Summer holiday booked!

jillyxjinx

You really are a little gem Jim! (hope your name is Jim!)

I'm sure to have lots of other questions but so far you have made my day....so much info, thankyou x

I will need a taxi so will get in touch with Ahmet, the Horizon boat is infrequent to and from the resort in September so will be looking for other ways to get across, I'm actually going 18th Sept to 28th Sept - will you be there then?

Have to go now but will post more later and thankyou! You don't realise how much help you've been.

worried_jim

Ahmet is brilliant- when he picks you up he always says "yes please Ahmet" so he is known as yes please Ahmet. When I first went in 2011 he had a few old cars now he has lovely Mercedes vans and he is a pleasure to do business with. As you walk out of BJV airport he or one of his drivers will be on the right hand side waiting for you and ten minutes later you will be in Gulluk.
From Milas airport to central Güllük - TL50
http://ahmetstaxitransfer.com/GullukTaxiBooking.aspx

As Horizon sky is out on the peninsular it is quite a drive around from the airport but email Ahmet so you can get a price. Horizon sky is a bit cut off so most guests get the water taxi over in the morning and base them selves in Gulluk and then come back in the evening, however one of the benefits of this makes Horizon sky one of the most peaceful places on the planet as there is no traffic.

If you look at the first photo I posted on page one of this thread you can see Horizon Sky on the other side of the bay, you may wish to hire a car (if you do decide this when you get there have a chat with Joe in the Broken Barrel).

I have always gone at the end of September and into early October but this year I arrive on August 30th so will just miss you. Anything else you want to know- let me know.

Remember that you get your Turkish Visa online now and no longer have to queue in the airport to buy it. Do it here-
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Don't be fooled by the other scam sites like you get with UK passports/driving licenses etc.

jillyxjinx

You're such a help.....i can't wait to get there now!
I've had a look at Ahmets website for taxi's and will get in touch with him for a price to the resort nearer the time.
The Horizon sky have their own boat to and from the resort but its quite infrequent - does Donmez 1 do the trip too? Or is this the actual boat? If i can get a boat which is more frequent that would be good.
Such a shame we will miss each other - would have loved a cold drink in your fav cafe....i will definitely be visiting there.
I am looking forward to a few boat trips so Mehmets my man....are they quite small numbers? - hate those rowdy crowded boat trips.
I think i have found the perfect place, even though its quite easy to blend in on your own in a crowded resort you tend to stick out even more. But in a place like Gulluk i don't think i will feel so "obvious", i love to go to cafes and sit and watch the world go by.
Is the supermarket far from the marina? Which is the best on to use? I will do some food shopping on my first day there - get it out of the way and get to know the area a bit.
My plane gets in a 9:45pm and the last boat goes from the marina in Gulluk to Horizon at 11pm - not sure if i will make it......what do you think? Hopefully things have speeded up now with the new visa at the airport? And if i book Ahmet he can get me to the marina quite quickly.....i think it will be very expensive getting a taxi all the way to the resort?
Do you buy your Lira out there or take it with you.....i've been to Turkey quite a few time but have never know the exchange rate so good! Over 3 to the GBP! Its brilliant....so i'm happy to do it all here and take with me, i feel a bit vulnerable going into small exchange places...what do you think?
You're probably thinking...OMG woman get a grip! Its just never been on hold on my own and its so nice being able to ask you "stuff".
Thankyou again for your help Jim.

worried_jim

As far as I know Memhet has the contract with Horizon sky (I may be wrong and there is another or other boats as well, I will find out for you.)

Here is the view from the Gulluk cafe (my fav spot)- (you can just see Horizon Sky on the other side of the bay).



There are three boats that do the day trips and they all go to the same places, I have done them all and they are all good, Donmez1 with Memhet is the best though as he really makes sure that by the end of the day, no matter where you are from you all know each other (and he does magic tricks at lunch). The boat will not be too crowded as he doesn't over fill it. It's about 30tl for the day 10am to 18:00 which includes a lovely cooked lunch, afternoon tea and fruit and wine which is eaten in the sea on a deserted beach.

Gulluk cafe is by the marina, but you will get your water taxi and Donmez 1 from the small quay next it which is where the bars and retaurants are.-



Behind these buildings is the town square and to the left is the Migros supermarket it's all 1-2 mins walk away. There is also a smaller supermarket "Kipa" which is Tesco and may be open later than 10pm, but it is more of a convenience store.

