Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Holiday Reports and Reviews => Topic started by: suzyq1 on August 15, 2013, 06:52:33 AM
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Did the plane crash, am I in heaven?
Well after months of planning and anticipation I'm finally here and like many before all I can say is wow, wow and wow!
At one point I was in a real panic that we weren't even going to get to Gatwick let alone Kalkan! Despite booking boat trips in Kalan months ahead and trying to gleen every bit of info I could i stupidly forgot to book the ferry to get us off the IOW! What was I thinking, travelling on a Friday in the middle of school holidays? Managed to get a later one than i would have liked, so set off with fingers crossed that we would be ok ? All started well with only a 5 min delay, just started to relax when I realised we were no longer moving and then my heart sank when I heard the captains voice come over on the speaker. Apparently we couldn't get into Lymington as there was a ferry there that could set sail as there was some sort of problem with the hydrolics and they couldn't get the doors shut. So there we were stuck in the middle of the Solent, great start :o frantic phone calls were made to the rest of our party who were already on the mainland sat in the taxi. The problem was finally sorted and then it was a mad drive through the new forest to meet up with the taxi! How we didn't end up with a donkey on our bonnet ill never know!
With traffic delays on the motor way our taxi driver did her best to find alternative routes. At one point I remember thinking that if I don't make it to Kalkan at least I've seen some places in England that I hadn't even heard of before!
Once at Gatwick everything went perfectly. Can't fault Thomas cook at all, even the food was great!
Arrived very early hours on the Saturday and was met by Enes taxi. Lovely air condition taxi and a very quick journey to Kalkan. As we couldn't get in to our villa till later that day we booked into the Sevgi hotel for a few hours kip! Very impressed that at 4am someone was waiting for us. How he lugged out cases up those stairs two at a time ill never know.
Lovely people that run the hotel. So friendly and helpful.
With only a few hours sleep I couldn't wait to pull back the curtains and that's when my holiday officially started.... There was that view I'd been hearing about for so long, yes you were all right,it is stunning and one that you would never tire off.
With my little drawn out map we set off to get our bearings. I must admit that with all the help I'd received on here and from KTLN it was a doddle. We didn't get far before we had to find a watering hole :) that heat takes it out of you!
Moving swiftly on, we moved into the villa about 1ish and wow what a villa. We are so pleased. The pool is huge and the there are simply amazing views from every room. It is about a 10 min flat walk parallel with the D400 to the first round about. Wil be better once its concreted as a bit uneven and very dusty.
It was quite late when we got out sat night so just wanted a kebab so headed for Hunkars. Had to wait for a table so went to Kayras(can't remember spelling) and then the guys came and got us. Have to say that the drinks bill seemed very reasonable. As it was late there wasn't a lot of choice so we left it up to them to recommend and boy was it lovely, far too much though.
Sunday was a real chill out day round the pool and sampling some of the duty free, now what to choose? Gin, rum, vodka, southern comfort or wine? Decisions decisions :) we even have a outside bar area with a fridge so don't need to walk far from the pool. How great is that? Sorry to make al of you back home jealous but you did ask for reports!
Anyway will sign off for now, but wanted to say Hi and to let you know that so far I am loving Kalkan!
To all newbies awaiting your first trip ....have no fear it is as lovely as you read on here :)
Suzyq1
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Hi Suzy,
Glad you think Kalkan is great. Sorry you had a bit of a fright getting to Gatwick but it all ended well. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Barb
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Hi Suzy.
I can feel your panic! It's that feeling of helplessness. Glad you managed to make all your connections. Enjoy your holiday. L
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hey suzyq1,
you're there...at last! Sounds like you are staying Komurluk - my favourite place in the whole of Kalkan - your views from there are epic....sunsets are magical. Lucky you :)
Sadly, the service road still hasn't been concreted over yet - after 2 seasons >:( but is fine to walk in sturdier footwear, not so in flimsy, blingy sandals. Coming back at night will be a little hairy..! :o
We've decided not to go back to Komurluk to stay until this road has been surfaced....hopefully next season..?
Looking forward to hearing more about your stay when you have the time....seems the regulars have all gone quiet :P
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Lovin your report, suzyq1. I could imagine the fright of a donkey on your bonnet - that would be so terrible, but so funnily written.
