Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Holiday Reports and Reviews => Topic started by: seasick on May 01, 2014, 03:10:47 AM
-
been here since Monday at 2.30pm
1st time back sine 2012 to the day!
got here to rain at dalaman but clear in kalkan
staying at the meditrainee apartments again,,,number n3 this time.
a few thngs I have noticed
exchange rate 3.55 on arrival but dropped to 3,5 now ever since
lots of places not open still (of course lots are though) some not include fez, kaptan, korsan, yakamooz on harbour (some with no sign either!
had wonderful evening meal at mussaka on Monday as good as always with great service and in our top 5 still
Tuesday at trio, now this was our fav last time, but sadly not as good as before and the most expensive so far.
Sade tonight (make sure you book as very small, was the old mussaka a few years back I think?) as you probably know tables very close together, very tight space in general, sat at 7.55 ordered fairly swiftly but waited until 8.55 for starter (garlic mushrooms, with no garlic taste for me, and fish cakes for wife) waited another 30 mins for main after finish of starter, sea bass with garlic prawns for wife and filet steak for me, both good, but mussaka much better but I have been up most of the night since, of course this could be a coincidence and nothing to do with the meal there, overall a slight let down considering this is no 1 on trip advisor....
went to the likya hotel and spa on Tuesday to take a look around (as work in the travel industry) loved it here by the way and there are some fab late deals on it from £575 for a week in may (see Anatolian sky)
fantastic views and pool area, nice pool bar where we spent a couple of hours
one thing that has surpised me somewhat, its very cold at night (Wasn't this same time 2 years ago and according to others this time last year either (some people are sitting in coats) , I had a shirt with sweater over the top and was still chilly last night, we actually came home early as we were both cold (1st time I have brought a sweater with me and so glad I did....a fair bit of ran today too...
old town work is still going on but nothing major, lots of building elsewhere, villas, apartments etc around the village.
real mix of people here too not noticed before, dutch, danish, german etc some of the bars doing Danish beer too now! but this makes it rather nice...
prices seem higher marginally I guess because exchange rate is so much better, don't see an effes anwhere really for under 10 lira before tip, cocktails over 20 lira, some as high as 25..but still excellent value considering we are surrounded by the place we all love...1 drink each and 2 courses for dinner still around the £40 to £50 mark as an average.
not sure where to eat Thursday night but will let you know!
paul/susan
-
ps moonlight bar not open either.....
-
Great first report of the season that I have seen so far - keep them coming seasick as we have 5 weeks to go and these kind of reports keep me going til then - Mussakka is one of our favourites too so pleased it still as good as ever - Gourmet is also a favourite of ours. Enjoy the rest of your time.
-
thanks for posting, seasick. As chrissy1 says, keeps us all going until our on trips - just over 5 weeks for us too :)
Good to know Mussakka is still up there - just shaded it as our favourite last year. Mehmet has done a great job here - doesn't seem 5 minutes ago that he started his new place in the village (you're right seasick, sade took over from Mussakka Brasserie two years ago..) and they took a polaroid photo of your table and put it in the box with your bill :)
He was absolutely right to focus on the harbour restaurant, it is consistently good and the service is spot on.
Love the Likya Pool and bar area - the views are fabulous from here :)
Please keep us updated with your trip - and its good to get a view from somebody in the travel industry as you will look at a place with different eyes to a holidaymaker.
-
super weather here yesterday, unbroken sun, but still very cold at night even at 7.30pm
jumper again, thank god I have a washing machine!! as only brought one jumper!! lol
exchange rate still 3.5 here.
no sign of any movement at moonlight yet (Assume as they cant really have seats outside anymore?)
utopia next door open though
very loud dance music from an apartment behind us today! very frustrating! hope not again today
nearly all restaurants open last night being may 1st
we ate at baharat, again as good as always, had amazing lamb shank on bed of mash, wife had seafood casserole which she loved too, service superb, extra portion warm bread offered at starter and almond liquer after dinner (nice touches)
only 3 tables in at 8pm...bottle of water, one beer, 2 courses each 125 lira.....superb...
