Turkey - Antalya

 

It's been a year since we indulged in any leisurely holidays for 2023, except for a school holiday break in India from the end of July to the end of August. Throughout the year, our focus was on planning a relocation in preparation for the boys' start of secondary school. Relocating is a challenging endeavor that takes a toll on the family, but I'll save that topic for another blog post. While most of our friends had already booked holidays to Egypt for the Christmas break back in June itself, we hesitated due to the uncertainty of our relocation plans, which were not finalized until September.

Once we knew the relocation would happen by a certain date, the Israel and Gaza war erupted, causing us to postpone booking the holiday to join our friends. Additionally, our holiday plans in December were further delayed as Arjun had a medical issue, and we were awaiting consultation from specialists. By the time we received a consultation and decided on the next steps for Arjun's condition, it was the third week of December and there was no availability at our friends' resort.

With the commitment to a Christmas lunch at our friends' house and a New Year Party at ours, we had a narrow window of opportunity for a holiday from the 26th to the 30th of December. With these dates in mind, we began searching for a last-minute holiday destination that offered some sunshine, had no visa requirements, and fit within our budget.

Ultimately, we chose Antalya, Turkey, for our holiday from the 26th to the 30th of December, and surprisingly, we booked the trip on the 23rd of December! Traveling light with just one backpack each, we embarked on our journey with a flight from Gatwick Airport.

Day 1 - 26th of December 2023

We rose early at 7 AM and departed from home around 9 AM, heading to Gatwick Airport for our 12:50 PM Whizz Air flight. Despite a few detours along the way to Gatwick Airport Long Stay Park, we managed to stay on schedule. At the airport, we enjoyed a light lunch and eagerly anticipated boarding our flight. The flight, initially scheduled to arrive at Antalya Airport by 8:20 PM, exceeded expectations by landing at 7:40 PM. A smooth immigration process and a swift airport taxi transfer facilitated our early arrival at Resort Ramada by 8:15 PM.

Upon check-in, we discovered that food was still being served, prompting us to swiftly drop off our luggage in the room and head to a delightful buffet dinner. The dinner included a diverse array of dishes, salads, and desserts, providing a satisfying culinary experience. After a joyful meal, we returned to our room to explore our room amenities.

Day 2 - 27th of December 2023

Opted for a leisurely day within the resort, basking in the sunshine, enjoying the swimming pool, and partaking in various activities on the premises. The day commenced with a hearty breakfast, followed by a refreshing dip in the pool. As midday approached, we indulged in a delicious lunch and engaged in resort activities like Table Tennis and Darts. Taking advantage of the sunny weather, we spent quality time soaking up the sun.

Around 4 PM, we decided to venture beyond the resort and took a leisurely stroll along a nearby beach. However, the beach's black sand and considerable depth didn't captivate us for long. After a brief visit, we returned to the hotel and settled into the lounge for dinner. Following the evening meal, we enjoyed some family TV time, with our boys immersing themselves in a Pokémon game before drifting off to sleep.

Day 3 - 28th of December

Embarking on another day of adventure in Turkey, we opted for sightseeing afternoon following a buffet lunch at our resort. The swimming pool, though inviting, seemed a bit deep for my liking, yet the enthusiasm of our boys necessitated pool time before going sightseeing. Therefore, we planned our exploration for the afternoon. While the boys enjoyed the pool under their father's supervision, I took the initiative to book a taxi for our excursion to the old town, including a brief stop at the enchanting Lower Düden Waterfall.

The visit to Lower Düden Waterfall proved to be a tranquil and uncrowded experience, offering captivating views and a serenely soothing sea below. Our leisurely stroll around the adjacent park was made playful by our boys' quiz games, turning a simple walk into a delightful family activity. After immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the waterfall, our taxi seamlessly transitioned us to the old town, a half-hour journey that surprisingly echoed the familiar streets of Bangalore, reminiscent of MG Road and Commercial Street. Notably, the abundance of dental clinics amusingly triggered memories of reading Google News about "Turkey Teeth."

Upon our arrival at the Old Town around 2 PM, our taxi driver set a point for our return at 6 PM. The picturesque streets of the old town, adorned with artistic charm, beckoned us with cozy restaurants and fishmongers. Our leisurely exploration led us to a cliffside perch where we awaited the mesmerizing sunset. Treating the boys to ice cream added sweetness to the experience, although they preferred pool time.

Old Town (Kaleici)

In a small local shop where the boys indulged in ice cream, I ventured to taste Turkish-specific coffee, only to find it disappointingly dark and undrinkable, leading to the humorous act of discarding my 2-euro coffee. To keep the boys engaged, they entertained themselves with Pokemon cards, a clever twist humorously dubbed "Pokemon Go" by Satty.