Hope to hear more - but above all, enjoy yourselves, making the most of your own bar and the incredible view from there (maybe get a Chef at Home for one night to max out that lovely place you are staying in...?!)
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Glad you arrived safe and sound, there is nothing worse than a stressful journey, but now you have the wonders of Kalkan to help you recover! I like this Chef @ Home idea - might give it a whirl in September, looking forward to all your reports, which keep me going, even when I am supposed to be working! :)
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Great report Suzy... keep them coming!
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Fab report Suzy and lovely to meet you and your family the other night. Have a super holiday and may bump into you soon! :)
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Dito - Fab report Suzy
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Glad to hear Kalkan is living up to expectations.....there's another one with the bug then! :laugh:
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Can't believe a week has passed already. One gorgeous day after another :) I think the sun must be frying my brain as I'm struggling to remember what we have done each day let alone string a sentence together to write this report!
How fabulous to be writing this whilst sitting on our outside sofa by the pool over looking the sea with mouse island in the distance. Yes, K4E we are in the Komurluk area. We have been managing the walk but will be a lot better once its been concreted. They have dug some of it up on the edge and we have been told that it is for irrigation so they can put plants in. Should be lovely when all finished. We have walked backed at night as there is enough light from the D400 but more often than not we jump into a taxi for 12tl. when we have walked we usually get escorted by one of the friendly dogs. none of our party have dogs so i didnt know how we would feel but if anyone needs having their minds put at ease regarding the dogs, all I can say is that they are no problem at .all. The one that walks with us just walks by our side but never actually approaches us. I think they just like a bit of company. Most of the time they are just sleeping as like us it's too hot to do much else! Strangely enough I'm beginning to feel quite attached to the couple we keep seeing.
Well what have we been up to? Have visited palm beach club, but didn't go till late so didn't manage to get the best position but to be honest in this heat we seem to spend more time in the water than sat out. My favourite sun bathing place is laying out on one of the floating rafts. You get a lovely sea breeze and with your eyes closed you can imagine you are on your own boat.....well we can all dream :)
Talking of boats we had an amazing relaxing day out on Yildiz 3. We paid to have the boat to ourselves and it was fantastic as it meant we could wander round the boat and sit on different beds depending on whether you wanted shade or sun. I felt a bit like goldilocks trying them all out! We'd also taken our own music so was just perfect. As has been said before the food was superb.
The temperature seems to be raising and boy was it hot on Thursday on market day. I would have been happy to give it a miss but my daughter was really keen so off we went. In hindsight we should have got a taxi as it was further than I thought.i don't think we have ever sweated so much. The men lasted all of 5 minutes in the market and then went off to have a beer or two. I on the other hand was forced to make it to the end, stopping at virtually every stall especially the jewellery ones where my daughter would ponder for ages over which bracelet she wanted. Any one that has been before will know that they are all pretty much the same so we could have achieved the end result by buying at the first stall and saved ourselves
Losing about a stone in sweat.....not a pleasant picture I know but I suppose there has to be a downside to this fabulous weather :laugh:
Had a lovely evening on Tues at the Midtown Cafe. It was great to meet up with some of the EK members. Special thanks to MartynE for the music and to Lizilu20 for organising it.
Out of all the restaurants in Kalkan in was a lovely surprise to sit down at our booked table in Moussaka on Thursday to see Lizilu20 and her family next to us. Promise we are not stalking you Lizzie! Infact hearing about your spider I think I will be trying to avoid you....only joking!!
Have had a couple of BBQs. The Bulent butcher has been great and we have made up some lovely pasta salads using the freshest and tastiest herbs I've ever had. So reasonable, think I worked it out at about £4.50 ahead!
I think the only thing we have had to worry about is when we had a power cut the other day which meant the beer and wine was getting warm!
OH about to cook us a special omelette on the small gas stove in the outside bar area so better drag myself up and help.
Bye for now
Suzyq1 reporting live from her own little bit of heaven :) :)
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Lovely report Suzy. It was fab bumping into you at mussaka. Lucky you being able to sit outside to write your reports. Our wifi is really iffy and you have to be literally sat on top of the router, hence I'm now inside while the rest of the family are cavorting in the pool :(
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When the time comes, I hope Heaven is as nice as Kalkan! ;D
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Do tell us more about the Special Omlette!! Keep reporting.......we're lovin' it!
