first timer in icmeler..a few questions!

[yidforlife]

Hi first timer in Icmeler,first holiday for me in YEARS and i'm flying on the 13th of July with the other half and her parents and have a few questions about the place before I leave. Some might be stupid to some of you who treat Icmeler as a second home (or first for the lucky ones) but i'm totally clueless as you can tell!

1. I'm 20, but 95% of the time I get asked for I.D in bars/clubs etc here in England . Am I facing the same thing in Icmeler or are the Turkish people more laid back? Will I need I.D for the club, alcohol/cigarettes from the supermarkets etc if so what is accepted? Most people say I'm lucky but it's a curse trust me on that one!!

2. I've heard the markets and some general shopping can get quite intense with people coming up to you and not leaving you alone till you buy something. Whats the most polite way to say you're not interested? Maybe i'm thinking to much and ''no thanks'' is enough but I don't want to offend anyone if possible.

3. I understand from friends you can buy some pretty good looking fakes, clothes, etc. Where is the best place to buy them and what seems to be the best quality items to buy? Some fakes are identical and just as good if not better quality than some ''real'' products! But I don't want a watch that the hands fall off after a week or anything, even if it means paying a little more.

4. I've checked the forcasts for Turkey recently and seen 30 degrees C as the max, but i've been told it can hit 40C on the regular in mid July. Do I take the online forcasts with a pinch of salt and add 10 degrees C or is it not as hot as i've been told? Bearing in mind it hit 28 degrees C recently where I was and thats sunny Ol England!

5. Smoking laws. What exactly are they in Turkey? I understand you can smoke outside but not in a confined space, what about the beach? Do people frown upon it or is it perfectly acceptable as long as you don't throw it away when you're finished?

6. Can I take a plug converter and bring a extention lead from home to use rather than having more than one?

7. How good is the Efes i've been hearing all about??10 days and I can sample some myself!!

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me! Any other pointers/advice for a first timer is welcomed too!

[feefee1970]

i bought 3 watches for £10 and there still going strong, effes can be found in morrisons and weatherspoons im not a lager fan but its needed in the heat no thanks works but if it gets too much walk away
smoking is allowed i think but not in public buildings, most resturant are outside so much the same as here smoking gardens
heat abroad is better than back home sunny but not muggy, Im sure you will get served in bars without any problem,I bring and extention but i would also not plug way too much in or leave when im out just incase

[reesy1959]

Welcome to the forum yidforlife and I am sure you will love Icmeler just like the rest of us.
Your questions dont seem to be stupid to me, infact, you seem like a very sensible 20 year old. Its good to ask questions before visiting a place for the first time and get a feel for it.

1 - You wont have any trouble getting served in the bars in Icmeler, the Turks are so laid back. You wont need ID for cigarettes in the supermarkets etc, but if you want to buy cigarettes, you would be better buying them in your departure airport, on the plane or at Dalaman Airport when you arrive as the cigarettes in the supermarkets tend to be mostly fake ones.

2 - The sellers can be quite intense in the markets and bazaar in Marmaris, but usually a firm no thank you is suffice and just walk away. If you do want to buy something, be prepared to haggle and never offer the asking price. Its a good means to start about half price but then be prepared to go up some. I never pay more than three quarters of the asking price. Have a price in your mind that you are prepared to pay for it at the start. You wont offend anyone if you say a polite no thanks though.

3 - There are some really good fakes and some crappy fakes around, just look around for the better quality ones. In the main square I find Greenhouse is one of the best shops for good quality even if a little more expensive than some of the others. The underground Market in Icmeler is also pretty good for certain items.

4 - I would expect the temperature to be in the 40's and nearer 50 in the direct sunlight in July, it will be HOT HOT HOT. Plenty of high factor sun cream and lots of water between your efes should see you ok.

5 - Smoking laws are due to change soon, but I am not sure of which date. At present you cant smoke in any public buildings, eg Airport etc, but you can still smoke in the restaurants and bars, but most of these are all open or just have a couple of walls up, so it doesnt get smoky like it did at home when we were allowed to smoke. Its not frowned upon to smoke in Turkey, infact the Turks are the heaviest smokers I have ever seen. They tend to light a cigarette though and leave it burning away in the ashtray.

6 - Sure take your own adaptor with you.

7 - Efes is nice, but I can only drink a few as its a little gassy for me, but its a great lager.

Have a super holiday and dont forget to tell us all about it when you return.

[quaker57]

we were there from 15th June for 2 weeks and the temperature hit 47c on a couple of days but we were told this was August weather, but i expect it to be very hot in July, i think the the efes is a lot less gassy then the lagers we drink over here, i prefer the draft to the bottles as it is usually a bit colder, you might think it looks flat because it probably has no head on it but it is ok i'm sure you will enjoy it.

