Decided to go on holiday to Turkey this year, for the first time, although I have been to Istanbul on business. We went to Kusadasi, which is on the Aegean Sea, about 2 and a half bumpy hours from Bodrum airport. We went AI (all inclusive), and we stayed at the Surmeli Efes hotel. We, by the way, included myself, my wife Julie, son Dan and daughter Natasha.
We flew from Gatwick on a late flight on Sunday, and, by the time we had transfered, we arrived at the hotel in time for 8am breakfast! Then we launched into our first day, and sat by the very nice pool. Lunch came and went, Julie and Tash went to the "welcome" meeting, where they met Rob, Lin and Niki, who turned out to be very nice people from Southend in Essex.
During the daytime we were asked several times if we wanted to go on trips but decided to see if we could cope with the heat first! Every day was clear sky's and sun, about 35 degrees. Food was generally OK, beer included, the ladies struggled a bit to get a decent drink, vodka was too strong, local wine too sharp. Most nights we could get meat, chicken and veg etc. And some reasonable deserts.
We had pedalo's and canoes included so we enjoyed ourselves on those, and, by the end of the week, we had decided that the beach was preferable to the pool, since it was cooler! The hotel never felt overly busy, and we really enjoyed ourselves. If there was a downside it was the entertainment, a nightly show by the animation crew, and an awful pianist who played and sang at the pool bar until midnight. We could stand on our balcony and see and hear him!
We went to Kusadasi market on Wednesday by Dolmus bus, had McDonald's in town, and came back and went straight to the beach! Friday we went out on a boat for 6 hours, lovely on the way out, Dan and I dived into the sea from the boat, very rough on the way back. Tash has vowed never again!
Saturday Julie was not feeling too well and to cut a long story short we ended up staying the night in the local hospital! Only just got back in time on Sunday to pack, have a swim, grab lunch and leave at 1pm. At Bodrum airport we got caught for the worlds worst burger meals, at 12 Euro's each! Julie bought the same with a pizza at 10 Euro's. Disgusting! We arrived back home via Gatwick (and another MacDonald's!) at gone midnight. Surmeli Efes is well recommended, and Kusadasi deserves another visit, perhaps when it is cooler!
Now back in the office and boy has it rained this week!!!!
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