Tangos Turkey Travel Report PART ONE and PART TWO

Tango Bunny · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject:

Sorry it's long so I've decided to do it in 2 parts
Heres the first bit

Left for Cardiff airport at 4pm on Sunday 9th Sept ,myself,hubby and our 2 friends off to Gumbet for one week..Got to airport in good time 3 check in desks operating no queues for Onur air flight to Bodrum.... brill start to the holiday.
Boarding time was 7.50pm take off at 8.20pm....8.00 pm comes and goes no call to board.....finally at 8.10 they call us.We are all seated and waiting by 8.25......still there at 9.00pm....finally an announcement that they are waiting for the rest of the luggage to be loaded.....9.20 we take off.....1 hour late.
Never flown with Onur air before and it wasn't as bad as I'd thought it was going to be....OK there was no in-flight entertainment but the soft drinks were free and the food wasn't that bad.....I've actually had worse with the likes of BMI and First Choice.
4 hours later we touch down with a near perfect landing.....my ears didn't even pop and this from the person that usually gets horrific pain in her ears, sinuses and even in my teeth....Well pleased.
Everything goes smoothly through visas and passport control....then we go to get out luggage....and we wait.....and wait.....and wait finally 50 mins later we have all our cases and set off to find our Goldtrail rep......your having a laugh.....needle and haystack comes to mind....there are literally hundreds of people waiting in arrivals with little placards no sign of rep.......we go outside as my mate is gasping for a ciggy.I can hear some demented woman shouting .something....hang on its Goldtrail.
Shes actually on the other side of the road bawling her head off waiting for us to go to her.....not like you average rep who looks for you....we have to play guess the location of our rep.....It's now 5am and we are knackered.
Finally after locating a few more passengers we are on our way.........we have to drop off at 6 hotels before ours and eventually get to ours at 6.10am to tired to even notice what the room is like....we pile into bed....a double by the way and off to the land of nod.
Woken at 9am by some sort of noise.....not sure if it's air in the water pipes or the air-con which by the way we dont have on.
I'd previously e-mailed the hotel Turihan in Gumbet to ask if we could have 2 rooms next to each other and if they could either a pool or sea view.
Threw open the balcony to be greeted by a lovely view of both pool and sea and we were in rooms next to each other.
Now I'd read several reviews on this hotel some not very nice but I honestly dont know what people are moaning about.....Yes the hotel is basic but you get what you pay for and please dont expect 4* luxury spanish style hotel when you pay Turkish 2* economy prices.... you get what you pay for a clean basic hotel with the most perfect location on the beach run by a Turkish family with some of the most helpfully pleasant staff I've ever encountered.If you want luxury then this is not the hotel for you.
We spent the first day just chillin by the pool and around the hotel bar as we were still to tired to do much of anything,ventured into town in the evening and had a lovely meal at Planet Yucca,fab food great staff....but a word of warning....do check your bill ours was wrong on 2 of the 3 occassions we ate there....to their advantage.Then on to Murphys bar....a bit of a hike up the hill but well worth it....2 lads singing one is called Fergus not sure about the other......They sing a combination of traditional irish songs plus some popular chart hits....really good singers ....well worth the walk
Next day we caught a dolmus into Bodrum to the weekly market.Got some real good bargains but to be honest we could have got the same stuff in the shops back in Gumbet.....but it was nice to go back again and walk around the fabulous marina our friends had never stayed in Gumbet before only Marmaris so the dolmus ride was an experience in itself.
That evening we ate at the hotel and then wandered up to the corner bar for an absolutely mad night
Thursday evening we went to see the Dreamgirls show.I'd seen it before 5 years ago and this time it was totally different.I've seen many drag shows in several resorts but this is by far the best....absolutely hilarious.

Part 2 to follow

_________________

$Christmas countdown banner$

Acorncup · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

very interesting so far betty

Flights often leave late, in my experience

Bet you were tired when you arrived though

the location sounds great, sounds like you had some fun too

looking forward to part 2

_________________

Welcome Holly!

Elaine · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

Me too Tango - its taking me home!

