Turkey 2014 – day 9 – boat tour

Earlier in the week, after hearing great reviews we booked a private day long boat tour for just 600TL (£34ish each).

We were due to depart on Sunset 1 at 1030 but arrived at 1010, being private we set sail right away with a coffee in hand.

The captain and his assistant were very nice and kept us informed of each location. We arrived at the first, mouse island see (PIC 1) but this seemed busy so we suggested we go on.

The next stop was a short swim from a small pebble beach. This was hard to get onto as the rocks were v slipperly, then the beach itself is hard on the feet. We swam back then went to our next location. By this time lunch was being prepared, whilst on the boat the crew were fishing for our fish! We decided not to swim and sat at the table and had a beer each.

When lunch arrived it was a feat, plenty of:

Freshly caught whiting
Chicken in a nice sauce
Yogurt and mushroom sauce
Aubergine salsa thing
Runner beans
Caughette fritta
Panckake with cheese

Out captain even jumped in the water to assist another boat who was having anchor problems. He dived in and went under to see why it wasn’t coming back up!

The quality was, like others have said, restaurant quality. Despite the basic facilities they have.

After more swimming at the final 2 stops we had tea:

a marble like cake
Baklava
Melon
Water melon
Banana
Figs
Apple
Oranges

And a choice of apple tea or coffee.

We were all surprised at how quick the day went. Everyone expected us to be wanting to go back after 4 hours but we wanted longer!

Check out some of the pics below. Recommended to anyone who comes to Kalkan

Turkey 2014 – day 3

Chill out
Today was the first of many chill outs. We went to the basic supermarket up the top which had the basics. Lots of pool time with a nice cheese, tomato, onion, bread lunch. Today we went to Kosk (see TripAdvisor review x link) had an incredible meal, so reasonable we decided to come out most nights of our holiday I had a dish called Sultan with Baklava to follow.

We had a crazy taxi driver back to the villa nicknamed Baba! Even had leopard print seats.

Turkey 2014 – day 4 to 8

We’ve not done much for the last few days. Chilling, reading, swimming with the odd trip to the shop up the top or down to Yaki with a taxi back. We’ve had some great meals at The Olive Garden and Samphire and not so great at Alternative.

One evening we met up with Babs and Pete, not seen them in ages! We went back to Kosk, all (apart from Pete) doubled up for an a!axing sharing platter. The lamb and chicken was perfect. We all had desert then went to a barnfor a drink.

Oh and we made friends with this cutie

Turkey 2014 – day 2

After a long and late night we woke up and had some breakfast, bread and jam with a lovely coffee.

We decided to go and explore, despite the heat we walked down to the !main village. A very pretty walk past two mosques. We went o !moonlight cafe and had some lunch and beers. I had a Turkish pancake with lamb, potatoes and onion inside and of course chips and Efes!

We took a walk further down to the harbour to look at a possible boat trips. After a look on one we went away to find a supermarket. We got the basics (bread, onions, cheese and beer etc). And stuff for dinner.

As we were so tired we decided to stay in. Me and Vicky cooked a basic pasta and cheese dish.

Tired, we went to bed.

Turkey 2014 – day 1

So. Our first abroad holiday since Australia!

With a 1455 flight to Dalaman, we decided to get the coach to Gatwick nice and early. The alarm went off at 0545 and we left shortly after 0715. Once off the bus we walked with our cases to Gloucester Green with a Costa along the way.

We met mum and Ken then got our tickets. A short wait to 0815 and we were on the coach.

We arrived at Gatwick at 1010, made our way to the Thomas Cook check in desk. Due to the queue they opened at 1030 rather than 1050. One the bags were on their journey we went to the new look security. You stood on markings on the floor then out all loose items and bags into a crate. After collection we took a look around Duty Free.

Knowing what spirits we wanted, we headed for something to eat at Nandos. The fun (not) was about to begin.

I checked my phone and my Google card showed or flight as being delayed, over 4 1\2 hours! In disbelief I went to the screen and saw “delayed 1845”, “gate info 1710” this happened last time. We went to the info desk and were given £6 of vouchers each to buy food and were told the plane was at Gatwick (we thought it was delayed at Dalaman)but had a faulty cargo door. We went to Pret and brought 2 sandwiches and a drink

With loads of time, we spent time looking in the shops. And brought our duty free. The board said we were due an update however after 10 minutes we went to the info desk but no one was there apart from 30 angry and confused passengers. After ranting at an Airport worker the screen updated to a new “gate info time” after the wait we had been given a gate!

Once at the gate, already irate passengers were talking to the 2 staff at the desk. We were them informed that they were still working on the plane! This was now 7 hours late!

It was getting heated at the gate, passengers were threatening to cancel there flight which would of caused even more delays. Finally the announcement was that we would be boarding! It was met by applause.