10 am here this morning an unbroken skies again, but sun not on balcony and air chilly still until then, so sitting just inside with coffee planning next holiday (most of it booked to new England for the fall, after Montana and Wyoming last year at the same time)
one thing to note, we love dogs as we are dog owners and we also contribute to the dog charity here, but my god there are so many more this year, some younger dogs and puppies too, it breaks our heart as we want to take them all home with us...one followed us all the way home and was so nervous last night bless him....
only have one thing to do today, finish my book and decide where to eat, heaven
cheers
paul/susan
-
Don't use up all the sunshine, save some for us for the next two weeks. Will be seeing that view this time tomorrow (baring any hold ups on the flight that is).
Already have two cardys, two fleeces and two jumpers earmarked for packing. Best get on and do that. Leaving for the airport at lunchtime.
Happy holidays.
Jo
-
Early May is chilly of an evening - I do remember BH borrowing pashminas on roof top restaurants and then buying two jumpers from V&B :)
seasick, do Utopia have seats outside? They appear to be in the same predicament as Moonlight as far as the bollards and pavement is concerned. Amazed they haven't opened yet though...even without the seats outside they have a covered terrace ???
-
Utopia had a few seats in the new road last night so pretty sure Moonlight will be doing the same.
-
Great reports Seasick, keep them coming please.
I'm surprised at how chilly it is now as the weather was beautiful in early April. Definitely only needed a light cardigan at night. I took (apart from holiday clothes) boots, jacket, 2 cardigans and 2 long sleeved tops. Only needed the cardi's though at night. The weather can be unpredictable early season, but were so lucky to have it so warm while we were there.
-
just after 10 am again today , not a cloud in the sky, wife happy as made her coffee and toast! and she is on the balcony taking in sea views with candy crush!!!!
went to agora restaurant last night at 7.45, another fab meal (menu really well thought out) I had aubergine filled with tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, peppers and pistachio nuts!! for starter excellent, wife had fish cakes (again)
main I had grilled sea bream, on bed of mustard mash with creamed spinach, just superb, wife had seafood pasta also excellent
another in my top 5 restaurants, superb service and food and restaurant well done
bottle of water, 2 soft drinks, 2 starters, 2 mains, 1 desert, 123 lira before tip, amazing value....
we are off for a walk armed with tins of dog food, paper plates, and water as a mum with her 4 puppies has been dumped on the road towards yali beach club (just below lykia residence hotel) 3 puppies have been homed but mum and one more remain, we saw them both yesterday on a walk....
I hate humans for doing this to these poor dogs, but it seems the whole of turkey dumps there dogs her at night as they know everyone else is doing it!!!
I feel breakfast coming on and some football later seeing as its Saturday, but might avoid yali bar which is one of my fav bars as his beer is 10 lira this year, lots of others including mussaka on harbour at only 6 lira which is a fair difference, but you never know could be at yali's anyway later....LOL
cheers
paul
-
we are off for a walk armed with tins of dog food, paper plates, and water as a mum with her 4 puppies has been dumped on the road towards yali beach club (just below lykia residence hotel) 3 puppies have been homed but mum and one more remain, we saw them both yesterday on a walk....
I hate humans for doing this to these poor dogs, but it seems the whole of turkey dumps there dogs her at night as they know everyone else is doing it!!!
..... and it is a well known fact that the reason why everyone dumps their dogs in Kalkan is because they know KAPSA and all the other animal loving tourists will feed them. Meanwhile the packs of street dogs grow as well as the night time barking. And by the way before you jump diwn my throat I love animals but I also like to feel safe whilst out walking and also to have a bit if peace and quiet at night without the use of ear plugs!!
-
Hi paul thank you keep them coming ! Is white table closed this year also is fountain bar open thank you enjoy your time in best place in the world !
-
Whıte table closed and the Fountaın bar has moved to the garden area on the road that Isos Restaurant ıs on (not open yet) Isos reopened thıs week too.
Gourmet should be openıng tonıght.
The town looks great after a massıve clean up.Some parts not fully completed but nothıng that wıll spoıl a holıday or stop you walkıng anywhere.Plenty of shoppıng opportuntıes too - 2 new bag shops have opened!
Not all of the restaurants are open yet but even Merkez was open thıs mornıng - hooray! Kalkan ıs returnıng to normal!!
