Our Week in Side Turkey

Hi there,

Well this year we took a quick trip to Turkey for a week at the beach.  For those of you that live in California, Turkey is like running down to Mexico for a week, without the drug gangs trying to kill you.  The hotel where we stayed is hands down my favorite hotel from anywhere I have traveled.  The people of Turkey know how to provide first class service from cleanliness to the food, everything is first rate.  Our hotel, Crystal Sunrise Queen Luxury Resort and Spa is located on the beach in Side, Turkey.  The "Turkish Riviera".  This was our second visit to the hotel but we were definitely "newbys" because there were people there who had been there 40 times (extreme but true).  So with that said, here are our pics from the week.   We went there white and not soooo fat and came back brown and REALLY fat from the "all inclusive".

A little airport.  What is fun is seeing names of Airlines that you have never heard of and wondering where they fly too.  Lots of Russians come to Turkey for vacation so lots of unpronounceable names.

It was really hot when we arrived at 9am.  Waiting for our mini van to take us to the hotel.

This is typical Turkey.  On the way to our hotel, our driver had to stop for a tea break.  Strangely enough, it happened to be at a store with LOTS of souvenirs and food from Turkey.  This also happened on our way back to airport.  Hey, when in Rome.....  Oh and just so you know that is orange juice in my cup.  The beer came later.

OK, the next few pictures are of our hotel.  It is fabulous because there is a few of the ocean from everywhere.

One of seven pools.  This is the adults only pool. 

Our view of the breakfast and dinner areas.  The lunch buffet is down by the beach.

Our room.  Very clean.

Everyday the beds were different.  On the sides here are hearts.... 

View from our balcony.  This is considered a room with a partial ocean view.  That is the Mediterranean Sea.

Again, our view.

This is the lunch buffet area.  That is a little waterfall for decoration.  When you look the other way, it is once again a beautiful view of the ocean.

One of the many waiters and waitresses at this hotel.  As you can imagine, you get your favorites by the end of the week.  This woman wanted me to take her picture.  She says that she wants to be in everyone's vacation pictures.

I am not sure if this is the first of many beers. 

The best part about Turkey is nobody cares what you look like.  Everyone is there to relax and have a good time.  There is a constant parade of people walking up and down the beach for miles so there is always something to watch.

No big waves and lots of warm beautiful water.

No I don't have a perm, I have my Aunt Carol's hair!  The more humid, the curlier.

Come on in, the water is perfect.

OK, sometimes you can be too brown and too old to go topless!

On our 9th anniversary, we went parasailing.  My second time and Wolfgang's first time.  It was wonderful.

Yes these were the men in control of our lives.

Up we went

Higher and higher.

Before the pull you back on the boat, they dip your feet in the water.

The fabulous couple.

This is the equivalent to about 110°F.  Hot but hey, all you have to do is jump in the water.  This was at 12:00pm.

The dinner area before everyone started to show up for Turkish Night.  Everyday, there is different food for dinner.  Alway fresh fish that the cook for you while you wait or roasted Chicken, etc.  The fruit is fabulous.  I think I ate about three large watermelons while I was there.  You sit outside everywhere and again, from everywhere is a view.

No not pirate ships, day cruisers.  These are the ships they use for island and coastal tours.

OK, here we have our animals, lizards.  Yes, REALLY big guys.

There is a new walkway along the beach to Side.  A fantastic old town in itself but also a lot of cultural sites as well.

We did the cultural thing last time, this time SHOPPING!

Last time we were in Turkey, our friend Ella bought some beautiful lamps for her garden.  This time, I bought a lamp for our wintergarden.  This is the store where we bought it.  We are great tourists.

This is what our lamps looks like but it is in the colors of orange and red.

A view from Side.  Yes a little cloudy but don't let that fool you, it was still very warm.

Our daily lunch location.  All inclusive meant food and drink to your hearts content.  We met a wonderful British couple while we were there and always had a good laugh with them every lunchtime.  Our favorite waiter was our lunch waiter.  We never had to order a beer.  It just appeared.

Effes Pilsen, the local beer.  A few of these and a nap on the beach.

This is breakfast.  Again the buffet but always eggs made to order and fresh everything.

Our balcony

OK, this is just funny.  I realize it is hard to read but it says "diet buffet".  In the morning it is but in the evening, it is the dessert table!

The hotel has cats.  They are actually part of the hotel and are safe.  Not fixed but do have their shots.  They cruise the food areas in the mornings and evenings.  What is interesting is that there is a set that show up in the morning and a different group in the evenings.  I don't know if they are unionized!

We did get a little exercise.  Our right arms became very strong!

When you have been to this hotel more than once, they have a special dinner every Thursday evening where returning guests are treated to a first class dinner.  The GM and all of the bosses are there to greet you and thank you.

Again, everywhere has an incredible view.

A beer and a Raki with water.  Raki is the same as Ouzo but Turkish not Greek.

OK, so that was our week in Turkey.  Not too many Americans head there for a week at the beach so I was an unusual guest but I must say, Americans are missing something special.  So if you want a great vacation, go to Turkey.  They are wonderful people and the country is so interesting.  So until our next event, Auf Wiedersehen.