Bodrum, the Turkish Riveria
Thu 07 Aug 2014
Just winding down on my time in Bodrum, Turkey. After sleeping in the car for one night and being stuck in a traffic jam in the middle of Bodrum at midnight during Bayran, it's a welcome outcome to find myself staying for eight days at the same place. The lovely little highway siding that is Guvercinlik is about 20 minutes drive short of Bodrum... Making it the perfect jump point for you to explore Bodrum and the whole peninsula as you care. Peak season is from July until September and it's best to avoid this but that can be difficult. Temperatures will be in the 30s, the sky will be clear and the water temperature will be about 25 degrees. Let's push aside the negatives first.
There will be summer time traffic jams - night and day in central Bodrum ... there is also a lots of rubbish lying around the place, the Turkish don't seem to care about littering. To look at the beaches and the seaside, sometimes it's quite ugly.
Okay, now for positives.
Hospitality.
It seems the Turkish can't help themselves and it's culturally ingrained that they should be welcoming, friendly and polite at all times. This even extends to when you're bargaining. I would often have fun with the phrase "ben turkum yeah", spelt phonetically. This means "I am Turkish", and said with a bit of fun attitude, particularly when they ask when your from .. you from it always gets a laugh. The result being a discount almost every time without haggling. They also often have the phrase "yok yok". This is a double negative meant to say we don't say no.
Prices.
Eight nights in basic accommodation by the sea has worked out at 1150 TL ... that's for two people and includes breakfast, random lunches and some beverages. That's about $30 US per day per person.
Food.
Local food is Mediterranean and Turkish. That can wear thin after eight days but you can always change the flavors for some Asian or some sort of western style burger and fries. In our case both these meals were made in the restaurant at the penison.
Shopping.
Though I travel a light, it's hard not to get caught up in the Bodrum atmosphere of the shopping street front. Having put off some small purchases the sometime I could not help it but by three pairs of genuinely polarized knockoff sunglasses for 100 USD, and a pair of knock for swim shorts, that are very stylish, for less than 20 USD.
Day boat trips.
I daytrip on some type of boat is almost a must. Prices start at about 35 USD per person for a small boat and range upwards depending on the level of comfort. The trip should include lunch at that price.
These are just a few items that are relevant to the average or budget traveler. There is a full five and six star style available and ultra old inclusive resorts. One place reviewed was about 250 USD per night and per person. Ultra all-inclusive includes choice of restaurants, beverages, beach chairs and as many towels as you can wet in one day.
Overall its simple and the price is right ... Making it a super recommendation.
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