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Suzanne Neumann |
| Registered: | 16 September 2007 | | Last visit: | 16 September 2007 |
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| Turgutreis Travel Guide: Getting to know the real Turgutreis
| | Written by Suzanne Neumann on 16 Sep 2007 about a trip in Aug 2007.
Trip was for a family on holiday. Suzanne Neumann would definitely visit again.
| Turgutreis shopping | | This is my 7th trip to Turkey and I would really encourage people visiting Turkey as a whole to get to know the locals as this will make your trip so much better. Maybe not the the extent I did (I'm marrying one!), but even prior to my engagement, I found that once we had made friends with people, everything was much cheaper and there was less hassle from everyone (including the sexual leers that tend to be frequently dished out!)
As with all shopping in Turkey, barter! It also pays to learn some basic Turkish - like asking how much something is ('fiyat' or 'paha' or in fact 'para' - lets not get started on the Turkish language!) and too much ('çok para') and also basic counting, greetings etc. I have found that, given I look Turkish, I can elicit local prices by using basic Turkish - wouldn't work if you are blonde and blue-eyed but worth a try if not! The market is worth a visit but go in the late afternoon when it's cooler, especially if you are there in the height of summer. And always ask the price first, whether in the market or a shop, then barter - some shops do have prices marked and won't barter but most are willing to. That said, please show respect - I have been highly embarrassed hearing foreigners be rude, aggressive and disrespectful when bartering - it really doesn' t help and just because their English may be limited, this doesn't mean their intelligence or culture is! |
Turgutreis nightlife | | Nutters Beach Bar - definitely! I have 3 teenagers and they basically lived at Nutters. It is great during the day as you can lie on the beach, relax and be served cocktails, take a dip in the ocean (yes there are stones just beyond the tide level but only about 2 feet wide if you enter at the right place) then shower under their mermaids and back to the sunbed, inside for lunch then back in the evening to party either after or including dinner (Food prices are great and food is fab and healthy!). They also have a free service home (in what my teens called the pimp mobile). The barstaff are friendly and helpful and kept an eye on my teens when they were there without me.
We also went to the Saturday night BBQ with Turkish dancing etc - I have been to these before in different resort locations but these guys did offer a variety of entertainment beyond the norm.
One of the other reasons I like this bar is the respect they show in turning off the music when the call to prayer comes on - I'm not Muslim but I appreciate that despite all the effort Nutters has gone to to ensure foreign visitors have a great time, the maintain respect for their own culture. |
Turgutreis restaurants | | There are good fish restaurants in the Marina, however these are pricey. The restaurants on the waterfront are also more pricey than the ones further back in the streets so if you are on a budget I'd suggest you wander around and check out the restaurants off the waterfront. Nutters Bar is great for food (as previously mentioned) and there is one right near the mosque, called Alins I think, that has great food at a great price.
There are also some fab Turkish restaurants that the locals use - will update when remember the names of them but there is one at the start of the market area, on the left hand side of the road and one that is open 24hours - the food is great and cheap! |
Turgutreis attractions | | | If you want history, you will probably need to travel outside of Turgutreis to the likes of Ephesus etc. Within the town there is a nice park heading along the beach past the marina (down the hill from the Paradise Hotel) but to me the biggest attraction was getting out on a boat and heading for the islands. Nearby Bodrum is worth a visit, although I found it too westernised (sorry, but I prefer to explore local culture rather than a westernised version of it!) |
Turgutreis day trips | | Boat trips - I went on many and enjoyed them. Most of the prices are the same (around £10 per trip which barely covers the cost) and they make their money through selling drinks on board at rather a mark up (which is why they don't allow you to take your own on board as a general rule). One thing I would say is that the guys on board most of the boats have a tendency to use the word 'sexy' a lot - regardless of age of woman addressing which can cause issues when used to address a young girl. I pointed this out to them but they have been misinformed re this being the appropriate and expected method of talking to westerners - to be honest, I think we sometimes bring this on ourselves. That said, for parents going, please don't get offended the first time this happens - I would suggest that you calmly advise that it is not an appropriate way to address a child (or you for that matter) and you would prefer they didn't. If they continue, let the captain or owner know (if they are on board) as they do not want to lose customers and will respond.
They also flirt outrageously and will, if you are of legal age and interested, attempt to sleep with you! Hey, it's one of the perks of the job!! I think, given the way many single foreign women behave when they are on holiday, in regards to taking lovers, means we bring this on ourselves....and I'm not judging here at all but it is very different for them to the way Turkish or Kurdish women would behave. But don't tolerate them brushing up against you etc - some will try it on but will back off if you tell them to (or complain!)
The term 'girlfriend' is also used very differently there - I would equate it to 'lover' as it is applied as soon as you show interest...or even if you don't! I was argued over by two guys who had 'dibs' on me after I'd only met them briefly when we purchased the tickets - neither had a chance to be honest! Fortunately I was defended by a man who had never met me who argued that they could not barter over me like that as it was my choice, not theirs...he is the same man I am now engaged to! So no, they are not all alike!!! Just keep your feet on the ground and don't let them take you for a ride, especially paying for things. It's your holiday so don't let it be ruined. |
Getting to Turgutreis | | | The charter flights are the cheapest option and most hotels or apartments can arrange transport from the airport (cost is around £30 for a car, £50 for a people carrier) |
Getting around Turgutreis | | Walk! It's a great way to burn off the calories, just wear a hat during the day and make sure you drink lots of water. Otherwise, the dolmus is the cheapest option to get to other towns (inc Bodrum) or taxi within Turgutreis itself (it is cheaper to get them from the taxi stands than calling them out, unless you're with a local, and make sure they turn the meter on!) |
When to visit Turgutreis | | I love it over August but it is the hotest time so if you're not so keen on the heat, the summer season runs for 5 months from June through October. |
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