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Turkish Travel Blog

I recently got the opportunity to have a full guided tour of a 5 star luxury resort and spa. Now,  considering how nosy I am, it did not take me two seconds to scream “yes, I am coming”.  I am talking about the Venosa Beach Resort and Spa that opened it’s doors in May of this year, in the area called Yesilkent on the Aegean Coast of Turkey.

Trip Advisor would indicate that once Venosa Beach Resort and Spa had got the teething problems under control, they have generally won a few fans from a number of nationalities. While sitting in the restaurant, I heard numerous languages spoken, which was quite comforting. For a resort that is traditionally dominated by British holiday makers; this proves that Venosa Beach is headed in another direction when it comes to bringing tourism to Altinkum.

The Venosa Beach Resort and Spa boasts of 339 rooms, four restaurants, four bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as numerous activities and spa facilities. Was I impressed? Hell yeah, course I was impressed. This is quite something when the people who know me, will tell you that I am a hard core critic of all inclusive facilities.

The food was delicious. I helped myself to the open buffet in the main hall but there is a choice of four other restaurants that specialise in Italian, fish and Ottoman Cuisine.

One aspect that continually amazed me throughout the tour was the attention to detail in the decor and art that run throughout the establishment. It is quite obvious that no expense has been spared and this pays off in the form of a comfortable and relaxing environment.

There were a couple of reviews on Trip Advisor  complaining of the location but to be fair, the Venosa Beach Resort and Spa plainly states that they are located in Yesilkent and for people who do not know this area, it is very quiet and there is not a wide choice of things to do on your doorstep. This is one reason that Yesilkent has always been one of my favorite resorts to head to.

Would I stay in the hotel myself?

No, but that is because of the fact that I have an apartment a 15 minute drive away. I would take advantage of their daytime tickets and also use the separate restaurants for evening meals. Apart from that, if you want the all-inclusive facility while holidaying in Turkey,  then Venosa Beach Resort and Spa,  in my opinion delivers it well.

Venosa Beach Resort and Spa – Reviews on Trip Advisor

Turkish Travel Blog – A Travel Blog About Turkey

Turkish Travel Blog

Circumstances dictate that in two months, I must return briefly to the “Dear old Blighty”. The small and dark Island floating in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The island that provokes doom and gloom memories of miserable people who are incapable of muttering good morning without moaning about their daily lives and the poor performance of their government.  Where am I talking about? England.

I do not want to return but needs must be and this forced me into looking at flight tickets online. Now, all over the world, flight tickets are booked in the thousands every day of the week. However four hours after commencing my search, I had still not booked a flight ticket and I had consumed enough beer that would have put my  alcoholic granddaddy to shame.

A number of factors have changed massively during the years of my self-imposed exile from the UK and the simple process of booking a flight ticket made me turn to the demon drink for seven simple reasons

1: I Hate Flying

At some point over the years, I developed an intense hatred for flight travel. The amount of time that was spent sitting around in airport lounges, making mad dashes to the luggage carousels and enduring the false smiles of the stewardess, made me believe that I would rather pull my toe nails out with eyebrow pluckers than sit on an airplane for four hours.

2: Expensive Flight Tickets Blamed on the Fuel Crisis.

Explanation for the high price of flight tickets is given to us in the form of a fuel crisis.  Now that Colonel Kaddafi has given up his fleet of private jets, can we expect to see improvements in the price of fuel very soon? I don’t think we should hold our breath. The thing is,  I am not an expert at how fuel gets traded around the world but I do think something is odd here. Come back and tell me there is a fuel crisis when private jets are made illegal and families are limited to one vehicle per household, no matter how rich they are.

3: Competition

Flight travel is based on the competition. Last month, when one small operator went bankrupt, the two major airlines companies that were operating the same routes put their prices up drastically overnight. This makes me believe that somewhere in the world is a Jacuzzi full of fat, hairy CEOs rubbing their hands together while smoking Cuban cigars and laughing at how the average commoner on the streets is being ripped off left, right and centre because it is all perfectly legal!

4: Check-in baggage is NOT included in the flight price!

WTF! When was that blatant and obvious form of daylight robbery introduced?  How many people book a flight from Turkey to the UK or vice versa and do not check in with luggage?  I can tell you, absolutely nobody.  Checking in baggage for two people costs an extra 30 euros. Praise the lord that I do not have a family like the Walton’s. At this point, the fourth bottle of beer was consumed and I opened the fifth.

