Diamond Jubilee Party Girls at Villa Meliha June 10th
It is truly a lovely time to be here, the garden is looking more mature now, the trees are in bloom and figs,apricots and lemons are appearing. The birds, insects and frogs are bursting with song and in harmony with that lovely, refreshing sea breeze!
OK! The airport road from Dalaman is BUMPY but we are assured that when all the road works are complete, the route will be smoother and swifter in future. If, like us, you endured the dreaded Thomas Cook ‘Red-eye’ you will be so delighted to wake up in such rural tranquillity. OK, there is a new mosque nearby and you may hear the Imam calling to prayer in the early hours, accompanied by the cockerel at our neighbours’ farm but otherwise it is soooooooo peaceful.
What’s new at the Villa this year?
We have just added a new kosk to the villa, next to the BBQ and you are most welcome to use our lovely new cushions and make it into a relaxing open-air chillax house, especially to escape from the sun. Please place wet bottoms on towels if you have been swimming and return cushions to under the stairs before you leave.
We have also added slats to the pergola adjoining the rear of the house for the bougainvillea to grow over and provide more shade.
Nature
You may be lucky enough to see the stork family. They are nesting in a tree just over the little bridge that leads into the farm yard in front of the villa. The tree - eucalyptus I think, is on the left just before you reach the road. I found a gecko in my bedroom this morning - quite small and a lovely shade of yellow! You will hear frogs croaking especially at night and do not be surprised to find turtles in the nearby irrigation channels.
Dalyan 2012
Quite a few new restaurants and bars opened up this year. You will be spoilt for choice. Apparently the villages ‘top chef’ is at the Blue Bistro nr the mosque square. He has completely redesigned the restaurant’s kitchen and it is very impressive. We had an excellent meal there. It was also a real pleasure to lunch at the Sahil restaurant overlooking the rock tombs. The food there is a visual feast ! Askin’s bar continues to be a favourite. This is in the main street before the school. Askin is a lovable rascal and the bar great for wi-fi, English TV and simply watching the world float by.
Shopping!
Where do we start? Where will it all end !!! We LOVED the new Latika boutique café opposite the school. A great place to park hubbies with a drink whilst you have a bit try on. We were most surprised when opening one curtain to find it contained a male mannequin torso and a cat with new-born kitten. Could only happen in Dalyan! Very arty very pretty clothes and gifts.
Saturday is market day but if you miss this then you can get a boat trip on Monday to the Kosges market across the lake.
Our bargains every year are the GAWJUS fake sandals for a fiver.
Park hubby and fruit n veg purchases at the Adilan café for a Turkish brekky and an EFEs beer whilst you trawl for FUN bargains
Pampering!
We loved the Mimi beauty home just up from Migros, having enjoyed a medical full body massage we were all set up to enjoy an evening out on the town, starting at Jifs café - opposite Migros -- waiters entertained us with their dancing- they have sports TV and a lovely walled garden restaurant - great place for kids. Wi-fi too.
Kids ?
Large or small they will love the mud baths boat trip, the river taxi to the beach, the Turtle hospital at the road end of the beach accessible by car or local bus from nr Tourist info centre or the crab and fishing
boat trip or better still the early morning trip to feed the Loggerhead turtles. If you want to really wear them out the Ancient city of Kaunos on the other side of the river is a must - reached by rowing boat at the rear of the school.
One travel agent in the high street does a trip to Fethiye aqua park (Tuesdays with Yesil travel) or there is an even bigger one at Marmaris.
Nightlife
We have it on good authority that the Sweet 16 disco is under new management and they will play your own CD,s !
Live Music at the Jazz bar - lovely resident duo! or at the far end of the village opposite the Rock bar you can join in with the band on tambourine at the cool trendy Sunray lounge and boogy on down.
