Raw Travel

One of the locals showing off!

Thats me on the left! Duh!

My first visit to Turkey was in the 70's where I was treated to having my Volkswagen Camping bus hi-jacked by 3 thugs (NOT Turks!) in Istanbul. I hated the place and could not make head or tail of the language and therefore found it infuriating! I was immediately accused by the Turkish Police of selling the vehicle and thrown into a cell overnight. The British Consulate freed me the next day when my vehicle was recovered in a suburb. Not having learnt my lesson, I then picked up 4 hitchhikers (2 Dutch , 1 South African and 1 Swiss) and the intention was to share the petrol and travel costs between us going overland to India.
To cut a very long story short, it was November and once you reach the Taurus mountains it was about -20 degrees!And plenty of snow everywhere! The vehicle slipped off a road and overturned leaving me unconscious in a place called Sivas.I awoke to find the Sivas police pulling me out of the vehicle and was wearing a leather coat the Dutch couple were carrying that had a note inside the pocket to say ' Sorry but you need this coat in this weather and we need some of your money, you are ok and we will inform the local police that we crashed.We both wish you well!' Thanks! Whoever you are! It was a fair exchange as I didnt have much money anyway!! lol
To cut a very very long story short, I ended up in Ankara and got a job teaching English at the Middle east technical University working in the 'Hazirlik Okul'( prep school).It lasted for 2 years! And thereon Turkey became a magical place for me as I learned the language so well that I could pass for a Turk!It was also the place where I really did fall in love for the very first time with a very beautiful Turkish girl ( Eser Bozoklar..Wherever you are.....Hello!!!)

SIDE
When I first visited Antalya I went to a little place called Side, which consisted of just one lokanta (restaurant) and 1 pansyion! Today there is a mass of Holiday hotels stretching miles! Wish I had taken up the offer of buying one in 1982 for £15,000!! Side is about 80Km from the Airport at Antalya and you can either take a Taxi which should cost you no more than about £15. Ok if there are 4 of you but otherwise go to the bus station and get a ticket from there (including refreshments and a snack!) for about £2.
Side today is a tourist trap with plenty of wily Turks to relieve you of any Lira you may have in your pocket. There are constant arm pulling and cajoling you to enter various shops to buy inferior merchandise at vastly inflated prices! In fact it can be very annoying and may stretch your temper to extremes at times when you are accosted about 60 times within a stretch of 200 yards .Best not to lose your temper though and politely walk away while being abused in Turkish and English too as all of them speak it!! Lol
Just nod your head while raising your eyebrows at the attackers and say 'YOKE!'......they will soon leave you alone as they think you can speak Turkish and know they are trying to con you! Lol
There are 2 main beaches in Side and the better one for swimming and snorkelling is 'Buyuk Plage' (Big Beach) where the water is superb and if you are clever enough to take a little bread in with you, hordes of fish will eat out of your hands!
The water is very calm and very warm!! It is one of my most favourite places in the world for swimming and relaxing on the beach.
An attended sunbed will cost you about £2 for the entire day and you will be waited upon and brought cold drinks and food throughout the day at any time you want to click your fingers!! Lol
Side also has a good museum which has the ‘Three Graces’ quite a famous Roman piece and also the Roman Arena from which you can get panoramic views of the Town.
If you want to shop for bargains, go to Manavghat about 5 miles away in a Dolmus, a communal taxivan which costs 50p. There are many markets there but be careful of the watch sellers as they will not only sell you fakes (acceptable) but even worse may accuse you of stealing as well! Be careful!

The only place I now like in SIDE is the Buyuk Plage as there if you close your eyes, the sound of the sea and the heat of the sun has not changed over the years. Side is ok for a few days as the location is good for hiring a car and exploring but best to move on to Alanya or Antalya itself which is a very beautiful city, especially the harbour.

Hi ! I have travelled all over the World and intend to let you know the ins and outs of cheap travel and special places to visit!
Also the danger spots, where to watch out for yourself and where not to
Carry any money, cameras etc!!

Tomorrow I will write about one of my favourite places in the world....Antalya in Turkey.

Laid bare and uncut without anything hidden. naughty parts and nice parts and everything you probably didnt know! Hope they let me back! lol