[stevew]

Hi Yidforlife
Welcome to the forum, don`t forget to change only a little money here as you get a better rate in Icmeler. Don`t use change offices, use the supermarkets. Also use sterling to help you barter for a better price. Enjoy

[markbullock]

hi there we have been going for a while now and i found the best genuine fake clothes to be in the underground market place in centre icmeler,last year i was getting exact copies of lyle and scott polos and fred perry there ask £20 for four however a little banter and i was able to get 5 polos for £20,,i am still wearing these now a year on and all wash perfect and cannot be spotted as fakes,,the age thing wont be a problem at all,hope you have a great time,,,and dont forget venice bar its the best in icmeler

[yidforlife]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Some great responses! I was just curious as for me at least Turkey will be a big change from what i'm used too so want it to go as smooth as possible. Can't wait too get there now my mind has been put at rest

[mazz]

Just to add to Reesy's great reply, if you find Efes a bit too gassy, try the Efes Light - just as nice and nowhere near so gassy. They sell it in most bars/restaurants.

Regarding the smoking ban, I remember sitting in my favourite jewellers last September and being offered a glass of wine and a cigarette - when I questioned being allowed to smoke inside the owner opened both doors and said "now is no problem"!!

Guaranteed you'll have the best time out there. Enjoy every moment!

Mazz

[blondie2211]

Hi Yidforlife

I have to agree with Mary & Phil. You wont have any problems with ID as my son is coming up for 17 and he gets served no probs.

The markets can be quite intense and if any Turkish ladies try to shake your other halves or mothers hand - don't let them. They put braclet and things on you and it's very difficult to get them to take them off and get away from them. We have encountered this on many occasions but got very wise very quickly.

There is a watch shop in the underground market in Icmeler, my husband bought a watch there last year and it's still going strong and would recommend him, he's a really nce chap and not pushy at all.

On the whole, Turkish people are very friendly and we haven't encountered too many problems when there. In fact, most would go out their way to help you rather than hassle you.

The temperature does sore very high in July as that is when we always go - I recommend you don't drink too much alcohol through the day, try to have plenty of soft drinks or water so you don't dehydrate.

But just go and have a wonderful holiday and try not to worry about the what if's. It's easy to get caught up in that and it can spoil your holiday. Obviously, keep your wits about you and don't except grapes from strangers as we made this mistake lst year and the guy came running after us and asked for lira and as my dad opened his wallet, the guy put his hand in and helped himself!!

Have a wonderful holiday. We fly out (th and arrive early hours of the 10th and return home on the 24th - so just look for the group of 9 that are a bit mad!!

Audrey

[quaker57]

The efes light is very weak about 3% and it tastes bitter i was'nt keen on it at all.

[juejue]

I think reesy answered every question perfectly. If you go to Tesco they are doing an offer at the moment on a 4 pack of Efes for £3.00. My fridge is rather full at the moment and I am enjoying every drop of them seeing as I am not going to my most favourite place in the world this year You will make fantastic friends, we are still in touch with some after 4 years of visiting and even keep in contact when they go back to their home town. One actually lives in Miami now ! I'm not a big smoker but it is nice to relax and have a ciggie with your Efes and they really don't mind. I don't tend to smoke much in the restaurants because I don't think it is fair on people that don't smoke and even I don't like it if I am eating. They provide large pots on the beach for your finished smokes. You won't have a problem getting served, my 14 year old can even order a beer for us (not for her obviously). Have fun and enjoy the hot hot weather.

[reesy1959]

I think reesy answered every question perfectly. If you go to Tesco they are doing an offer at the moment on a 4 pack of Efes for £3.00. My fridge is rather full at the moment and I am enjoying every drop of them seeing as I am not going to my most favourite place in the world this year .

Must pop to Tesco and get some Efes for Phill.

Good luck in the sweet talking juejue

[269miles]

Hi first timer in Icmeler,first holiday for me in YEARS and i'm flying on the 13th of July with the other half and her parents and have a few questions about the place before I leave. Some might be stupid to some of you who treat Icmeler as a second home (or first for the lucky ones) but i'm totally clueless as you can tell!

1. I'm 20, but 95% of the time I get asked for I.D in bars/clubs etc here in England . Am I facing the same thing in Icmeler or are the Turkish people more laid back? Will I need I.D for the club, alcohol/cigarettes from the supermarkets etc if so what is accepted? Most people say I'm lucky but it's a curse trust me on that one!!