Pokemon Go

As the sun set and we traversed approximately 2 kilometers on foot, we retraced our steps to the agreed meeting point with the taxi driver. Though the taxi arrived late by 8 minutes, we forgave the delay, understanding the nuances of local traffic. Our waiting area was adorned with fully grown orange trees, providing unexpected amusement as the boys eagerly anticipated the fate of a fallen orange on the road, predicting its destiny amid passing vehicles. Much to their amusement, the orange had several close calls before meeting its fate just as we prepared to board the taxi.

The return journey to our resort was a sensory delight, with the taxi adorned in artistic blue lights, setting the stage for a jovial atmosphere filled with jokes and laughter. Back at the resort, a refreshing cocktail, a relaxing bath, and a sumptuous dinner concluded our day of exploration, creating cherished memories of our Turkish escapade.

Day 4 - 29th of December

On this day, we opted for a leisurely day indoors, fully indulging in the resort's amenities. Following a delightful breakfast, the boys headed to the swimming pool accompanied by Satty, while I chose to hit the gym. During the swimming, Arjun began experiencing stitches which made him rush to the room. I swiftly gave him a bath and fed him his favorite noodles, grated carrots, and some desserts, soon he drifted to sleep.

I waited for Anirudh and Satty to return from their lunch to the room and then headed to my lunch. After Arjun's rejuvenating nap, he felt much better, prompting us to embark on an afternoon stroll through the local roads to procure a souvenir. Covering a distance of 3 km, we eventually purchased a fridge magnet, while the boys bought a genie lamp and Turkish sweets. Satty expressed interest in experiencing a Tunektepe cable car ride the next day, so we inquired with various agents along our walking route. Despite most being steeply priced, we managed to secure a reasonably priced booking for a cable car visit at 10 AM the following day from a trustworthy agent. To finalize the reservation, we paid the required deposit, leaving Satty delighted at finding an honest and reasonable agent.

Upon our return from the stroll with our plans set for the next day, we headed back to the restaurant for a regular dinner. The walking route exposed us to numerous shopping malls reminiscent of Bangalore city, though I resisted the salespeople's attempts to entice passersby into purchases.

Day 5 - 30th of December

Our final day in Turkey but our return flight was in the late evening. After packing our belongings, indulging in the final hearty buffet breakfast, and checking out, we waited for our taxi to the cable car. We stored our luggage in the hotel's somewhat precarious luggage room, opting to carry essential items with us for the cable car journey.

However, our plans hit a snag when the pre-arranged car failed to show up on time, delaying us by 20 minutes. To add to our dismay, Satty's purportedly honest agent deceived us by sending a standard car instead of the agreed-upon spacious taxi. I was faced with a decision to proceed or not, I deferred to Satty, suggesting that if the agent deceived us, let karma deal with him, not us.

The journey to the cable car location took us past the Turkey airport, a stadium, and encountered some armed individuals along the way. Our taxi fare included tickets for the cable car, and despite the initially intimidating queue, we found ourselves the sole occupants of our car. Overcoming my fear of heights, we ascended to the hilltop in 14-16 minutes, greeted by a breathtaking mountain view with few tourists around. Satty and I savored cappuccinos, while the boys fell for some Turkish pranks involving ice cream.

Following some enjoyable moments at the summit, where we immortalized our memories in a photo booth, we began our descent on the cable car journey. On our descent journey in the cable car, we met two visitors from Manchester which was surprising. Got into our parked taxi and headed back to the resort. On the way back, we saw an attractive upside-down house and decided to make a brief visit, finding it small yet intriguing. By 3 PM, we were back at the hotel, where lunch was still being served. Had a stomach full of lunch reserving for the dinner. Kids and Satty engaged in various activities, including playing with some kittens.

Awaiting our taxi transport to the airport, we were pleased to find a comfortable and desirable taxi for our journey. The airport check-in queue proved extensive and frustratingly slow. The airline staff enforced strict regulations, penalizing those with oversized baggage. Fortunately, we escaped any fines, and the boarding process proceeded smoothly.

As we touched down in the UK, it was almost the 31st of December. Retrieving our parked car, we reached home around 1 AM, gearing up for the upcoming New Year celebration.

Some facts about Turkey:

• Turkey is a transcontinental country, straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
• Ankara is the capital of Turkey, while Istanbul is its largest city and cultural and economic center.
• The official language is Turkish
• Turkey has a rich history, with its roots going back to ancient civilizations such as the Hittites, Phrygians, and Urartians. Later, it became the center of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire.
• Formerly known as Byzantium and later Constantinople, Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents, Europe and Asia, separated by the Bosporus Strait.
• Turkish cuisine is renowned for its diverse and flavorful dishes, including kebabs, baklava, Turkish delight, and a variety of mezze (appetizers).
• Turkish Tea is an integral part of Turkish culture. The country has a strong tea-drinking tradition, and Turkish tea is typically served in small glasses.
• The population of Turkey is around 83 million
• The Turkish economy is primarily driven by tourism, textiles, manufacturing, and the automotive industry.