Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Holiday Reports and Reviews => Topic started by: sidari on August 17, 2016, 08:43:17 AM
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Hi all. This is our third visit here. The last time was 5 years ago. We have found the main area leading down to the harbour busy in the evenings but down at the harbour is very quiet. The people as always are charming and we feel for them as some are obviously suffering. Our village is lovely, the views amazing but we are surrounded by empty villas. It is so sad as we feel so safe here.
Now for the but. We are fully aware about the dogs as previous visitors. I can only say that it is far worse than last time. On our first night we were women see several times by barking dogs. We now use earplugs. We have at least 4 dogs who seem to be resident in this area and come into gardens and pool area. Now this a problem as some of us do not share the views of the lovely dog brigade. My son is wary of dogs,I have had one nasty experience with dogs I the past but I am ok with them. My wife is a dog lover. Now I am fully aware that most of the dogs are friendly and are accounted for. But they are intimidating. I watched a family last night being followed by 4 dogs, the kids in particular looked uncomfortable.
And before the dog loving brigade kick off and tell me not to come then, you are missing the point. I want to come to Kalkan, I sing its praises to all. Most of all I spend good money to hire a villa and spend money in the shops and restaurants. I tell friends that Kalkan is lovely and it always will be, but then I mention the dogs and see their faces change.
Not everyone is a dog lover and this is unpleasant. Kalkan needs us today more than ever. We will make the most of it and try to relax and sleep. The guest book in our villa says much the same thing from previous guests. Does that not say it all?
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I don't know which part you are staying in, but when we were there last month we actually felt there were less dogs than last year (we have an apartment in Ortalaan). I know there was a meeting earlier in the season re the street dogs, but have never heard what the outcome was. I know it is probably intimidating for people who don't like dogs, but I have honestly never seen a nasty dog in Kalkan. I don't really know what the answer is. Sorry
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I visit Kalkan twice yearly and while I have never come across a mad dog so to speak , I agree fully with "sidari" , the dogs can be very intimidating even though probably not dangerous except for attacking scooters and cars as they drive past. It has to be acknowledged there is a problem , we have visited Kalian approx. 25 times and on numerous occasions have seen families / groups of people very shaken by the experience of dog packs following them and or having to walk around pack of 2- 6 dogs. That said I am not sure what the solution is i.e. if you remove the local dogs that in the main are people friendly but admit ably can be intimidating , they will be replaced by out of towner dogs that could be more dangerous than those in the town . It is indeed a dilemma that will go on and on . I am a dog lover but if any of my family were ever attacked , especially children the dog would quickly go to doggy heaven
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It does seem that the Kiziltas area of Kalkan is particularly bad with packs of dogs doing just what the posters below have said - also the area around Cafe Vita along the Kalamar road. Other places seem to be better (such as Ortaalan) where my villa is - none of my guests have complained and I live there in the Winter and have not been troubled (fingers crossed). There is no simple answer to the dog issue and it is the subject that is most complained and talked about in Kalkan!
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Thanks for posting, sidari.
This is a difficult subject and generally one that polarizes opinion on here, but you are giving us your experience of Kalkan and you make some valid points. I agree with Felicity that there appear to be pockets where the street dogs "live" and I am aware from other people we have spoken to that the persistent barking of a night can be a real issue - fortunately it has not been my experience. We stay quite close to town and have never been troubled with dogs the way you describe. Also when we have stayed in Komurluk there wasn't an issue - although this may have changed since. Maybe think about hiring a Villa away from the known areas for your next visit - appreciate that's difficult as the packs could be transient.
We definitely felt as though the dog population had decreased this year and certainly the troublesome dogs of the past (which I believe were owned dogs..) were no so apparent.
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We have owned property in Kiziltas for five years & have yet to meet a street dog, never mind being kept awake at night - appreciate that they form packs and are transient but generally we only ever see dogs when we come into town - (as generally that is where they are fed by tourists & restaurants).
I feel sorry for people who come for a rest & end up not being able to sleep, not sure what the answer is - but generally I have found the street dogs friendly - with maybe the odd rogue!
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We have just returned from the old town and there were noticeably less dogs around. We have never witnessed packs and didn't this time either. On a general 'busy-ness' theme, we found most places busy and we waited to get into restaurants most nights (we didn't book this time like we normally do). Streets were buzzing and there was a lovely atmosphere. Restaurants we visited were as follows and these had every table full - Kalamaki, Iso's, Hunkar, Paprika, Aubergine and Fener.
