Turkey 18-25 Jun 2012 inc. Marmaris & Dalyan

It took all of 10 minutes for me to find justification to take advantage of a last minute flight to Bodrum with Pegasus Airlines from Gatwick for £139.00.  After all, the following week I had people coming to stay in both apartments so had to make sure they were cleaned and prepared as I like them! there were a few repairs and replacement to sort out and I wanted to make the additions of microwaves and safe boxes as well as hairdryers for both apartments.  It was also necessary for me to take advantage of a few new excursions and experiences so that I can report back on them; a hard job but someone has to do it!!!!!  There were also photos to take or update and I wanted to drive down to Dalaman/Marmaris and take a trip to Dalyan for the turtles and mud baths.

Every trip to Turkey should always start with a Turkish bath.  It relaxes you well from the start of your holiday, removes all the dead skin and feels like it extends the life of your suntan!  The one I have used recently is Rashid's Authentic and original Turkish bath complex and boasts to be the only Authentic Turkish bath (Hamam) in Bodrum.  Hillview Gardens can arrange this for just £10 basis hamam including transfers per person and there are many extra massages or treatments on offer averaging £30 (shown in euros!)

After the planned chores were finished, I set about taking photos to update my collection, the following are some of those. 

 I hired a gps and decided to take a trip down to Dalaman to see how far it is.  I do need to have a word with Holiday Autos about updating the maps on the gps as the main roads were not recognised and instead I had a very interesting cross-country route taking in many farms, narrow potholed roads with few other cars and houses encountered but passing several farms and cows, chickens and horses in the roads. However, this was an interesting experience, though a little concerning at times especially being a woman driving on her own, with no idea where I was most of the time,  and feeling the need to take a note of the names of every village name I travelled through in case of a flat tyre caused by one of the many poholes, or breakdown.  However, I lived to tell the tale and have some interesting photos to add to the collection.

The nearest beach to Hillview Gardens is down the hill, turn left before the military checkpoint approx. 1.4 kms

Although this is a lovely area set out with sun loungers and umbrellas, the beach itself is a mix of sand, shingle and what appears to be straw so there are better beaches in Yalikavak just 5 mins away, however there is a cafe and restaurant and sports area so a good alternative if you want a quiet location

This is the approach to the beach with sports area with basketball and tennis court, a small childrens play area to

Gumbet beach is about half an hour drive from Yalikavak (on the Bodrum side)and is a little more commercialised than Yalikavak but has a reasonable beach area and some nice looking restaurants.

This is a picture of restaurants by Gumbet beach

Gumbet beach

Gumbet beach

Yalikavak itself is an upmarket smaller resort and marina with good quality restaurants and bars. The prices seem lower than Bodrum and the people and very friendly and helpful. 

The sun sets on the Yalikavak side which is an added bonus.  This picture taken from the smart Marina in Yalikavak

A cafe in the marina

Yalikavak marina

CentralYalikavak at night

Yalikavak

Shopping street in Yalikavak

One of the bars in Yalikavak

One of my favourite restaurants - Mercan Restaurant - the owners will pick you up and drop you back to Hillview if you eat at their restaurant

There is a comfortable area with cushions

Mercan can also make up a table on the beach and light a fire some nights which is a very romantic setting watching the sunset

This beach is the best beach in Yalikavak and is seved by the Mercan Bar and Restaurant - a great service they give too

This is the Karia restaurant which ha been taken over by Bahtin, owner of the Mercan restaurant and due to be refurbished - it is an ideal spot in the centre of Yalikavak and on the waters edge

The following are pictures taken somewhere on my trip through the back and beyond of Turkey!!

Time for a short break on the beach

This was a lovely pretty little village which I came across by accident.

And finally after 3 and a half hours with a short relax on a beach en route, I arrive in Marmaris.  More of a town than a resort and not at all as I expected.  The beach was large and sandy but there were no sunbeds on offer that I saw at all.  It is scenic in position but lacking in character and large in size

I chose to ignore the satnav on the way back and folllow signs for Mugla, Milas and Bodrum and was back in 3 hours.  The following day was the Dalyan trip as below:-

The trip cost was £30 and was 3 hours with a break half way, it was an early start of 0545 hour but was a thoroughly enjoyable trip

Lunch was either fish or chicken and the trout was so tasty.

The blue crab meat allegedly gives great powers and certainly was very enjoyable (cooked whilst you sunbathed on one of the best beaches in Turkey)

1 1/2 hours rest on the beautiful beach where part is roped off due to the turtles laying here (backed by the river on the one side and the meditteranean sea on the other)