Thanks ;D
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Great report suzyq1, really enjoying hearing about your time in Kalkan. It made me laugh when you mentioned walking to the market from Komurluk......a trek we have undertaken on numerous occasions but in the intense August heat....? You're kidding me :P I think I would have resembled someone who had had a bucket of water dropped on them from height ;D
Can't wait to hear the next installment.
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Hello again,
So sorry that I have neglected you all, but during our second week I was in my own little "Kalkan bubble." it was so lovely to just be able to switch off from the rest of the world and to forget about everything else.
We are back home now :( but what a wonderful holiday we have had. I can't remember the order in which we did things but will try to recount a few things for you.
Firsty, Antler the 'special omelette' was really a normal omelette as far as the ingredients went - mushrooms, peppers sundried tomatoes, cheese.... basically any thing that we had in the fridge, but what made it special was that my oh made it and that it was cooked outside overlooking Kalkan Bay. I just wish I was a bit more technically minded and I would be able to post a picture and you would see what I mean.
Had a great day at Patara Beach. Really easy to get there on small bus that went from near the taxi rank. They advise you to book the day before, but we just turned up and managed to all get on. It was a bargain at 12TL each and that included your entrance fee. I'm sure I saw that this alone was 5TL so really the transport was only 7TL!
In an ideal world we would have been there earlier to get front line beds, but by the time we all surfaced in the mornings,(especially with 2 teenagers), have a swim and a leisurely breakfast we never got any where before 11.30! The downside of this meant we were demoted to the third row back! Now to anyone who has not been to Patara beach you may be thinking this sounds ok, but believe me when I say i think it would be less painful walking on hot coals than trying to walk on that sand! It was unbelievable. One time I was struggling to get my flip flops on so thought blow it I'll just run.... big mistake! I had to keep running into the sea to cool off my third degree burns :laugh: So unless you are Usain Bolt don't attempt walking on it!
Another tip for the 'lady newbies' going to Patara - make sure that you either where a one piece swim suit or ensure that you where a pair of bikini bottoms that are about 3 sizes too small so that there is no way they can come off! I was really quite rough the day we were there and I believe it often is, so I learnt the hard way! I was great fun in the waves, but every so often and especially when you are trying to get out you get hit by a wave and are powerless to to do anything about it! Its a toss up whether you try to use your hands to keep your self above water, save your bottoms or save your top! lets just say that I didn't manage to save my dignity, but it was great fun anyway :)
Another mistake we made at Patara was to take our newly purchased Turkish beach towels. They are great for taking to the beach clubs as they are so light to carry and dry really quickly, however, what the beach clubs have and Patara doesn't is nice soft cushioned beds :( You try laying for long on one of those plastic beds... hard as nails and you get up with slat marks imprinted on your body! As to be expected the cafe was really busy, but I have to say the burgers we had were very good.
The bus left on time and actually dropped us back to our villa which I had requested. Not sure if they always do that, but worth asking. After being out for the day it always felt nice to come home to our villa. Love it when it starts to cool off a bit and you can just sit round the pool with a few drinks and and admire that view :)
As I mentioned before we had a lovely day out on Yildiz 3.We had also booked an evening trip on Yildiz 2 with Osman. Another great trip with fantasic food. Their two daughters are a delight. I felt a bit guilty as it turned out to be their eldest's birthday. They had obviously been out all day and then straight back out with us. I wonder how many English 17 year olds would have done this so readily and with a smile on their face? A real credit to her family.
Any way I will continue my report later on, but right now my washing machine beckons! Talk about back to reality..... want to go back!
Suzyq 1
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Sounds like you had a great time.. Still at least you still have the sandy beaches at home!!!
We are over there again on Wednesday....cat sitting!!!!
BarbH
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Well done, Suzyq 1! Glad you had a great time. That omlette sounds pretty special to me.....
I was quite impressed at the Beach Bar at Patara and thought the food was more than OK for that type of cafè with a captive audience. Think it was a tuna salad i had, as I was worried about getting into my shorts.
The waves can be strong there, as you discovered - frightened Mrs A to death!
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Suzyq1.......you were warned about the waves at Patara.....that's where I had my rolling in the waves/bikini bottom/young boy related incident!! ;D ;D ;D
Glad you had a brilliant holiday......I expect you now have "the bug"?!