5 : Extra leg room

Now let’s quote the airline. They say…

“Extra legroom. Great for tall people or people who just want to stretch out during the flight”

My translation…

“We herd you into an airplane like sheep for four hours and if you want 4 to 5 extra inches of space to stretch your legs, you will damn well pay for the luxury”

The cost is 35,00 euros! I could buy 25 bottles of beer for that price or even feed myself for five days with 35, 00 Euros.  All the extras at this point are starting to add up and the original expensive flight quote is starting to look like false advertising.

6: Carbon Tax

So apparently included in the price of the flight ticket is Carbon tax. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all for saving the earth and conserving our planet but does anyone actually know what is being done with the money that is made from this tax?

All over the world, countries are jumping onto the carbon tax bandwagon generating thousands or maybe millions in extra money throughout the period of a year. What a shame none of us actually knows how it is being spent!

7: Years of Mistrust

I have done many jobs in the past, of which one was selling flight tickets.  I obliged as the companies instructed me to charge innocent customers, 25 pounds just to replace a ticket made of paper.  I could never answer why people got charged for excess baggage but they never got money back if they were underweight on their luggage.  Fair enough, the flight industry has changed now but the mistrust is still there and always will be.

My Conclusion

Take into account all of the above and the fact that I hate the UK with an intense passion. I hope you understand my desire to turn to the demon drink when buying a flight ticket.

Now, I never need a lot of persuasion to crack open a bottle of beer however my non-drinking Muslim husband does like to see me sober on some occasions so he has taken over the task of finding flight tickets that we can afford.

However if you read a story,  two months later about the crazy woman who tried to row across the Mediterranean in a dingy boat, than that will be me!

Turkish Travel Blog – A Travel Blog About Turkey

Turkish Travel Blog

It is not often that I get the chance to see  and take pictures of the rich and famous stars of Turkey however last night, I was treated to front row seats at a concert by Hande Yener and had a fantastic opportunity to snap the photos included in this post.  Hande Yener  is a woman with status who oozes talent and captivates everyone that crosses her path.

She is a famous Turkish Pop singer that is often compared to Madonna for two simple reasons.  With every album that she releases, there is obvious experimentation with new styles, vibes and rhythms. Her eagerness to explore and push the boundaries in the field of Turkish pop music has paid off, earning her an amazing 17 million sales of her records around the world.

Along with the new music, comes a fresh look and style to her  public  image, hence the comparison to Madonna. Changing your image with every new album worked wonders for Madonna and this technique has also made Hande Yener, one of the top female Turkish pop stars.

Hande Yener has been credited with a number of awards and honors when it comes to the Turkish pop music scene so when I got the chance to attend one of her concerts, I was of course, delighted. She was appearing at the Venosa Beach Resort in Didim and listening to her in real life, only proves the certainty that she is a natural born entertainer.

Her looks, her style, her voice and the way that the camera instantly falls in love with her, explain why she has amassed a huge fan base of followers both young and old.  I hope you like my favorite photos in black and white  that I took at  the concert last night.  I think they show her amazing talent to perform to the masses.

If you want to hear the music of Hande Yener, , just press play on the You Tube video below. Many thanks to Venosa Beach Resort for the evening, it was absolutely wonderful.

Turkish Travel Blog – A Travel Blog About Turkey

Turkish Travel Blog

Ramadan is a religious period of time that tests the strength, determination and goodwill of Muslim men and women all over the land. Mortal souls that follow the religion of Islam  put themselves through the ultimate endurance test by abstaining from food, drink and intimate contact during the hours of daylight.

The rays of the hot sun beat down on their tired bodies making their brows drip fiercely with sweat as they try to go about the mundane routines of day to day living.  Their dry throats desperately need a glass of ice -cold water and they try to ignore the growling hunger pains that are lingering in their empty bellies.

They do not give into the temptation of pleasure for the body until the sun disappears and the skies are dark. Their minds are focused on pure thoughts, self-discipline and empathy for those in poverty who have no choice but to live like this,  every day of their lives.

The Ramadan period in 2011 started on the 1^st of August and those of you who walk streets trying to spot the people of Turkey  who have volunteered for a month of self-cleansing and religious reflection may be disappointed.

The Turks are not vocal about their choice to fast. They complete it with dignity and a silence that builds a wall around them, keeping them safe from impure thoughts, words and actions. To gain an understanding of this practice that is accused by some of being outdated and unhealthy, you would have to wake before the hours of dawn or in my case, live with someone who views Ramadan as his opportunity to get closer to the Almighty.

It is actually known as Ramazan in Turkey but that makes little difference as to what happens in one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar.  My husband is fasting and the past three weeks have seen some obstacles arise. These obstacles which occur every year during Ramadan, no longer test the strength of our marriage. We have been there and done it, and any change to our routines is old hat.