-
thanks for another update, seasick...keeps us all going back here in the UK. We are expecting to pay 10tl for a large Efes in the bars - is the 6tl at the harbour for a large Efes? Might need to re-think our habitual drinking venues if so ;D ;D
Watching sport in Kalkan :o :o God forbid!
Try to keep us updated about your stay if you can :)
-
Nice to get your reports seasick, but armed with dog food. Do you not think this is part of
the reason people dump their dogs in Kalkan knowing that the Brits will feed the dogs.
I know this will upset the dog lovers but there are a lot of people who would like to wander round Kalkan
Without packs of dogs following them or hovering around your table whilst eating.
This was not sent in anger more with concern.
-
Thanks for taking time to post seasick. Giving us a real taster for our visit!! It can't come soon enough ;) Keep them coming!
-
I am torn on the whole thing, I love dogs and hate to see them suffer especially puppies.
and yes the barking wakes me up a fair bit, but I'm in a warm bed with food and surrounded by love, these poor things are not,
everyone needs a helping hand especially the puppies until they can take care of themselves, the dogs didn't create the problem and us holiday makers sure didn't !
until the town and council start to care its only going to get worse rather than better and some food for a puppy and her mum but more so some water wont harm anyone or change anything, but it makes us feel better...along with donating the animal charity here.. without them re homing and nutering them it would get way worse..
for those that don't like the dogs or don't feel safe!, there are plenty of other places to go nobody forces anyone to come here , its not the dogs faults its the owners who need finding and putting away
spare a thought while you eat you fabulous dinner, have drinks and go home to bed after for those less fortunate, including dogs.
-
I've been coming here before the dog problem, recognising there is a problem seems to be the REAL problem, with authorities and a section of the people who come to Kalkan.
Kindness is not always the answer to this problem.
-
I've been coming here before the dog problem, recognising there is a problem seems to be the REAL problem, with authorities and a section of the people who come to Kalkan.
Kindness is not always the answer to this problem.
Don you're a brave person suggesting there is a problem with dogs. Expect the missiles to fly your way on even suggesting it. The street dogs have made Kalkan what it is and that is why the town is booming. Absolutely nothing to do with the tourist dollar. How dare you suggest otherwise!
-
Hi Happy Days. I said a section of the people going to Kalkan.
What has that to do with tourist dollar.?
-
I wouldn't blame seasick if they thought what's the point of posting reports if they get criticism and snide remarks . I was enjoying the reports >:D
-
Last on this subject, the forum is for all points of view,so I thought.
-
Why not start your own thread and those that wish to participate can and those that choose not to can ignore it...meanwhile enjoying seasicks reports
-
Thanks Paul for such great posts - such good reads, all of them, keep them coming please!
-
Totally agree with BL. Let seasick post his holiday reports without members bickering about the street animals. Start a new thread if you want to debate the rights and wrongs of feeding defenceless animals that have been dumped. don is right about everyone being able to air their views, but when I catch up with holiday reports, I want to catch up with reports not a heated discussion about an ongoing problem.
-
Looking forward to your next report seasick and thanks for taking the time to post. The subject of the dogs is very emotive and we all have our own views on the rights and wrongs of feeding/kapsa etc and I agree with BL and K4E. Let's keep the debate separate from the holiday reports. That's nothing to do with rose tinted specs by the way. I just dont want to see a holiday report engulfed by a heated doggy debate. If seasick chooses to feed the dogs, then that's his prerogative whether I agree with it or not.
-
I agree....different debates!
-
Please do not go off topic and start talking about dogs. Such posts shall be removed as they hold no relevance to this holiday report.
-
Please do not go off topic and start talking about dogs. Such posts shall be removed as they hold no relevance to this holiday report.
Why has Kalkanviews post been removed?
Seasick posted a comment on their post which read
"I hate humans for doing this to these poor dogs, but it seems the whole of turkey dumps there dogs her at night as they know everyone else is doing it!!!"
A number of people, including myself, responded to this by providing their views on why this happens. Seasick then responded telling us to go elsewhere to live.
Then a number of self appointed moderators jumped in.
Now EK police remove a post from Kalkanview.
Is this an open forum or not?
-
There is now a separate thread about dogs from Kalkanview.