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Hey suzyq1, so glad you had a fabulous time. I loved reading your reports and I'm going to miss reading about your holiday now you're home :(
Thanks for taking time to post and let us know what your thoughts were - always good to hear a first timers point of view as you are looking at Kalkan with fresh eyes.
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Thanks everyone,
Well the washing is done, now for the ironing :( As we all do I keep thinking back to this time last week and reminiscing about what we were up to. Last Tuesday was our trip out with Cpt Ergun and his lovely wife, Merve and their assistant Alp. I will do a full report on trip advisor later on, but all I can say is Wow, what a fantastic day.He picked up up from our villa and took us to Kas where we boarded his boat. We did the Kekova trip and as you have probably read on Lizilu20's post we couldn't believe it when we heard shouting from another boat and then my OH said "Im sure that's Lizzie and your forum friends. It was so funny how we kept seeing each other. Its one thing bumping into them in Kalkan but on a boat in the middle of the sea on route to Kekova was such a coincident! I can not speak highly enough of our hosts and our trip. It was such a wonderful day. My father in law was in his element spending most of his day fishing from the back of the boat. Ergun even cooked some of the fish so we could have it with our lunch. We stopped at some lovely bays. Both Ergun and Merve speak excellent English so were able to tell us all about the area and to point out things that we would probably have missed. During the day we had a wonderful lunch, fruit platter, pop corn, a surprise birthday cake and then when we thought it was time to get off they produced a bottle of bubbly to drink back at the harbour. We had taken our own iPod and Ergun was more than happy for us to choose our music. My holiday songs this year are Daft Punk and Blurred lines. To sit on deck, with the wind in your hair listening to your favourite songs drinking far too much rose out of beautiful glasses.... well just perfect :) It was so perfect that we booked another trip on the Thusday! Extravagant I know, but bear in mind that we haven't had a summer holiday for 3 years and you never know what's around the corner. This time we did the island tour which meant more time doing fun things. Ergun picked us up a bit earlier and offered us breakfast on board. It was so tasty. My favourite things were going in his small speed boat to see the bats and the snorkelling. I will never forget that. It was the first time I had done it properly with flippers. Ergun guided us and made sure we were ok at all times. He also took loads of underwater pictures. On the trip back to our villa he stopped off and bought a memory stick. Back at the villa with his laptop he put them all on to the stick. They are amazing and a lasting memory to an absolutely fantastic day. Cant speak highly enough of our 2 days spent with them all.
Well I've probably gone on far too long, so will continue with my report tomorrow, but in answer to your question K4E I loved Kalkan. It was very much as I had pictured. Obviously I don't know what it was like before, but in my eyes there is no way that I would say that it was heading for a fall. All the holiday makers we met were friendly and genuinely nice and I think that Kalkan has a lovely feel to it. I like somewhere with a bit of life and I think Kalkan has a good balance. I loved the roof top restaurants, but I also went with my 19 year old son to Mojitos a couple of times! My OH and myself were the oldest there, but that didn't stop us having a dance. I have to say that all the youngsters there were simply having a good time and I never saw any trouble. I can tell you that there is no way that I would feel comfortable doing that in my local town. I loved that you could go to different beach clubs, go on boat trips or just sit at the harbour and watch the world go by. Loved Feners and their ice creams! 3TL what a bargain. Favourite flavour was caramel or maybe chocolate, or was it coffee? Think we tried them all .....all in the name of research of course! :) Well I think you have got the picture.... loved it and would definitely go back....best get saving!
Suzyq1
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Daft Punk, Robin Thicke and Fener ice cream......we were definitely separated at birth, suzyq ;D How can anyone resist those freshly made waffle cones, still warm, 2 scoops of your choice of ice cream, melted chocolate and chopped nuts all for the equivalent of £1. I can always find any number of reasons to be down near the Fener ice cream hut. Next year you should try Cafe Leon's carrot cake and White Table's cheesecake....if you haven't already :)
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Oh yeh !! Daft Punk certainly seemed to be the record playing this year.....When I went to Fener for my ice cream he said "Would you like crushed nuts" ..I said "No just an ice cream please" ;D >:D
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What with reading Antler's great reports it has spurred me into action to finish my holiday report. Well with 4 boat trips, beach clubs and Patara beach the rest of our stay was spent based at our villa. It was such a lovely villa with a huge pool that it was just wonderful to be able to really chill out, read and drift off when it all got to much! Even better knowing that cold drinks are on hand a few steps away.