Elaine
_________________

Carol · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject:

Great review so far
Looking forward to part 2
_________________

k&r · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:24 am Post subject:

brilliant review tango........it brings it all back to me, we stayed in bodrum, and used to eat at the harbour front most nights in ali baba's, when we left we had there adresses and kept in touch......

look forward to part 2!

laws1 · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:40 am Post subject:

very Good Tango

Could feel the heat when you opened these balcony doors

Tango Bunny · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:06 am Post subject:

Part two as promised

Friday 14th Sept
Up early today not even time for breakfast as bus is picking us up for our trip to Kos at 8.10am.Little git at the ticket office told us a whopper of a fib when we tried to book the Hydrofoil over......"It finish last week" were his exact words so we opted for the ferry crossing taking 1 hour......big big mistake.
Anyway eventually minibus picks us up and off we go to Bodrum..Driver dumps us off at the bottom end of the marina without a word just waves his arms in the general direction we are supposed to walk to get the ferry.Lucky some of us know where we are going isn't it. Eventually we get to the part of the harbour where the ferry is docked,hand in our tickets and passports, get given different tickets for boarding and leaving Turkey and return ones.,Pass through passport control....think that's it....Oh no you have to go through more controls to get your passport stamped as you are leaving the country....we queue for about 40 mins.
Finally we get on the ferry and we leave at 9.30 for Kos.
What we didn't realise is 3 ferries all leave at around the same time and guess what.....10 mins into our journey what passes us.....yup you've guessed it....the bloody hydrofoil.....you know ....the one that stopped running a week ago.....Damn lying Turkish ticket blokie we could have been there in 20 mins.....more shopping time. Very pleasant ferry crossing we are on the top deck catching the rays and it's not as windy as I thought it would be....mind you some have got fleeces on...me I'm in my bikini top and shorts.....Finally we arrive at Kos.....yup you've guessed it just after the other 2 ferries so we are now at the very back of the queue to go through passport control...........we move forward at a snails pace and finally the 4 of us get through....only took 1hr 30mins.....
By now we are gagging for a drink so stop at a cafe for a coffee before setting off shopping.
Kos is a lovely island with quaint little streets opening up into large open squares. Shops are different to those in Turkey so Louise and I make sure we dont miss one single shop.After a while we get a bit peckish so stop off at a nice little place and have a traditional kebab.....well you do dont you.
Back to shopping for an hour or so then we make our way back to the ferry as the driver has told us we need to be there early as he's going by 4.30 and if we are not there by 4pm we wont get through passport control in time and he'll go without us......we are there by 3.45 and there is a queue already. we wait for about 30 mins before we get our passports stamped.....and there is no Duty free shop there so if you want any you either have to get it at Bodrum or in the duty free shops in Kos......I got some Voddie in Kos in plastic bottles for 4.95 euros a litre.....bloody bargain even cheaper than Spain.....I was well impressed.Back on the ferry and away to go....hour later we are back at Bodrum....guess what....minutes behind the other 2 ferries again and not one but 2 hydrofoil passed us on the way back.....lying little Turk I'm gonna get him later...no hydrofoil in deed.
Anyway it's back to the very large queue for getting your passport stamped yet again........finally get through and the total time spent in a queue for the trip is 4 hours 10 mins......bloody ridiculous we spent more time in a queue than we did on Kos......anyone thinking of doing the trip.....TAKE THE HYDROFOIL.....Got some cheap Jack Daniel's in the duty free at the marina for Vicki 1litre was just 17 euro.
Now to find the mini bus back.....Ha Ha your having a laugh......Turkish couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.A blokie has a card saying Busses to hotel and he's holding it above his head.....he has a crowd of about 80 people all wanting to get back to their hotels it's now gone 6pm and we've been back since 4.30pm....tempers are fraying and kids are crying......brits,germans,dutch all pretty peed off I can tell you,busses come onto stand and he shouts out hotel names but he doesn't seem to know what he's doing.We give our hotel name and he shrugs his shoulder.Al asks driver if he's going to Gumbet and he nods so we get on regardless....buggar him we'll find our own way home.Bonus Keith finds a shoe box under his seat with a cracking pair of shoes in it....just Als size.......way hey trip to Kos free pair of shoes.....small price to pay for being shunted around like cattle al day.
Finally get back to Hotel....yup we are last off the bus crash out for an hour on the bed....which by the way is the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever slept in.
We are all still pretty knackered after our day so decide we wont have a late night go to Planet Yucca for food and then walk along the sea front stopping off in several bars to watch a belly dancer with a snake then at Sami beach their exotic dancers show....not bad but very Butlins if you know what I mean.
Sat our last full day here so serious shopping must be done this morning.....plus it's the last serious chance to top up the tan.....get my supply of Turkish apple tea....may last me a year then I'll have to beg someone else to bring some back for me....I'm trying to watch the weight in my suitcases coz I know I've bought s**t loads of t shirts,hoodies,cardies,trianers and handbags.....so I limit myself to 2 large bozes of Apple tea and I hold off on the Turkish delight and opt to buy the girls in work fridge magnets instead.
Shopping done I whizz up to the room and dump my stuff......I'm spending the rest of the day by the pool.......
After a little siesta we are off out for the rugby.4pm kick off. Amazingly we watch Wales play Australia in a Chinese bar, served by Turkish Waiters and we are drinking German beer.....Turks dont really understand rugby....footie is their thing but all the waiters join in and cheer when Wales scores.....they promise us free shots the next time we score and thankfully Wales deliver though we didn't win.....we still had a good time even if the bar man did try and steal my Welsh t shirt off me.
Back to hotel to change and do a bit of packing then it's off for the night......
Following day we dont have to be out of our room until 12pm brill as most places are 10pm these days
Early breakfast and off to the pool to catch a last min bit of sun managed to get another 2 hours sunbathing and to be honest I dont think I could have stuck it much longer because this has to be the hottest day so far....it's absolutely steaming.
Up to the room for a quick shower and change then its humping the suitcases down a flight of stairs and off to the bar for a light lunch and a farewell drink with the lads.
Bus to pick us up is late...seems its a done thing here in Turkey....anyway rep eventually turns up....seems bus has ploughed into a parked car.....doesn't exactly instil confidence in your driver....anyway we are transferred by Minibus to Bitez where we will pick up our main bus to the airport.
Get to the airport and there is hardly anyone in the queue to check in....brilliant,we whizz through and go straight through passport control for a change ....Bodrum airport only has 3 gates and I think every single passenger had chosen to camp out right in front of them.....there wasn't a single seat available and every nationality you can think of is sitting on floors,tables,plant stands, luggage waiting to be called.....it's chaos there is no room to spit......Cup of coffee requires a second mortgage and a can of coke os 5 euro.....thank god we brought our own drinks....which I might add went through the scanner at passport control undetected..
Finally we see our Cardiff up in lights at gate 2 however we've not been called....not that you can understand the announcements.
We board on time so hopefully we'll take off on time.....noooooo such chance....Trolley dolly puts on the security tape and all the lights go out.......after about 6 attempts and lights coming on and going off again they finally get the security tape going and we start to move back off stand.....nope all lights go out again and we move back onto stand again.......half an hour after we are meant to leave we finally get going..........
Meal is much the same as on the way out. Grated carrot with a slice of lemon and an olive for starter. Main meal,Rice,mix veg and a chicken casserole type thing (beef on way out),Sweet is a type of rice pudding crossed with blancmange, there is a roll,butter,jam,cheese and biscuits. You can have any soft drink you like plus tea and coffee.....which is so strong you are positively buzzing after drinking it.
Good flight and yet another perfect landing.Onur air have fabbo planes and really good pilots it's just their time keeping and lack of entertainment that lets them down.
Now it's just getting our bags and we'll be off home......Cardiff Airport get your act together....1 baggage handler for a plane full of people.....about 40 cases came onto the carousel and then we had to wait another 20 mins for the next set of bags......took us nearly 40 mins before we all got our bags....for gods sake its not rocket science put 2 handlers on and people will get their bags in half the time......
I'm sweating going through customs as I'm 3 times over the limit but blokie is so bored he's almost asleep and doesn't pull anyone over.....phew.
We find our driver straight way and we are home in the house by 10.10 pm.
Had a wonderful time in Turkey despite spending half the holiday in a queue....lol
Cant wait to go back again may try a different resort next time though I would love to go back to Gumbet someday. I'd deffo go back to the Turihan....great value for money bit next time I'm going on a day flight
_________________