Holiday makers who have saved up long and hard to "Enjoy Kalkan" don't want to read a forum all about roadworks and dogs :)
Those wanting to discuss such subjective topics can do so on ONE THREAD as opposed bringing it up all over the place.
-
I agree EK administrator, I was off topic I apologise.
I would like to add relevant to this thread that Kalkan remains an absolute paradise, the Town is looking much better after the clear up (although in my view it could be better) and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
-
well what a night only had about 4 hours sleep, so windy, furniture blown about during the night, cushions everywhere....
no rain but overcast and still windy, but oh so humid with it....
no dog chat from me from now on, except I want to take the beagle home (this is someone's pet at one of the bar's, simply adorable she is)
so last night, we went to ilyada on the harbour where rami from rami's has turned up this year (assume his name is rami?? lol)
another superb meal, me garlic mushrooms, can you tell I like them, no starter for wife, me sizzling chicken, wife ottoman hotpot in clay pot delivered by the chef...
2 soft drinks, bottle of water, 1 starter 2 mains 2 coffees 93 lira.........yes 93 lira, amazing as it also included the custom after dinner drink for free and 2 rounds of garlic bread with cold meze on table at start....rami you star!!
we will return that's a promise.
so yali's bar is still 10 lira per beer, harbour average 8.50 with mussaka 6.00 lira.....all for large beers.....
yali said he didn't have a good year last year, he may not have one this year if he doesn't have a re-think....maybe he needs to pay for the new bar he had installed over the winter....I still go though as like it there....yacht bar is grabbing us this year before dinner though too. ...
looks like a book reading day as the weather is mis behaving....and final planning for our adventure to new England in the fall...
where shall I eat tonight as only 3 more "EATS" left any suggestions?
paul
-
Seasick you have made my day by finding the lovely Rami! We were so sad his place closed and I was sure he'd turn up somewhere being a local lad. Happy days! Certainly was - and still is - very windy but as you say, so warm. Looking forward to mooching into town tonight - Yali for a drink and interested to see what Çimırık has been up to over the winter. Then Gourmet for dinner for a typically amazing meal and to meet Şakir's wife Reyhan. They got married at the end of March :D
-
Three more eats.....? Definitely follow Rachey's lead and try Gourmet if you haven't already. One of our favourites over the past three seasons (is this their 4th season....?)
Is Escudo or Sofra open...both good over the past years. Hunkar if you are after something cheaper but good quality. Wherever you go enjoy and please let us know how you get on. Hey Rachey, good to know you have arrived safe and sound in "our" little piece of paradise :)
-
both escudo and sofra open...may try gourmet....thanks 4eva
-
Love reading these reports, keep us updated!
Re: Moonlight which you mentioned earlier, rumour has it it's opening Monday so you will have to keep us posted!
Enjoy :)
-
Thank goodness we have got back to lovely holiday reports and what's more intersting rather than another debate about the dogs (boring now) 6 lira for a large efes at Mussakka that's so much more important lol - another of our favourite haunts so happy days - keep the reports coming seasick and yes you must try Gourmet it's special.
-
horrible day yesterday, plenty of rain, very windy, so not a great deal to report, moonlight not open yet, fenner only has normal tables/chairs and not my fav ottoman seats over the sea? will they return by Wednesday before I go?
back to mussaka as undercover away from wind etc, and sorry to say nowhere near as good as last week, I had lamb chops which were tough and not tasty!
I'm sure a one off...
very overcast again today no blue sky for as far as I can see
hmm please give me one good day tomorrow before we go home!
paul
-
Shame about the weather, seasick...the forecast looks good for today. Shame also about your meal in Mussakka, hopefully a one-off as you say. We hear Moonlight is opening today, so keep us posted if you see the rickety chairs and tables outside :)
-
will do eva, very overcast again today, lots of spits of rain.....
it better get better tomorrow for last full day!
-
scrub that, heavy rain now!!!!
not happy, no sun since Saturday now! 2.30 pm here Monday!
