Just Got Back

[robert123]

Returned last night after another great Icmeler holiday (stayed at non ICR property so will not give details)

A few changes to the resort, but still as good, the weather was fantastic wall to wall sunshine and very warm.

To cut to the chase favourite restaurants this year, Chef, Love Boat, Villa Kontes (by the canal) Romance Palace. Least favourite and very disappointing was Friends (near the cash machines) it was good last year I guess a year is long time, I think it has changed ownership.

Market was the same usual rubbish fakes, why do they not take a leaf out of Primarks book and just copy the latest cat walk clothes and bags, there are not many people who want to be seen with hand bags and clothing with names all over them, the quality is good in the main, but they do need to do more research if they wish to sell more, as for cheaper than Primark the often used shout, it isn’t, and neither are the clothes shops, to many obviously fake goods, good for the chavs but not your discerning fasionitas! I lost count of the number of people who said they would love to buy genuine quality goods, but would not be see dead with the fakes.

Spent a lot more time at the beach this year, which we much prefer, we used the beach in front of Coco Beach Bar, the beach guy Lionel is great (not his real name but he thinks he looks like Lionel Messee the footballer. Hired a speed boat which was great fun, and tried the ringos. A few boats trips jeep safari,

Prices were not much different than last year, a large beer ranging from YTL 2.50 to 4.00, which is good value, it all depends where you go.

Many of my Turkish friends told me they have had a pretty poor season this year, it as certainly not as busy as last year, and walking past some places it’s hard to see how they will survive, the best places where pretty much full every night. One thing I did notice was the number of places putting on a waiter show, now done well it can be very entertaining, but done bad it is cringe worthy, we walked past a Chinese place one night, there were four people in and two waiters giving their all, it was quite a sad sight.

Drove through Marmaris which is (IMO) a pretty dreadful place, and judging by the price boards more expensive than Icmeler!

All in all a great holiday, be back next year!

[juneflo]

I agree about the designer fakes robert. my daughter stocks up on everyday bags, I get some T-shirts for my sons for hanging round but also get some better stuff from Tahir and Savas's shops - buying the next size up pays in the long run. People new to Turkey think they're going to get designer wear for a fraction of the price when really it is the same stuff but it's all part of the holiday experience.

I liked the beach by coco beach too, not as busy - didn't know the guy's name but yes, he's really nice. We'll be execting some photos of those activities now you've mentioned them!

So you tasted Elvis's food at the Chef Restaurant, he's a magic chef. Villa Kontes was quite when we were there in june, I liked to get a late night kebab there. I know what you mean about the waiter shows - they work so so hard to get customers in and must be shattered at the end of the night. Personally I dislike the break dancing - I can be in awe at the technique but when they try to add a bit of a story it's naff.

So - a day to unpack, anotehr to unwind - pictures on the site by Wednsday????

[robert123]

So - a day to unpack, anotehr to unwind - pictures on the site by Wednsday???

Will try June

Chef is a great place it's always busy.

We had lunch at Coco beach which was very good value

Also went to Deniz Kapsi bar one night with some friends who were over for a week, the Karaoke was funny, but they spoilt it with endless euro pop and house music, if there is one thing I would change in Turkey is the bloody music, the Turkish stuff is OK, but the relentless boom boom music is annoying sometimes, went to that Oscars bar one night could not hear yourself , some boat trips also play it which makes me want to jump in the sea more often (rant over)

[Colette]

Welcome back Robert

I like Cocoa Beach as well. Lovely place for lunch and a beer and people watching.

Glad you had a good time mate

[jeffg]

wife and i spent most lunch times in cocoa and the only thing about the front guy that looks like messi is his hair,but as colette says great place for a drink and to people watch,we return on 4th sept and most lunch times after that will be found in cocoa beach, cant wait