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The idea of a local sanctuary to Kalkan which was discussed at a recent meeting seems to have been placed on the back burner. Due to cost apparently but I'm guessing other factors too. Why people think it's a good idea to have packs of dogs running around I will never know. But they come before the safety of the tourist! Enough said( before I get battered by the 20%).
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I've been to resorts where dogs and cats are routinely killed by the authorities or local business owners and once I've learnt that, I've never returned. Funnily enough, I was talking to people at the weekend who go to Kalkan regularly and their main reasons for returning were the restaurants and the generally friendly and healthy street animals so it's swings and roundabouts. In 10 years of visiting, I've only ever been woken one night by dogs so perhaps I've been lucky.
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I personally don't have a problem with the street dogs but can fully appreciate that other people will have a different view. I would however be pretty annoyed if my sleep was disturbed?.
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I do find it difficult to judge a holiday venue by restuarants & the local dogs alone, for a returning visit. The location has so much to offer the tourist & as we were first introduced to Kalkan over 25 yrs ago when there was no dog situation, not so many restaurants, it still enticed us back. The usual things of peace & quiet, able to relax as we were very busy working people, the friendly atmosphere & of course seeing outside of Kalkan. Since then we have had a home built, not a painless/stressless event by any means, been brave & confident in exploring more of the area & country & we now live here. Yes the animals have been an issue over the last few years along with a few other things, fortunately we are not troubled by the street dogs, that however could change, however we have friends who are, the barking we have witnessed is disturbing to say the least & I would be really more than cheesed off if I suffered countless disturbed nights by the constant barking. We are also aware of the the problems of some of the dogs becoming aggressive, some of those incidents are quite serious.
When you live here full time the constant barking & sleepless nights is totally different,, for those of you here for shorter periods of time, please bear that in mind when comments made such as 'I have been coming for 10 yrs & only woken once ' are made. Some people have been living here full time for well over 15yrs it's their home & of late have the nightly problem.
There is more to Kalkan & the area........
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I always find it a bit strange when people respond to any negative dog post by saying "i have been coming for x years and never had a problem or seen a pack of dogs, etc". Its as if they are saying to those who have " your are making it up".
DRBD has actually lived in Kalkan for 15 and states there is an issue so I would tend to believe that. Personally, I was in Kalkan in the Ortalan area in April/May for 6 weeks and the dog barking was every night over that period. 2 packs of dogs every night. It was a nightmare!!
You may be fortunate to stay in an area in Kalkan during your short holiday visits and not experience the problem - you are lucky. However, by trying to deflect the issue of those who do have a major problem with dogs is part of the reason why this issue never gets resolved.
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I've been staying in our villa in the Ortaalan district since May and can honestly say that I've not been woken by dogs. Am I making it up? All the the posts here are based on personal experience. Nobody is accusing anyone of "making it up".
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I agree with Tatilde, everyone is speaking from their own experience and I did say I know of people who have found it an issue even though we have been fortunate not to share that experience.
I don't think the issue can be resolved by us talking about it on here, anyway....
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Exactly k4e. So happy days how do you propose resolving the issue? Seems the Belediye isn't interested as has been said above the idea of a dogs home seems to have been scraped. I also read somewhere that in Fethiye the Belediye is now apparently opening the gates of the home there and releasing the dogs on to the streets. We can discuss it on here everyday but until the Belediye do something, the situation remains. Thankfully most of Kalkan's street dogs are now neutered and vaccinated due to the work of KAPSA volunteers and those supporting the charity.
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Recent events in this wonderful part of the world kind of put things into perspective another 50 killed+90 injured in a bombing in Gaziantep ,The Airport bombing plus other bombs in Istanbul and other cities ,not to mention a failed military coup with thousands incarcerated and press/media clampdowns..If Kalkans biggest problem is some dogs then it truly must be a wonderful place.
love and peace and Efes everybody :-*
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Putting things into perspective.
Thanks BL :laugh:
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Yes thanks BL :)
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Well put you sensible old blue nose.
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Wise words Blue Lizard, very wise words!
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I never get the 'someones always worse off than you' argument. It suggests that you should make do with any situation and not try to improve it.
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Just out of interest chickengeorge what are you doing to try to improve the situation ?
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Same old question and I'm sure you're not truly interested. I was at the meeting where 80% wanted something done and I have written to the Belediye along with, I suspect, many others. Nothing seems to be done. It's the kapsa way or no way. I've been to Olu Deniz, Fethiye and Gocek this year and none of them seem to have the same problems. Strange first post but nice of you to sign up to ask. 🙂
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Chickengeorge - Are you aware that a statement was issued by AA Fethiye recently advising that the dogs from the Fethiye dogs home are being returned to the streets? Also you say that 80% of people at the meeting wanted something done,I would say that 100% of the people at the meeting wanted something done!