-
Adam said to us last height that if it rains overnight today would be a nice day, next time I see him I'll suggest he gives up weather forecasting. :(
-
well its 7am here and not a cloud for our last full day, hope it stays like that!
moonlight opened last night, yali,s packed at 10pm so couldn't get a chair there!!
as was trio so went to ilyada again next door as rami only had 2 tables in!!!
it was then I heard his story, he said "last year I have restaurant with my name on it, this year sadly I not, maybe again next year" he then went on to say about crippling rents, summer period, 12,000 lira a month!!!!!!!!
was more than happy to support him again and his great service and food, and such such good value that we left a 30% tip
please everyone go see him this year, not sure I wil lgo to trio again as one waiter kicked one of the dogs last night, no need for that!
-
Morning Paul, I'm up too and it is looking good, off to Fethiye market today it will make a change driving without the wipers on. Have a good day, we are going to try Kalamaki tonight as we've never been there & a lady in Sade recommended it last night.
-
excellent pompey, 5 times we have been here and never been to fethiye or olu deniz!!! that's bad isn't it....is it market day there?
I did try kalamaki but that was 3 years ago now, cant remember to be honest what it was like.
enjoy your day
-
Hope you had a great hol seasick despite the weather. I don't think we will be going back to Trio now either after that behaviour, so thanks for the tip off.
-
did I miss something about Trio...?
-
Was it regarding a waiter kicking a street dog? I seem to remember reading something along those lines but not sure if that was this thread or whether I've even dreamed it ???
-
No you read it right about the Trio Lizilu, seemed to have disappeared.,
-
Trio are off my list now
Isis
-
I emailed them and told them why we wouldnt be coming this year - no response!
-
Message posted on behalf of Murat, Trio Restaurant:
I'm disappointed to read these comments about one of our waiters and the reaction on this forum, reported to me by customers today. I apologise for the lack of response to any emails but our web address is out of use at the moment. I would be grateful if you contacted me directly, either by coming into the restaurant or on my mobile 009 0 553 388 97 13, so we can identify the person concerned.
As our regular customers know, we are animal lovers who are supporters of KAPSA and take good care of our street animals.
Kind regards,
Murat
-
Thank you for your response Murat - I will send you a pm.
-
Message posted on behalf of Murat, Trio Restaurant:
I'm disappointed to read these comments about one of our waiters and the reaction on this forum, reported to me by customers today. I apologise for the lack of response to any emails but our web address is out of use at the moment. I would be grateful if you contacted me directly, either by coming into the restaurant or on my mobile 009 0 553 388 97 13, so we can identify the person concerned.
As our regular customers know, we are animal lovers who are supporters of KAPSA and take good care of our street animals.
Kind regards,
Murat
It is good to see a proactive response to this issue as no one wants to see cruelty to animals. It would be great to see a similar proactive response to customers who do not wish to share their evening meal with animals roaming the restuarants. Maybe the answer to both is simple, do not let animals in restaurants.
-
Maybe the issue about dogs roaming around restaurants has come to a head.
The waiters can pick up on customers feelings and fears about dogs at your table
A knee jerk reaction to a situation from a waiter thinking he is doing his job.
Don't take it out on him. I also agree he may have acted wrongly.
We do not live in their world, he thought he was protecting ours.
-
Agree with you Don. We very rarely eat in the harbour restaurants now due to the dogs roaming around the tables. Sadly they are encouraged by customers feeding them at the tables. I don't condone cruelty to the dogs but there is a real problem that isn't being addressed. Like you say the waiter was trying to do the right thing by the customer. A rustle of a water bottle or a loud "Oosht" is usually enough to shoo a dog away but not always.....
pw
-
I agree. Bit of an over reaction by the street animal brigade. Hope the waiter doesn't lose his job over it. Probably just getting the dog away from a table who doesn't want animals around while their eating. People are concerned about a dog getting a kick up the butt whilst gnawing on a fillet steak or lamb shank with no guarantee on how those animals were killed.
-
Have been in Trio many times and yes there is a problem with dogs wandering in, the waiters have always dealt with it by rustling the water bottle at them which usually does the trick - I have never seen any of the waiters be cruel and I agree they are only protecting the customers - quite right too, I dont want to sit and eat with a dog begging at the table, whilst eating at another restaurant we had a cat perched on the shelf leering at my piece of fish and the waiter was none to pleased when I politely asked if he would remove the cat - we were then treated with such contempt I will never eat there again. Not everyone is a dog/cat lover to the extent they wish to dine with them.