Side (pronounced "See-day"), Turkey

Merhaba ("hello")! The trip was a tremendous success and Günter said I looked much younger! Ha. Really, I thourally enjoyed myself and felt very relaxed. I am now telling everyone to check their contract and see if there is a clause about a paid holiday in there--there was in mine!

Since some of my friends living here in Germany are interested in travels and want to know how to make it happen, I will say I found this trip as a last minute deal at expedia.de (if 60 days is last minute...) I checked out a lot of hotels on the tripadvisor to make sure I got a good one. (I had also considered the Canary Islands, Mallaco and a few other sunny places) for my holiday BY MYSELF (I keep having to clarify this to people--I happily went ALONE. I didn't want to feel obligated to do anything with anyone while I was there. Since I was single for so long I am quite comfortable and confident in traveling by myself.

This is the resort I stayed at. It was considered 5 star and was all inclusive (3 meals and drinks) but I would probably put it at 4 stars--which is still good.

I flew out of Zweibrücken (which was a former US military base before it closed--it has a huge airfield but is a VERY small airport) which was great since it was only 25 minutes from my home (rather than Ryan Air at Hahn or Frankfurt both about 1.5 hour drive). I flew on TUIfly and was pleased that they didn't nickle and dime everything like RyanAir. It is true that the plane took off 1.5 hours late but it wasn't their fault--there was a mechanical problem in Italy and they got that fixed (which I am grateful for) before coming to us. I was surprised that they served a light dinner (pasta) and drinks and a dessert. They had some shows playing on the TV but I just settled into my Twilight series book! It was a 2 hour flight plus one hour time zone change.

After landing and getting my baggage, I went to find the shuttle to the hotel (I knew it was a 50 minute drive). It was quite late by then (after 11 pm) and there was a young child that was crying the whole way and all of us were glad when we arrived at our various hotels. During the drive I noted a few things: surprisingly, gas was even more expensive than in Germany(!), the Turkish people are very patriotic--their flag was hanging every where and lately though their driving seems safe they drive down the middle of the line, so there were two lanes marked but 3 used. By the time I checked in and got my room it was 1 am. I just unpacked and tried for the life of me to turn off all the lights. I tried every light switch but couldn't get the one off by the mirror. In the end I just pulled the card key out and it turned it all off (the next day I just unscrewed the light bulbs until I discovered the hidden switch). The bathroom was all marble and the tub was a whirlpool and there was even a scale (go figure...like anyone wants to think of that during a holiday).

The next day I got up and saw a lovely sunrise.

Then headed to the breakfast--which was European style--bread, cheese and meats with some fruits.

I had an omlet every day and crepe with nutella! Here is the only picture of me:

Afterwards I went exploring. I found the Turkish bath/spa and they could fit me right in. The Turkish bath ("hamam"--if you want to read more about them, link here.) is the direct successor to the Roman bath and has had a special place in Turkish tradition for hundreds of years. Traditionally the Hamam has a domed roof with thick bottle-glass lights set into the dome that concentrate the sunlight.

After changing into the traditional 'Pestemal' a type of sarong (over your swimsuit), your body is acclimatized with warm water while lying on the hot marble slabs, then scrubbed with a 'loaf', to remove the top layers of dead skin cells and ingrained dirt. Then they soap (foam) you up by filling this cloth and swinging it around until the foam was made. It smelled like lemmon. Then they washed and massaged. It was so lovely. To end they rinse you again with the warm water while you lay on the hot marble. It is heavenly.

(Obviously I didn't take any photos but found a few to show you what it is like--there was no one else in there with me but the lady pouring warm water and scrubbing me).

Then they had me relax and drink some Turkish tea (more like apple cider) until it was time for my massage. I thought the massage therapist was quite good (and I have had massages all over the world). I have had a Swedish massage in Sweden and a Turkish massage in Turkey...I still need to hit China and Thailand! He did pressure points, adjustment (of my spine) as well as good, relaxing workout of my muscles.

Then I went to check out the workout room (which sadly I never used but it was pathetic anyhow), the indoor and outdoor pools, the children areas, the other rooms (I could peek in while the maids were cleaning).

I headed to my room and sprayed my fake tan on (and upset that it didn't seem to tan me even several hours later...) and made my way down to the beach. It was a bit of a maze--going down several elevators (or stairs, if you like) and around buildings and paths then finally to the beach. The sand was fine and warm and they had loungers with pads for everyone as well as free drinks. I was glad that they also had shade covers because I love the sun but am careful not to get too much (fear of skin cancer). It was quite noisy with all the wild jet skiiers, speed boats pulling up parasailers etc.

There were horse and camels on the beach as well as people just wandering.

But it was still peaceful with the sound of the waves and the warm sun.

I headed back to my room and felt everything was off to a great start. Unfortunately I went out on my balcony and found that the kitchen was directly below and smelled all the oil cooking as well as the workers smoking and talking. I went down to the front office to see if I could have a different room and I found that very few understand English. I gave up and went to lunch.

The buffets were quite elaborate but after 2 days you started to see no variance. It was okay because I had my favorite things to eat and I found that I didn't eat so much when someone else cooked and I could choose what looked good.

In the afternoon I walked along the beach. Here is a favorite photo I got of the rocks on the beach.

Then cut through another hotel to the main street to find a store that had cheaper batteries than the hotel (3 euros for 2 AA). I was paranoid that I was always getting ripped off as an American. I probably was. Anyhow, I found a place and bought 4 for 3 euros (I guess I should clarify that they are now accepted in the European Union and are slowly phasing into the euro but still use liras). I needed the batteries for my sound maker if I was going to enjoy my room. The shops are all about the same--shoes, tshirts and souvineers.

That evening I reserved the fish resturant and had a nice served dinner.

The first day was so relaxing and wonderful.

The next day I had another massage right after breakfast (which I don't think is a good idea because it is better to let the blood flow for the massage rather than digestion). Then I read my book at the pool.

It was sad that the days were so short (the sun was up around 7 am and went down at 5 pm).

I was further annoyed when I went to take a nap in my room to find the patio furniture inside the room and drop clothes on the balcony and the strong smell of paint with workers there.

The next morning I went to the front desk again to see if there was any chance of moving to a new room. I had good luck because the guest relations gal lived in America for a year and understood my concerns and found me another room--one with a very nice sea view and was quiet.

to be continued...

Posted by Krista at November 7, 2008 05:38 PM