2. I've heard the markets and some general shopping can get quite intense with people coming up to you and not leaving you alone till you buy something. Whats the most polite way to say you're not interested? Maybe i'm thinking to much and ''no thanks'' is enough but I don't want to offend anyone if possible.

3. I understand from friends you can buy some pretty good looking fakes, clothes, etc. Where is the best place to buy them and what seems to be the best quality items to buy? Some fakes are identical and just as good if not better quality than some ''real'' products! But I don't want a watch that the hands fall off after a week or anything, even if it means paying a little more.

4. I've checked the forcasts for Turkey recently and seen 30 degrees C as the max, but i've been told it can hit 40C on the regular in mid July. Do I take the online forcasts with a pinch of salt and add 10 degrees C or is it not as hot as i've been told? Bearing in mind it hit 28 degrees C recently where I was and thats sunny Ol England!

5. Smoking laws. What exactly are they in Turkey? I understand you can smoke outside but not in a confined space, what about the beach? Do people frown upon it or is it perfectly acceptable as long as you don't throw it away when you're finished?

6. Can I take a plug converter and bring a extention lead from home to use rather than having more than one?

7. How good is the Efes i've been hearing all about??10 days and I can sample some myself!!

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me! Any other pointers/advice for a first timer is welcomed too!

Just got back today after my first time and in my experience :

1) I wouldn't even think about it mate !! You've got money and they'ye got beer to sell.

2) The market is fine. It boils down to them trying to get your attention. No hassle there.

3) Save your money. 3 watches for £10 ? What do you expect ?

4) It was around 38C in the shade this week but it was VERY hot yesterday.

5) When you book a sunlounger at the beach you get an ashtray , so no probs there.

6) I wouldn't. I'm no spark but I wouldn't.

7) Some romantic notions about Efes on here I think. After a couple of days I got a bit bored with it. It's very sweet (lots of added sugar) and has rice flour in it so it has an easy drinking flavour that is a bit bland. If you like Bud you'll probably love Efes.

[269miles]

The efes light is very weak about 3% and it tastes bitter i was'nt keen on it at all.

It's 5% and it felt 5% after a couple on an empty stomach . Strangely , I thought it was very sweet . Maybe the heat got to me.

[sheepy]

Efes is one of the better standard lagers out there, and the ones who would say it's too sweet would tend to be either the bearded ale fans, or on the older end for whom if it isn't from a micro brewery in Bavaria, and hasn't had the sacred thigh-slap dance by a local in leather shorts and a feather in his hat over every crate, then it just isn't acceptable
And it certainly isn't bland if you're a lager drinker! (See earlier comment about bearded real ale drinkers)

[andytaj]

I have a beard
I also enjoy real ales

But I also luurrve Efes.

This morning in Morrisons in Reading, Efes was £1.25. Directors bitter was £1.67

Guess which one I bought?

I do believe the term is "No Brainer"

As the sun has crossed the yard arm, I think I may open an Efes very soon.

[quaker57]

269 miles if you look on the bottle you will see that efes light is only 3% the normal efes is 5%.

[quaker57]

And it definately don't taste sweet to me, each to their own i suppose.

[LynnJenny]

just been to top up with efes ha

[muchtyunited]

Great post very informative answers from our learned friends....

we have been to turkey 8 times and have made a few discoveries along the way that dont know if others will agree

1. OH always tips cleaner first or second day as swears we get the cleanest room that way (also tips when we leave)

2.As in life treat people with the respect you would like to be treated with yourself , we have seen some brits over the years be very rude to the turkish people and speak to them in a very offensive manner not nice to see ......

3. We have picked up little bits of turkish along the way always getting the kids to say thankyou in turkish goes down a treat and a friendly merhaba to the bar staff as you make your way to the sunbeds is always greeted with a smile and happy response

4.have a good look around your first week and make your purchases the second when you have had time to have a good look and are a bit tanned you tend to get less hassle anyway

5. we have only once had a bit of a do with the locals at the market when OH took back a tracksuit to the market as they had put the wrong sizes in we had spent ages haggling over price and size think we got them down to far and they werent happy so when our backs were turned put in any ones when Oh and son went back lots of other stallholders joined in and crowded round them he said it was very intimidating wouldnt like to cross their paths again ...... but that was very much a one off and we laugh about it now but in hindsight we would just write it off and not bother

6. regards efes its fantastic but does bag you up after about your 12th day we usually have our first couple by the pool from about 4ish before we retire to our room to get the gladrags on ..... but see people having one with breakfast must be a bit of a wimp just cant do that

most of all have a great time relax enjoy it after all you will be in paradise