Once on board the the cabin managers and captain were very apologetic, they informed us that it was the same pilot and cabin crew that was planned. So we weren’t the only people who had had a long day. Once we’d taken off we were entitled to one free drink as an apology. Not a lot to them.

After some power naps we landed (0210, was due at 20 at Dalaman. The queue for passport control was big (over 230 people on the flight) but we soon got through. Our bags were even with us pretty soon!

We found our taxi man at about 0250 and arrived at Seaside Villa at 0420. We went straight to bed.

22nd Jan – the return

Goodbyes, flight

19th Jan

Flight back to Sydney is at 1255. We had breakfast then went back to pack the final few things. And checked out by 10am.

As we had over an hour we checked out the shopping mall just down from the hotel. It was small, I brought another item from Typo, a pouch for my Tablet and Kindle.

We had a cookie crumble frappachino in Starbucks and uses the free WiFi for updates from home about the snowy weather then went to the taxi booth.

30 minutes later were checking in.

During the descent into Sydney we got views of the bridge and opera house.

After landing we went straight for the car park shuttle bus. Then headed home.

We then began to pack ready for our flight home in a few days time. Vicky and Hannah went shopping to get some lunch for the cricket tomorrow.

18th Jan

After a tiring day at the tennis we decided to take it easy.

So aftet breakfast we hit the shops. Melbourne is great for shopping. We went back to the same shoe shop we got Vickys from yesterday and all brought some slip ons.bI wanted to have a look in Myers for some more Ralph Lauren t-shirts. Instead I purchased 2 jumpers for $180! A yellow and blue one. After some lunch we headed to the Queen Victoria Market this time in the day. We arrived at about 1430 and some stores were closed or closing. Vicky brought a bag the size of a purse. After we went for some drinks at The Drunken Poet, after the first drink Happy Hour kicked in. Beers for me and Guinness for the girls were $5 each rather than $8. Feeling hungry we went for pizza at La Preceltta.

It was our last night in Melbourne, on the walk back we spotted some bats. We followed them to the tree and spent 10 mins watching and listening to them fly in and out of the trees. Also we come accross two boys feeding possums. They were very tame and even approached us!

We went back to Hannah and Emmas room to finish the last of the cake then went to bed.

17th Jan

We got up and headed to breakfast for 0800 because we need to catch a free tram from Fed Square to Melbourne park for tennis. The breakfast was ok,  toast on a cool industrial toaster, cereal, scrambled egg and beans and apple and orange juice along with tea and coffee.

We headed put at 0900, the walk to Fed Square took 20 minutes and the free tram bound for the tennis was waiting to leave, we got to the queue at 0940 and the gates opened 20 minutes later. Play started at 11 which gave us enough time to have a look around the shop and get a beer from the bar inside the arena.

As we sat down, the roof started to slow open. We were 4 rows from the back but had a brilliant view, my camera easily zoomed on the players and the people in the players box, mainly Victoria Azerenkos rumoured boyfriend Tedfrrnu from LMAFO and Serena Williams mother. The results were:

*results*

During the Tomic game the Aussie fans came in. These are the guys who entertain during the game and appear on TV. One stunt is someone shouting into a large cardboard phone, Astra Boy who ran around the entire arena even the players watched!, sheets marked as a tennis court with two players and whenever a call is challenged.

Afterwards we had to walk to the apartment as the queue for the free tram was stupidily busy. It wasn’t a far at walk, 20 minutes at most.

We had a quick shower and headed to the docks. The birthday girls chose a Cambodian restaurant called Bopha Davi. For starter we had chicken rice paper and for main a dish with chicken balls with a mint salad and noodles under. Very nice. Washed down with a James Boags lager.

Then we went to Cole’s to get a birthday cake, $4 Victoria Sponge and ate it in their room.

15th Jan

Today we were leaving Uluru, our flight was at 1225 so our transfer bus was picking us up at 1025. After checking out at 1000 we had just enough time to visit the shop next to our apartments lodge. We purchased a few magnets and a photo frame.

Our coach was the first to arrive at the airport so we had checked in pretty much as soon as we got there. The airport is tiny, 4-5 departures and arrivals a day. One cafe and a small gift shop.

Once on the Virgin Australia plane in just under 4 hours we landed in Sydney.

We navigated the airport to the train station, changed at Central and we were at the apartment by 1730. As Hannah and Emma were not expecting is until 1800 we had a short wait outside.

As soon as we were in we had showers then got washing on ready for packing for Melbourne. Me and Vicky popped to the liquorland to get them some Cider. Later on before bed Hannah and Emma opened their present which was a customised glass, ear rings from a Christmas market in Oxford.

Up at 0400 tomorrow so bed.