On a couple of these days myself and my OH would wonder off to explore the surrounding area. On one of the trips we turned right on the service road so that we were heading towards Patara prince resort. We were able to walk all the way to Kalkan Beach Club. We really didn't rush as it's impossible in that heat, but it took us a bout half an hour. It was great to be able to see all the other villas and get an idea about Kisla area. For information for anyone staying in Komurluk area there is a small supermarket just up a small hill past the entrance to Patara Prince resort. If we ran out of milk we found it quicker to go there than into town.
By the time we got to Kalkan Beach club it was time for a well earned drink. It was about 10.30 so people were arriving for the day. We then took one of the lower roads back and stopped in at the Mahal beach club to look around. They were more than happy for us to just sit and have a drink. Bit cheeky I know but we then jumped onto the beach club boat which took us back to the harbour where we sat in Feners and sampled another great ice-cream all washed down with an Efes :) By the time we walked back up to the taxi rank we needed another drink before heading back to the villa for a cool dip in the pool.
On another trip we walked down to the harbour along the coast path. Not sure if I have mentioned this path, but basically alot of steps down towards Palm Beach Club and then a rough path. Ok with decent foot wear. Had the obligatory stop for a fener's ice cream and then carried on round the harbour and just kept going. We eventually came to Carretta Beach Club. You dont seem to hear much about this one, but it did look very nice. It's either 10TL for sun beds and boat or free if you have lunch. We sat and had a drink before once again taking advantage of the boat that was going back to the harbour! It was actually nice to look out and see Kalkan from a different view point. In fact we were right opposite Komurluk and could just make out our villa. Because we had been out quite a while it was nearly lunch time so we took 2 cooked chickens back. Have to say they were really tasty!
Another time we went to have a look round Patara Prince Beach club. All I will say is that make sure you go by boat and not on foot! Ok going down but going back up was a whole new ball game. When it comes to walking I would consider myself quite fit, but that was tough in the heat. We didn't have a drink as they were charging 12TL (maybe there was a cheaper bar but we didn't find it) but believe me by the time we got to the top I would have paid double that for a cold drink. My warm water just wasn't doing it!
All in all my days spent doing nothing so to speak were some of my favourites. Where else could you walk, jump on a boat, sit having a drink looking out at the most fabulous views and all within easy reach of our wonderful villa :)
Well that just about finishes my holiday reports. Sorry if I waffled, but I did warn you. ;)
I need some tutorials from Antler then next time I could bring it to life with pictures and videos!
Well in 2 hours time I'm off for a mad weekend at Bestival (music festival) here on the IOW. Can't believe the weather is going to change. Its glorious at the moment, but rain is on its way, so I have my wellies at the ready. Its such a shame as waterproofs are not going to enhance my fancy dress costumes! Oh well guess I'll be wet on the outside as well as the inside! :laugh:
Kalkan....would I go again? .......Most definitely.
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Lovel reports suzyq1. It was so nice to meet you and your family, especially on the high seas! What a coincidence that was. Hope you make it to Kalkan again and glad you had a fab holiday. Enjoy bestival and don't get too soaked. :)
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Blimey smashing reports SuzyQ, no way will I be able to match those when we go in October. You've certainly filled your days.one question, why go Yarmouth to Lymington? Wouldn't Fishbourne to Portsmouth be easier for Gatwick? Didn't know you were just over the water from us.
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Oh suzyq1, just loved this final holiday report. I was walking with you on your jaunts there... All routes we've undertaken with great gusto over the years :) it's the best way to discover Kalkan.
So pleased it lived up to your expectations and you would return. Thanks for taking time to post :)
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Hi Suzyq1,
Thanks so much for your review because it provides other members of the EK community to enjoy experiences such as you. We thoroughly enjoyed providing your tour and know that you and yours have become ambassadors of Kalkan and Kas your experiences back home. Send them to Kas and Kalkan and spread the word! :)
Thank you again and I wish you safe and pleasant journeys for years to come.
All the best
Cpt.Ergun& Merve