most memorable holiday ever

[smc4761]

Just got back from Icmeler, a week late for what was surely my most memorable holiday ever. Unfortunately it was for all the wrong reasons.

We stayed in the old village in beautiful apartments, located at about the highest point in Icmeler so we had superb views acroos the whole town. For the first week Mrs smc4761 and I were the only guests.

We did our usual haunts Captain Bullshit Ozzys and the Cafe Anne for lunches, next to Erdem Cafe. We were last in Icmeler and in each place they remebered us. How do they do that?

Mrs smc4761 had been coughing a lot during the first week and we eventually went to the doctor, who immediately called an ambulance and had her taken to the Caria Hospital. After and overnight stay in there she was given some anti biotics and told to rest. The following day about 8pm she started coughing again and could not breathe. At 8.30 I called an ambulance as she was in real distress. It eventaully turned ap 20 minutes later and took us to Ahu Hetman hospital in Marmaris. She was diagnosed with pneumonia after having a CT scan and spent the next 6 days connected to numerous drips and being given all manner of drugs. The standard of care and the hospital itself was excellent

We were due to go home on Sunday 3 June but the hospial said she was too ill to leave hospital. Got discharged on Monday afternoon and contacted the insurance company. My Uk doctor was to send a consent form to the insurance company and to cut a long story short by Saturday 9 June this still had not been received. The original aprtments we had booked were now full and we had to move apartments. Guess what we were the only ones booked in all week again.Ahe the peace. Special mention to Oscar, the owner of Castle apartments, who was fabulous allowing us to make and receive many phone calls and for running me into Marmaris on numerous occasions

By Friday 8 June when the UK doctor still had not sent the forms, Mrs smc4761 was totally stressed out crying herself to sleep. We had no money and could not leave the country until the insurance was sorted out. I also had enough by this time. For the first time ever in going abroad in 20 years I had taken my credit card. Thank God, I had to pay her very expensive hospital bill, flights home as well as accomadation for the extra week.

Apart from that it was great holiday.

Icmeler is fabulous the people there are so warm genuine and sincere. Many showing a great deal of sympathy to our situation and taking time to ask about Mrs smc4761. One guy in particular, I forget his name, who works at the Honest John Top Shop neae Deja Vu in the village,was fantastic showing real support and genuine concern, spoke to me every day. This attitude and manner shows what makes Turkey so special and why we would never consider anywhere else for our holidays.

As you drive into Icmeler from Marmaris there is a big banner bet ween to street lights from ICR which says, Welcome Home. Despite our worries it really did feel like home.

Will I ever go back to Icmeler, you bet, see you all in October

Stewart

[redrhino12]

Hi Stewart,
Thanks for giving us that report and coming out of that trauma and still wanting to go back to Icmeler.
Hope the Wife is feeling a lot better it must have been a terrible experience for her.
It is a wonderfull thing when strangers rally round and give help and support when we need it the most.

Gene

[Colette]

Stewart what a story I hope your wife is feeling better now

I took my mum to a clinic at the bottom of the market road once and they were also excellent in there care

Lets hope your time in October is more relaxed for you both

[smc4761]

She has fully recovered from the pneumonia, however the stress of the past few days really took its toll. The worry how could we get home, if we had no credit cards.

The genuine compassion shown by complete strangers to us was at times overwhelming and is what makes Icmeler so special

Stewart

[tania]

Hi Stewart

Sorry to hear about your wife's illness. There is nothing worse being ill abroad, scared , and worried. Thanks goodness you were in Icmeler as it seems you got a lot of support from the residents.

That having been said, if I recall you were staying in the Eden Garden, is that right, how did you like it, and Mario, did you get one of his pancakes?

Glad to hear your wife is on the mend.

Tania

[andrea m]

Stewart sorry about your wife but as has been said at least you were in Icmeler and from what you have said you had great support from the locals. And that it hasn't put you off.

Glad your wife is now on the mend and you can look forwrd to your next trip to Icmeler.

Lovely report - Andrea

[julie deex]

Hi Stewart, glad to hear your wife is feeling a little better!
The guy in honest johns topshop was proberly either Jack or James, they are good guys we met them on our first holiday to icmeler a few years ago.
Have a lovely holiday in october!
Julie x

[Carol]

As above Stewart I am so glad your wife is feeling better. It must have been awful for you. 2 years ago on our arrival at our hotel my sister tripped and ended up having to go to hospital. She had broken her arm between her shoulder and elbow and had to have a metal plate put it. She was taken to the Ahu Hetman and the care she got was just brilliant. She had not even reached her room and unpacked when this happened. She was in hospital for the 1st 8 days which was awful for her but as I said the care she got was 1st class. Like youselves the help we got from the Turkish people could not be faulted. Brilliant and caring people. Just thought I would share this with you. Hope your wife continues to feel more like herself,

Carol

[smc4761]

Hi Tania

We were staying at the Sarigul apartments in the village for our first 2 weeks then had to move next door to the Castle apartments.Both are on a slight hill which gives superb views over the town and of the surrounding hills

Stewart

[Sue]

we were ill as soon as we got of the plane with a sore throat and flu symtoms, we first went to the chemist to get some medicines but i developed a really bad cough so i went to the doctors on the market road who were really good, he said that all my airways were blocked and i was having trouble breathing and trying to cough at the same time so i was given a second lot of antiboitics but when i went home i still had this really bad cough, I went to the doctor when i got home and they said that it was the airconditioning on the plane, i was off sick for 2 days and even now a week after we got back i still have this bad cough

[Zog]

Stuart, although you've has a stressful time, your story encompasses all that is good about the Turkish people and their caring and compassionate attitude.
I hope that,next time you go to Icmeler, you have a really fabulous holiday. I also hope that you are exchanging strong words with your insurance company.

[smc4761]

Zog

To be fair to the insurance company they did all they could The problems stem from my UK doctor practise not forwarding the consent form to the insurance company. I have sent off a letter of compaint to my local health board and I am looking forward to their response.

I contacted the insurance claims company yesterday and the insurance claim form arrived this morning, so a good service from them so far

Stewart

[Zog]

Pleased to hear that Stewart, all too often insurance companies are fast to take your money but slow when it comes to claims, you seem to have a good one there. Mind if I ask who it is ?

[smc4761]

Hi Zog

The insurance company I am using is Atlas Direct

Stewart

[Sue]

i am with the halifax and the day we got back we rang to get a form to fill in and they said there was no need just told them how much my medical expenses where and they put it straight in the bank, they did say to keep my receipts for a month