Post by crystal on Jul 15, 2008 17:48:33 GMT -5
I wanted to grab a quick get away some where this summer to give jr his flying wings. My spec to my OH was not too hot and not too far away so a 4hr plane journey and 40 degree heat is what he booked 
I have just spent a week in Side on the med coast of Turkey. I don't know whether Turkey is considered Europe given as only about 8% of the country is officially in Europe but they enter the Eurovision Song contest so that is good enough for me to include them on this site.
The town it's self is tourist central! But it has many interesting features. This was apparantly the place where Mark Antony proposed to Cleopatra and the place is littered with roman ruins and monuments. the Apollo Temple on the harbour is especially impressive. Side is suppose to be the breeding ground for Sea Turtles but I have my doubts turtles would pick such a busy area. But it gives and excuse to those selling turtle magnets, badges, t-shirts, mugs, towels ... Others in my hotel did see dolphins on a boat trip.
We also visited Manavagat which is the city that 'accompanies' Side and pleasant friendly city but we found no real places of interest. We did travel to the heavily advertised Manavagat Waterfalls. Once past armed guards, metal detectors, bag searches and an entrance fee (I kid you not!) we were greeted not with the falls of Victoria proportions as we expected but a slightly damp squib 6ft high trickle. I may be spoiled living in the British Lake District and having many waterfalls littered about the place but I wasn't impressed.
We travelled always by Dolmus (local minibus service). They are very cheap and run regularly although Dolmus translates as Crammed so expect to stand often. They have no set timetable and no real set bus stops. You can flag them down just about anywhere on the streets. They are the only way to travel around town in Turkey. A 10 lira taxi journey could be done for 1 lira in the dolmus. For anyone thinking of traveling across country in Turkey then buses are definatly your best option the train service is old and unreliable.
The prices in TUrkey have jumped so much in the last few years. I have put this down to the Turks accepting the euro in the resorts. Many goods and even menus are priced in euros. Where something used to be 1 Lira (2.3 to the £) they are now priced at 1Euro a big jump. My OH loves the haggling in the bazaars so he got some good bargains. It is expected and part of the fun ;D. Although the 'in your face' style of the sellers can become to much for me. Remember these prices are in tourist central so other parts of Turkey may be different.
My son got his flying wings and even coped with a 3hr delay at 3am on the return trip. I was panicing about taking him but we were very sencible with the heat. It was very hot even 29 degrees at night time
He wore his UV wetsuit in the pool and drank lots of fluids. He was a little angel and the turks are so friendly with children. People stopped to talk to him, gave up seats on buses for us and general were very accomodating. He is an official GFE member now!!!
I have just spent a week in Side on the med coast of Turkey. I don't know whether Turkey is considered Europe given as only about 8% of the country is officially in Europe but they enter the Eurovision Song contest so that is good enough for me to include them on this site.
The town it's self is tourist central! But it has many interesting features. This was apparantly the place where Mark Antony proposed to Cleopatra and the place is littered with roman ruins and monuments. the Apollo Temple on the harbour is especially impressive. Side is suppose to be the breeding ground for Sea Turtles but I have my doubts turtles would pick such a busy area. But it gives and excuse to those selling turtle magnets, badges, t-shirts, mugs, towels ... Others in my hotel did see dolphins on a boat trip.
We also visited Manavagat which is the city that 'accompanies' Side and pleasant friendly city but we found no real places of interest. We did travel to the heavily advertised Manavagat Waterfalls. Once past armed guards, metal detectors, bag searches and an entrance fee (I kid you not!) we were greeted not with the falls of Victoria proportions as we expected but a slightly damp squib 6ft high trickle. I may be spoiled living in the British Lake District and having many waterfalls littered about the place but I wasn't impressed.
We travelled always by Dolmus (local minibus service). They are very cheap and run regularly although Dolmus translates as Crammed so expect to stand often. They have no set timetable and no real set bus stops. You can flag them down just about anywhere on the streets. They are the only way to travel around town in Turkey. A 10 lira taxi journey could be done for 1 lira in the dolmus. For anyone thinking of traveling across country in Turkey then buses are definatly your best option the train service is old and unreliable.
The prices in TUrkey have jumped so much in the last few years. I have put this down to the Turks accepting the euro in the resorts. Many goods and even menus are priced in euros. Where something used to be 1 Lira (2.3 to the £) they are now priced at 1Euro a big jump. My OH loves the haggling in the bazaars so he got some good bargains. It is expected and part of the fun ;D. Although the 'in your face' style of the sellers can become to much for me. Remember these prices are in tourist central so other parts of Turkey may be different.
My son got his flying wings and even coped with a 3hr delay at 3am on the return trip. I was panicing about taking him but we were very sencible with the heat. It was very hot even 29 degrees at night time
He wore his UV wetsuit in the pool and drank lots of fluids. He was a little angel and the turks are so friendly with children. People stopped to talk to him, gave up seats on buses for us and general were very accomodating. He is an official GFE member now!!!