$Christmas countdown banner$

k&r · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

brilliant tango!!!!!!!!

i cant wait to go back next july now!!!!!!!!!!!

Acorncup · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

Phew great report

That ferry trip sounds a pain, we had lots of hot waiting when we went by ferry on a trip to Venice from Croatia....but we weren't overatken by a hydrofoil

how frustrating to have been told the season was over :evil:

Sounds like you had a good time and picked up some real bargains though

roll on the next holiday

_________________

Welcome Holly!

Elaine · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:37 pm Post subject:

Great detailed report Tango - loved it loved it loved it!

Elaine
_________________

Tango Bunny · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone
Hope it didn't sound as if I didn't enjoy my holiday because I really did.I'm just trying to point out that some things can run a lot smoother with a bit more organisation.....if you know what I mean
_________________

$Christmas countdown banner$

pepsigirl · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject:

You described it perfectly tangobunny, but despite all the queuing we had a fabulous time, as previously stated Keith and I hadn't been to Gumbet before (been twice to Marmaris) thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would definitely go back there again, and to that hotel, centrally located, great staff and a wonderful view, imagine eating your breakfast overlooking the med, well that is what we did every morning.

numberplease · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject:

Great report Tango, DID you get the little Turk?

Tango Bunny · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

No we didn't Lois....but I sure wanted to
_________________

$Christmas countdown banner$

numberplease · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject:

Skyegal · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:25 am Post subject:

Brilliant report Lorraine. sounds like you had a good holiday. xx

_________________