Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Places to Visit / Things to Do / Excursions => Topic started by: evansgm on May 19, 2013, 05:30:09 PM
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I don’t normally write forum reviews, but I’ve just returned from Kaş, where my wife, four friends (two other couples), and I, spent my 30th birthday. We had a fantastic time, so I felt I really had to share my experience.
It was the first time that I’ve been on a boat journey like this and I loved it so much that we actually ended up taking a second trip at the end of our holiday too, which I have posted as another article under this topic.
The highlight of our two week trip, without question, was the day trip we took, on my actual birthday, aboard Captain Ergun’s charter boat, booked with a company called Boat trip Turkey – Google it and you’ll find them quite easily. Although I knew we were going to Kaş, I had no idea that my wife had booked the trip; it was a complete surprise, and what a great way to celebrate my 30th birthday.
We arrived at Kaş Harbour quite early and I was amazed by the service right from the off. Captain Ergun greeted us personally, and he and his crew were so welcoming, and made us all feel at home right away; he and the crew couldn’t do enough for us.
Our first stop was at Pigeon Island, I can’t remember the Turkish name (?), which was a pretty amazing setting in itself, but was also a great place to snorkel. Bizarrely, there is an underwater stone sculpture of a shark in the water, which was not something that I thought I would ever see.
The emphasis of the day was on relaxation, which was exactly how I wanted to spend my birthday; my wife knows me too well! We made a few stops, en route to the islands, which gave us plenty of time to get the on-board toys out. The snorkelling was great, but Captain Ergun also let us use his underwater camera, so we have some great underwater birthday shots, and the Sea Scooter was pretty cool too.
After a few hours of playing around, we set off for the Islands, there are 12 in total, and I got to see a real shipwreck, for the first time, as well as swim through an underwater canyon.
After all that swimming, we were all pretty tired, so lunch time was a welcome occasion. The head chef was actually Captain Ergun’s wife, and the food she had whipped up was astounding! There were Turkish mezes, grilled kebabs, and all sorts of fantastic things to try. As it was my birthday, Captain Ergun even had a complimentary cake and a bottle of champagne; it was the perfect birthday lunch, in an unforgettable setting.
Once the food had gone down, and it took a while, we headed for Limanağzı Koyu', for a few hours on dry land, to check out the ancient tombs, before moving on to Büyük Çakıl beach, where we soaked in some last minute sun, and enjoyed some fruit and tea, before heading back to Kaş.
If you’re looking to take a boat trip while in Kaş, I can highly recommend booking a day trip with Boat Trip Turkey. Although my wife did all the arranging, she tells me that their customer service was first rate, and they were always on hand to answer any questions. She also didn’t ask for the birthday cake and champagne, Captain Ergun and his crew arranged that off their own bat.
The day out was amazing and an unforgettable way to spend my 30th birthday.
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I hope I've done this right, apologies if not, but this is the follow up post about the second boat trip that we took in Kas, hope you enjoy it.....
After being amazed at how much I enjoyed the Islands Tour that I took with Boat Trip Turkey, with a few days to kill at the end of our two week holiday, we decided to try our luck and see if we could book a last minute Kekova tour, to top off our two weeks in Kaş.
Fortunately, we were in luck as there was a last minute cancellation, and as we had already been out on Captain Ergun’s boat once during our holiday, he bumped us to the front of the queue!
The Kekova Tour was completely different to Islands Tour, and was a good mix of sea and land based adventure.
The fun started as soon as we set sail. I’m a keen fisherman, but I’ve never fished in the sea before, so catching my first leer fish was a memorable experience for me, although I did need a few pointers from the crew! Cheers guys!
After an hour or so of fishing, we arrived at Yalija Bay, where we did a spot of snorkelling. The real snorkelling highlight of the day, however, was swimming in Aquarium Cove; as the name suggests, it was like being in an aquarium – so many different kinds of fish and bright colours – it was astounding.
After a traditional Turkish lunch, which I have now well and truly got the taste for, we set sail for “Shipyard Cove.” Nothing could quite have prepared me for this! Because of an earthquake about two thousand years ago, Lycia was split apart, causing homes, roads, and public structures to be submerged underwater; you can still see these sights to this very day, and it’s an unforgettable image.
As a history buff, our next stopping point, Kaleköy, was of particular interest, and one of the reasons that I wanted to take the trip in the first place. At Kaleköy, there is a castle from the byzantine and roman eras, as well as a Lycian Royal Cemetery, littered with sarcophagi. This was the highlight of the trip for me, and is a must see for any history aficionados out there.
On the way back to Kaş, we stopped off to see Üçağız Village, as well as taking some time to relax in the beautiful Inonu Bay.
Once again, Captain Ergun and his crew were welcoming, friendly, and couldn’t do enough for us. His wife is also an absolute genius in the kitchen! Two boat trips with the same company says a lot about how much we enjoyed ourselves. We would certainly recommend Boat Trip Turkey to any other holidaymakers who are heading to Kaş.
One thing is for sure, we’ll certainly be booking again next time we are in Kaş.
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Ah Captain Ergun again!
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the subtle art of advertising has sadly gone from this forum, anyway if you would like a very nice left hand drive classic car to drive from Kalkan to Capt Ergun's boat in Kas, have a look at www.classiceuropeancars.co.uk
For EK members only, i would be happy to deliver ;D
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ha ha ;)
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This beats watching the British Soap Awards! glad to put a smile on your face ::)
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Perhaps you could then have your cars repaired at my husbands body shop who incidentally specialises in classic car repairs. I'm happy to share the website if anyone likes!!!
We have actually had a boat trip with cp'n Ergun and while it was a really good day out, I'm almost embarrassed to admit it after all the cheesy advertising he puts on here!!
C'mon cp'n Ergun! enough is enough. ;) ::)
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does he have a website which we could all view?
all this is nearly as bad as the new restaurant that was being advertised with a well known "pirate of the Carribean" managing it last year which lasted only a short time!!!!
Maybe EK could set up "lets have a laugh zone"
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He does indeed whiteonyx. It is www.base-autobodies.co.uk, I feel very naughty doing this!!!
;D >:D Anyone else playing out? I feel a spot of mischief going on O0
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Doesnt the original post really belong on Enjoy Kas as opposed to Enjoy Kalkan?
....just asking ::)
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Maybe we could have a 'business card pot' such as those that can be found on bars and next to tills in cafes/restaurants? We could all chuck in a 'business card' for a bit of shameless advertising! That way everyone knows its a flash it and flaunt it (in a good way)?!
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Holy Shmoley!!! Flash it and Flaunt it!! i don't go to those type of bars ...mrs L doesn't let me!! :o ::)
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Haha BL!!! Why ever not?! Maybe flash it and flaunt it wasn't the best way I could have described it! Haha! ;D
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My friends in Kaş highly recommend Tia Boat. I was so relieved to discover there was more than one boat in the Kaş area!
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Wouldn't it be good if Tia had a sister boat called Maria? :P
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.......I'll get your coat...... :-*
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My friends in Kaş highly recommend Tia Boat. I was so relieved to discover there was more than one boat in the Kaş area!
In fact there are many good boats in Kas, just like Kalkan. My preferences are the Tayli and the Batin 2.