You should be able to make the last water taxi by 11pm. Once you exit the airport you will be at the quayside in 15 mins.

Definitely get your lira out there, even the bank atm's give a much better exchange rate, you will meet plenty of people who can give you the best rates and best places. Today the exchange rate is 336tl to the £ and I would have thought that the local banks will be doing 340+. These are not small exchange places but regular high street banks- don't worry. Gulluk has bank branches for Garanti Bank and the Yapi Kredi Bank. In addition there are cash machines in the centre of the village (inc HSBC). Last year I was changing money in a bar above the Broken Barrel called the Anchor as they were doing a better rate than the banks (when I lived in Israel I used to change money with a bloke at the back door of a news kiosk- strange but it was the best rates), I don't think the Anchor bar is open this year, or it may have changed it's name, again as I've said if you want to know the best places to get anything then chat to Mehmet or Joe in the Broken Barrel.

I don't mind you asking questions at all- it's a real pleasure to share my experiences with you. Gulluk is a small working town, it's not all that attractive, it doesn't have a huge golden sandy beach, but what it does have in spades is friendly locals and visitors and a charm that I can't put my finger on but everyone there will tell you how much they love the place- you just do, it's got such a friendly atmosphere, it's magical, especially when you've been out on the boat and you start to bump into people from the previous days excursion.

-edit- locally the exchange rate is 3.4 - 3.5 to the £ so much better when you are there. I've checked locally and it seems that the Donmez is no longer used as the water taxi.

jillyxjinx

Hey Jim....not long now! 6 weeks for me and only a couple for you!
Gulluk awaits! Can't wait for some R & R.
If you come back before i leave i'll be picking your brain again for local info and top picks....hope you don't mind.
Best regards
Jill

worried_jim

Not at all! My friends just got back last week (they go again at the end of the month) and they were getting nearly 3.9tl to the £1 there (although the rate has dropped a little since their return) . I have since discovered the best place to change money (I am taking Sterling) is the post office in the square near Migros supermarket.

I have just checked in the Easyjet this evening. Got to say I am super excited and glad that we are finally in August. I have already been to Belgium a few weeks ago and have also booked a villa in Egypt in November, but Gulluk is the one I can't wait for.

maman

worried_jim wrote: »

Not at all! My friends just got back last week (they go again at the end of the month) and they were getting nearly 3.9tl to the £1 there (although the rate has dropped a little since their return) . I have since discovered the best place to change money (I am taking Sterling) is the post office in the square near Migros supermarket.

I have just checked in the Easyjet this evening. Got to say I am super excited and glad that we are finally in August. I have already been to Belgium a few weeks ago and have also booked a villa in Egypt in November, but Gulluk is the one I can't wait for.

I've had one Turkish holiday already last month and another booked for September!:)


Just came on to say that you'll pay some commission at the PTT (Post Office) but many shops will display a commission free rate. If you do the sums there's not a lot in it. The shops can be really useful when the PTT is closed. They used to be open all hours but since being privatised the opening hours are reduced (still much better than Post Office hours here though;)).


Have a great time!

jillyxjinx

Thankyou maman....how interesting the post office here is offering a measly 3.27 TL huh, i'll be avoiding them!
I'll follow you Jim and take sterling and change it in Gulluk, if i can get anywhere near 3.9 i'll be a happy bunny.

Have a lovely time!

worried_jim

jillyxjinx wrote: »

Thankyou maman....how interesting the post office here is offering a measly 3.27 TL huh, i'll be avoiding them!
I'll follow you Jim and take sterling and change it in Gulluk, if i can get anywhere near 3.9 i'll be a happy bunny.

Have a lovely time!

*Post Office (PTT) in Gulluk, not UK P.O.

worried_jim

Great place to check exchange rates-

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/Money/ExchangeRates.html

Today they are offering 3.59TL to the £1. The MSE best rate in the side bar is 336.9TL from M&S (you can get better with a Clarity credit card but for cold hard cash this is the best and most accessible available today).

On £100 that is 359.9TL when you get to resort (and you may get an even better rate) or 336.90TL from M&S, 23TL difference on every £100 exchanged- that's a meal in a restaurant!

Take a small amount with you and change your sterling or use an atm if you have the right card when you get there. Many shops and kiosks in larger resorts will offer to exchange starling and most will beat these rates as well.