, we ignore the odd instance of bad service and concenrate on the good, which luckily for us has always been the norm.

[jd2200]

I am starting to feel slightly paranoid !
I went to Kalkan this August and it was my first time, i hope i didn't bring the tone down, i will admit to having dinner in T-shirt and shorts most evenings, but classy T shirt and shirts, no primark honest, and i wasn't sick once, had a spot of Turkish tummy one day though.
I do have a slight midlands accent but its not that bad honestly, most people understand me.
So if i did upset anyone that may of come across me during my two weeks sorry, but i did like Kalkan and would like to come back, perhaps if i sort of let you know when, you could have a vote .......................!!
( thank god for spell checker !! )

[Enişte]

jd - West or East Midlands?......

[fidimax]

WHATS WRONG WITH PRIMARK ?  THE FLIPPEN FLOPPEN ARE GREAT !!!!   

[johnl]

jd.ow amya me cocker.wer dyow live.ope it ay back o bills mothers,cus its tippin it down.

[jd2200]

  lol, Eniste i am afraid its neither really i live in Warwickshire, dont you know !! so south .
johnl, na nowhere near our bills, that pig sittin on the wall puts me off going!
Nothing wrong with primark, sell some of the best wear and discard shirts i have ever owned !!

[Chris18648]

Neil ,trust you to make it a smile !!  I forfeited my holiday in Kalkan this year to finance three Willie Nelson concerts in Scotland,Manchester and London .....it cost me more than two weeks at the Kulube ...but worth every penny. I have been travelling in Turkey for thirty years ,Kalkan and Goceck stole my heart. Last year I felt the change in Kalkan but it was a lovely holiday and I was,as always,sad to leave. The changes were not a problem ,noisier maybe ,neon lights ,and certainly more busy. However, maybe the local business folk think that is what their visitors want .Also , they have a living to earn as every one else does . I bet its peaceful in November !! Chrissie .

[Chris18648]

That reminds me ....... Flppen floppens ....where is Blue Lizard these days .?

[blue lizard]

I is here Honey!!!...with my big beady lizard eyes ..............watching!! (in my Flippen Floppen)

[Lancs lass]

I also would like to say well said Johnl, a well presented and intelligent piece.  It's a shame the original post you are responding to was everything but.

I've been a member of this forum for a few years now, I haven't just joined to air my vengeance with a specific business, wind people up or write about how I disliked Kalkan. This was my third visit in 4 years and I wrote an honest account of MY holiday - MY experiences, and I'm sorry that my account wasn't well presented or intelligent enough for you - thankfully others have received it more positively.

As for this turning into yet another brits abroad thread, I think meeting people on holiday from whatever walk of life only adds to the experience and memories you take away (said with my common northern accent and Primark wardrobe!)
Like I said at the beginning, I still had a great holiday and Kalkan will still be at the top of my favourite places list!

[fidimax]

Well said Lancs Lass.
 
From a Lancs Bloke.   

[lorilou]

[
As for this turning into yet another brits abroad thread, I think meeting people on holiday from whatever walk of life only adds to the experience and memories you take away (said with my common northern accent and Primark wardrobe!)
Like I said at the beginning, I still had a great holiday and Kalkan will still be at the top of my favourite places list!

Hi Lancs Lass - I have the feeling that your original post was confused with another ... your carefully worded piece had lots of positive things to say - I've just re read it and still think it was an articulate, clear and honest account of your experience.

I also enjoyed your 'fortnight of food' review, again, well written and considered. It also brought a few new places to my attention for October. Cant wait!
L

[Hummingbird]

I find " Brits Abroad" destroy every nice place.. with their total ignorance of the culture and traditions of the country they visit! How many brits know about Kemel Ataturk and what he did in 1923! and why the Turkish people have his portrait everywhere? And Ramazan? Wow ! Next year go to Benidorm!

My post did not relate to you at all Lancs lass.  I enjoyed reading your post.
 
This is the post I was referring to.
 
It annoyed me.  Why be so negative and even nasty about the general characteristics of fellow Brits?  Even if it’s something you believe I don’t think it is right to post something like that on a public forum.  My first reaction was surely this poster cannot be a Brit.
The section about M K Ataturk was again a broad derogatory statement which had an “I am Holier than thou” element to it and was completely unnecessary in my view. 
I find EK to be rewarding and worth a regular visit because it manages to be mostly positive, informative and constructive and long may this continue.
 

[lorilou]

I find " Brits Abroad" destroy every nice place.. with their total ignorance of the culture and traditions of the country they visit! How many brits know about Kemel Ataturk and what he did in 1923! and why the Turkish people have his portrait everywhere? And Ramazan? Wow ! Next year go to Benidorm!

My post did not relate to you at all Lancs lass.  I enjoyed reading your post.
 
This is the post I was referring to.
 
....

I find EK to be rewarding and worth a regular visit because it manages to be mostly positive, informative and constructive and long may this continue.

Hummingbird - thank so much for clearing that up! It just felt wrong, somehow ... I know that Lancslass was rightly upset by the comments which appeared to be aimed at ther report - and her ...
Yes, I found Rockykalamar's post equally negative, patronizing and unnecessary.

Absolutely agree with you.
L

[maryjane]

Hi, blue lizard
Have purchased 4 pairs of flippen floppen (good 'ole Primark) -BEWARE hoppin' leapin' strangers next week!  We are back!    Kind regards "Terminator 3!"