STOP PRESS
We are now in our 5th year and we have had record bookings this year, many of which were made in the Autumn of 2011. It is lovely to have repeat bookings as these are made by people who really look after the villa as though it it their own home. One family is spending their 3rd summer holiday here. If you want to book for 2013, let us know asap and we will simply use your refundable deposit (£200) to secure your booking for 2013.
October 2011 6th November 2011
What have we got in common with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks?
We all love messing around on boats in Dalyan and Gocek
Before going to the Greek islands with their wives and children, they visited Kuşadası and then Dalyan. They spent their holiday in Steven Spielberg's 86-meter-long 'Seven Seas' super-luxury yacht which is ranked as the 49th largest in the world. They visited the ancient ruins of Kaunos and Dalyan's therapeutic mud baths.
The highlight of my week was a superb 3 1/2 hr hike over into Ecincik bay from Chandres where we we deposited and retrieved by Kemal (owner of Dalyan's Sahil restaurant) in his river boat. The walk took us up to the top of the cliffs through pine forests and the views were to die for. Our guide was Johny 'Walker' an avid Dalyan hiker who led us along some quite treacherous paths re lose stones with the odd collapsed tree to climb over but it was sheer magic and the descent down into Ecinick marina seduced us with stunning views sparkling turquoise waters to splash around in at the end of of our journey. Even more welcoming were the aromas of Kemal's BBQ wafting uphill (and of course the prospect of the customary bottle of Efes to wash it down with afterwards always a treat). Watch this space as we are organising a return for Easter 2012 for nature (and Efes lovers) :) x
A visit to Dalyan is not complete without a visit to Iztuzu beach by boat. I met a charming Dutch couple who were going to walk the length of the beach and then hop on the Dolmus (local bus)at the other end. Another lovely walk which takes about an hour or so and at this end you can visit the Turtle hospital and museum and on the way back soak in the magnificent views of the beach from Gokbel.
Askin asked me to mention his bar to our Villa guests. Go to Askin's in the main street for a coffee or something stonger with your lap-top and watch the world go by. Here you can meet the locals and enjoy a bit of banter or a game of backgammon. Askin is a great interpreter. Don't be fooled - he speaks excellent English. When we first met we conducted a conversation in sign language for ages before he let on. If you are a single female he may even introduce you to his Uncle who actually does not speak English - but he is single too apparently and a jolly chap (who speaks a smattering of german). So there Askin you have a mention. And PS I owe u for a G+T and please do not try to make me drink whisky next time! x
June 2011 16th June 2011
My holiday at Villa Meliha June 2011
This was my third visit to Dalyan and I keep finding another delightful nugget or two. The villa is stunning and surrounded by an area where you have nothing much more to do than choose what to eat and drink and visit wonderful places, Another visit full of surprises and enjoyment which was made even better by finding yet more wonderful places to visit. My own particular favourites are the Golbasi Restaurant and the Hidden Garden and the Hamam at the BC Spa.
Penny H, Surrey UK
Dalyan Babes on Tour 13th June 2011
Dear Friends of Villa Meliha, Another fabulous Whitsun week for the Dalyan babes. For some it is the 4th or 5th year running! And one of our babes celebrates her 6th visit to Villa Meliha. There is just no keeping her away. One of the highlights this year was a visit to the new BC SPa hotel for a Hamam, steam, sauna and massage. Has to be the biggest sauna the girls have ever seen - complete with gianta plasma screen (bit unecessary we thought!) THE MASSAGES were to die for girls. One lady went back the next day for seconds! The week would not have been complete without the 12 island cruise - and of course our synchronised water ballet - a bit of a tradition as are Suzie's frozen G+T's. Our favourite eateries this year were the Hidden Garden - had to go there twice (gorgeous food and even more gorgeous waiters!). A sing song at Leon,s and the Sofra bar - oh and several b.day parties complete with sparkling cocktails, cake, exploding confetti and lovely singing waiters! FAB live music and dancing at the Sun Ray lounge and yours truly on the bongos at the Rock Bar. Mufla has not been the same since. A gorgeous turkish breakie at the Golbasi was paradise and the ducks and turtles enjoyed what little left overs we left! Askins bar was our favourite place to sit and watch the world go round and get up to untold mischief. Shopping favourites were Elvis's for the handbags, the market for the pretty 10 lira sandals and the boot shop had boots to die for dahlings!
