I dont think I can put into words what we all think about
Icmeler but I will try.
Icmeler is simply one of the most beautiful places we have ever had the pleasure to visit and what makes it so much more special is the wonderful Turkish people. Never has anywhere made us feel more welcome than here they truly are magnificent.
We ate out at quite a few places, Famous Kitchen being the first. There we met Yvonne who was English and gave us some great tips on just about anything we could throw at her!! We had a wonderful meal in there with a free bottle of wine so thanks Yvonne!!
Next night we tried the Taj Mahal. Fancy, going to Turkey and eating at an Indian restaurant!! Food there that night was superb, Kieran (14) who is most picky loved it and wanted to eat there every night! We did venture back there a second time though just to keep him happy, again food wonderful. Whole meal with around 3 drinks each cost approx £30.
Then we discovered Prince, which is next door to
Hotel Efendi. There we spent the next 9 or 10 nights and got to know all of the wonderful staff who made us laugh so much. Omit is the DJ go look out for him on his love boat DJ stand! Kazim who oversees everything is amazing, he made sure that whatever and I mean whatever Kieran wanted to eat the chef made, for that I am eternally grateful! I fancied some plain food and they especially made me a baked potato with baked beans!! Hakan was well just Hakan, charming, full of information and one of the most wonderful people we have ever met. John had toothache and he was ready to drop everything to take him to a dentist in Marmaris, no way would a waiter do that in the UK. Yalcin, Ali, Koray, Mustafa were all amazing too, as are each and every member of staff, Ali is a first class dancer, amazing. They do a Turkish night on a Thursday for 25 lire each which includes a beautiful BBQ with lots and lots of food, one drink and all the entertainment. Get a good table and sit back and enjoy the show of Belly Dancers, Break Dancers, Ricky Martin, Tina Turner, a raffle and dancing. Money well spent and a great night. We never stopped laughing at some points, go see it and you will know what I mean!
Another wonderful restaurant was Dream Boys. Tunch looked after us and again a wonderful night. The waiter who delivers your cocktails does so in a very clever way of balancing them on his head! A few days later we were out walking in the blazing sun, the boss of Dream Boys invited us in to drink cold apple tea, when we had finished we went to leave a tip and he would not hear of it, this was quite simply a gesture of kindness to allow us some shade. What can I say.
One night we had a power cut, it took a few seconds for the various generators to kick in, some restaurants used their own means and drove their cars right up onto the pavements with full beams to light up their diners so that they could see! A truly amusing sight.
You must find Ali Baba the camel up by the cash machines he is 10 lire to sit on and go for a little ride.
I had a manicure twice whilst there, sadly whilst sunbathing the heat melted the first lot so I had to return a second time. £5 and an amazing job she does too. £2 for a mans shave, John looked 10 years younger!
We did a few trips, quad bikes were fun, fishing was brilliant and the lazy day boat trip is exactly that.
The beach is beautiful, 70p gets you a sunbed for the whole day and the use of toilets and a shower. We arrived around 10.30am and got sunbeds right at the shore. Nice to take down some bread to throw in for the fish who will come right to the shore edge to take it and as the sea is as clean as is possible you can stand and watch them.
We were warned about "hassle" and I use that word loosley. All the restaurant/shop/bar owners are trying to do is to get you into their places. They are neither rude nor nasty, stop to talk to them, take their menus and say no thank you maybe another time, dont walk past and ignore them or be rude, they want you in their place to look after you!!! and of course youre money but you know what I mean! And whatever you do, do not say "tomorrow night" as if you do and you dont go and walk past believe you me, they never ever forget! Dont commit but enjoy the banter.
Now onto shopping, my favourite. I bought 5 most beautiful leather bags, ranging from £6 to £16. In the UK I reckon they are worth about £50-£75. Shop around and haggle as that is so much fun! Jewellery is beautiful too and I got some nice pieces, something for everyone. There are lots of clothes shops all stocking designer names. Go from shop to shop as you will get the best deal and more for your money that way.
I could go on and on about Icmeler, it is somewhere we have found that we adore. You will never meet people like this anywhere else they are truly unique. We cant wait to return and have to say that whoever did say we would fall in love with the place was so very right.
Allison 33, John 35, Kieran 14