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A step backwards for Fethiye then.
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I prefer the holiday reports....... they're less contentious!!
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I agree Keith, but you could always read those and not read this one.
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Thanks for the reply chickengeorge, just intersted.I don't bother to post,just enjoy reading people's opinions of Kalkan and the enjoyable holiday reports ;)
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Well thanks everyone for all your input, it is indeed a subject that divides opinion. Let me say that we had a fantastic time in Kalkan and will be back sometime. The dogs in the town do not seem to be the issue here. It is the packs on the hillsides and around villas that are the issue. Just one more example of annoyance, we had just got the glad rags on and started the walk to town when a large brown and white dog ran out from some wet mud where someone had been watering, and jumped up, coating me with red brown mud, and I had to go back and change. The dog was not aggressive, was just being friendly. This is my point, it is just another form of nuisance. The dogs actually get into the villa grounds and pool area even though there is a gate. I do not want to spend time ushering dogs out however friendly they may be. I fully agree with BL, that goes without saying. But I still feel that some people are in denial. Perhaps it should be mentioned in villa descriptions that you may be kept awake at night by barking dogs, or intimidated on your way to and from town. Also that earplugs may be required. Then see how that affects bookings. Kalkan is a gem, there is nowhere to touch it, the people as one are the friendliest you will meet anywhere. Don't let this spoil it. Perhaps the description from Premier Inn rooms could be re worded. "This villa is situated near to barking dogs-earplugs are provided to minimise noise" Thanks again everyone for your comments.
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Great the businesses in town will just love this. Already struggling with visitor numbers down so let's add to that and try and put more people off visiting. Do you people really love Kalkan or do you want a Kalkan purpose made for you and your requirements. Just think about it. There is nothing we can do about the dog situation, it is Turkey, it is life in Turkey. If the Turkish Belediye won't do anything what do you expect others to do? Stop writing on forums like this and continue to write to them, just one day hopefully someone from the council may read that letter/email and do something. In the meantime those who are, please stop bashing KAPSA, as actually they are the only ones doing anything.
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Charlie - people have opinions and should be allowed to air them on a public forum. I have seen complaints on too many TVs, sport, fish bowls, searchlights, traffic, the harbour redevelopment, etc. Should everything negative be stopped. No, probably not.
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Our villa is in Kiziltas on the road joining the Akbel Road. We live in Kalkan 6 months of every year and have never once seen a pack of dogs or heard dogs barking in the night (but my neighbor says her neighbor's dog barks to come in). No renter has ever complained about barking dogs. Maybe it is because our villa is surrounded entirely by a high stone wall, no dogs can get in (or out since we have 2 house dogs). The most I've seen have been dogs walking up the road to Akbel and a bitch who every year drops a load of 6-10 puppies in a nearby field. Tried to catch her to neuter, couldn't get within 30 feet of her. I suspect those areas where packs tend to form do so because someone is feeding one or more of the pack dogs. Like cats. If you feed one, soon others know about it and try to take their share.
That said, I do agree there is a problem and there have been some serious incidents of attacks both of dogs attacking people and people cruelly attacking dogs. Unhappily, we fear it is a problem that may not get resolved anytime soon unless the surrounding villagers bring in all their dogs for neutering - which will never happen.
Meanwhile, sleep with AC on or use ear plugs. These are the alternatives if the problem is really bad.
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Are we not forgetting that the street dogs also attack the non-street dogs?
(I'm sitting on the fence on this one :angel:)
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I have lived in Kiziltas for 12 years and have had many sleepless nights due to the barking dogs, it is worse in recent years. I cannot sleep with aircon on so like my windows open. The large dogs also intimidate me when there are so many of them together. It is worse in Kalkan than any other areas of Turkey that i have been to.
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Of course, it's worth noting (trivia warning:) that only domesticated dogs bark. By that, those who exist around humans, not necessarily pets.
Wild dogs, do not bark. Many other sounds, communication is at many levels - the howl being one, the warning growl another, but they don't exhibit the same barking behaviour.
Perhaps they're mimicking humans and discussing Pudsey/Matisse on BGT? (I think that's right - never, ever seen BGT).
Or then again, maybe we are barking mad? >:D
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im keeping quiet