Villa Meliha is looking lovely now, the fruit trees growing taller and becoming more established. Wish we were going out later in the season to sample the figs, pomegranates, oranges, nectarines, peaches, plums and lemons! Love Judy and gang x x x
Duracell Bunnies do Dalyan 2nd September 2009
Whitsun 09 A fantastic week for 6 busy middle age ladies, to chill, make new friends and behave like school girls again. Yes I am referring to the 12 island gulet cruise from Gocek where we performed our signature synchronised ballet amidst ecstatic giggles as we ungracefully splashed around like demented dolphins. The swinging from the rope into the sea tarzan-style just added to the bliss. Favourites were the Sahil restaurant as always and the Golbasi , both beautiful riverside spots and wonderful sea-food. A new discovery was the Akkaya garden restaurant near Dalaman where you dine up in the trees in giant birds-nests as you gaze down at the beautiful tropical water gardens. www.akkayagarden.com
Another favourite was the Sun-ray lounge in Dalyan, a trendy cool live music venue where you can dance the night away overlooking the Dalyan river. www.sunray-lounge.com . The Duracell bunnies (as we were christended by other passengers on the cruise) had a little reunion in Cheltenham recently and plan to do the same again next year. Sheer bliss!!!!
Oct/Nov 08 7th November 2008
Just the two of us this time. It was time to prepare the villa for the winter - oiling external light fittings, painting a few railings and liasing with the gardeners. However we did have time for some exploring on our hired Honda Beat which is a great way to discover hidden, deserted bays and the beautiful pine forests up in the mountains with only the goats and bees for company. We visited Sarigerme to check out water sports for next summer and the new Hilton Resort and Golf development which are coming on a treat. The Sarigerme beach area is lovely and there is a sweet little nature park nearby.
We also discovered a wonderful new restaurant up in the hills above Dalaman. The tables are in giant birds nests up in the trees overlooking a waterfall and beautifully cultivated tropical gardens. Even the loos have a natural waterfall and garden in them! We went with a large gang and enjoyed a lovely sing-song together after our lovely meal. the restaurant is called The Akkaya and is opposite the turning for Dalaman coming from the Orteca direction. A must !!!!
Summer 08 4th November 2008
August 08
A wonderful two weeks with visits from Jake and daughter Olivia and Fiona and daughter Louisa. We hired mopeds and did some exploring high up in the pine forests where we discovered some fabulous views from the radar tower and the sunset terrace cafe. We also enjoyed a hilarious boat trip to Ekincik bay - Captain Thomas the boat owner proved to be extremely versatile - piloting the river boat out at sea through some choppy little coves and then finally preparing us a wonderful BBQ lunch. I was in extremis through most of the trip as I was nursing a jelly fish sting and then to add insult to injury I bit inot ared hot chilly pepper! Ouch. Thomas was also very generous with his Raki including sharing it with other boat captains! After the boat trip we endured a rather hair-raising drive back home - yes Thomas was driving! We enjoyed some FAB meals out including a birthday party for Louisa (24) at the Metin pide and pizza. She had a great cake with not a candle but a rocket on it - health and safety not the same in Turkey! We also had a try of the hubble bubble ( not so keen on the banana flavour). Matt and Craig had planned on a trip to Marmaris (Dalyan a bit tame for them) but having the girls for company eemed to make holidaying with the parents less gruelling! There is a great new live music venue in Dalyan called the sun-ray lounge which is very trendy - lovely music too.
Quote of the holiday 'Don't go to Australia you have got everything you need here in Turkey'. Jake Howard (an aussie).
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