Ramadan in 2011 – The Dilemma I Faced

Ramadan is not a set calendar date. It comes early every year by ten days. The result is that in 2011, it has fallen within one of the hottest months of the year. My husband also works in a restaurant and this is one of the busiest months when he will cater for hundreds of hungry tourists that are eager to consume English breakfasts, hamburgers for lunch and juicy steaks for dinner.

This is not the winter months when the hours of daylight are shorter and very few tourists trickle through the door of the restaurant. This is different, the stakes are higher and the goal posts have moved.

I asked my husband to abstain this year, offering money to charities instead as a penance for not completing the fast. However I knew the answer would be “no” all along.  My worries about the heat and the long days would have to take a back seat.

I had no worries about his health or mental well-being. This is because he has fasted every year since he made the transformation from a boy to a man. The ability to undergo this test of strength is firmly ingrained into his character and lifestyle.

Waiting for the Side Effects – The Bad Moods

After being married for five years, I can spot instantly when the side effects of fasting start to take place. Fatigue is one of them and this in turn lead to bad moods. Patiently I ignored them along with the long periods of silence. At his work, all the tourists saw the smiling face that jokes with them and ensures their holiday is one that they enjoy.

At home, my husband felt comfortable enough to take the mask off and bring the feelings of hunger and thirst up to the surface. While, I wanted to support him in this time of self-reflection, there was a need to say something to prevent the situation getting even worse. From experience in past years, words said in the heat of a moment only leads way to bad vibes at a time when calm and peace are required. A couple of quiet words and reflection soon solved this problem.

Next Comes The Bad Breath

After spending eleven years in Turkey, I can normally spot someone who is fasting after speaking a couple of words with them because 99.9% of the time they will have bad breath. What can you do? Nothing, it is more polite just to ignore it.

The Lost Friendship

Not all Turks will spend the month fasting. It is a personal decision which sees no consequences if they don’t.  Over the years though, I have noticed that some Turks who are not fasting seem to be more vocal about Ramadan  than the Turks that simply want to keep their heads down and complete this period of reflection without drama.

One close Turkish friend who is an atheist decided to launch unexpectedly into a  serious ranting and raving session about the stupidity of Ramadan and the damage that can be caused to people’s health.

Considering that Ramadan had no effect on her life what so ever, I was rather bemused by her words and intrigued as to what had caused this sudden outburst.  I never discovered as the conversation was cut short when she overstepped the mark in order to justify her hatred of Islam. She had called my husband “stupid” for fasting and along with the end of the conversation; our friendship reached a point beyond repair.

Why Didn’t I take Part in Ramadan?

The conversation this year was the same as it is every year. I get asked if I will be “holding the fast ” and my answer is no. The same people then ask if hubby is fasting and my response is pretty much the same as “do fish swim in the sea?”

They are bemused as to how two people can live in the same house but only one of them will fast. Don’t get me wrong, I have been there and tried it but my soul and mind is one of the weaker kinds when temptation will take over in the darkest moment.

I would only hamper my husband in his fast, with moans that would describe my hunger and thirst pains in-depth. I am not strong willed when it comes to abstaining from alcohol and nicotine, so abstaining from food and drink would turn me into a nervous wreck.

The month of Ramadan is not an easy task and I fully admit that I have neither the strength nor dedication to do it. Instead I make conscious efforts to support my husband by avoiding reference to food, drink or personal contact within the hours of daylight.

So on the 29^th of August, the last day of fasting will fall upon us. We will then embark on three days of celebration called Seker Bayram or the Sugar holiday. Thoughts of Ramadan will be placed to the back of my mind…until 2012 when we do it all again.

Turkish Travel Blog – A Travel Blog About Turkey

Turkish Travel Blog

Zoo animals are a great way to get behind the lens of a camera and practice your photography skills. In my last article, I discussed my reason for visiting Izmir Zoo and Wildlife Park and that was to answer if  animals  should be kept in zoos? However I did not realize until I arrived at my chosen destination,  that the zoo animals and landscapes made it the perfect place to tone up and hone in on my photography skills. This article is to showcase a few of the pictures that I managed to capture.

Izmir Zoo and Wildlife Park has over 1200 wild and tame animals including mammals, birds, reptiles and endangered species such as the Asian elephant. To be able to watch these animals as they went about their daily life was absolutely amazing and the animals became the perfect photo subject. That day, I took over 300 photos and I will admit that many have been trashed but every so often, I was surprised at the image that I managed to capture.

As soon as you enter the zoo, you are given a detailed map and then you can start exploring and observing a wide range of zoo animals that include but are not limited to…

-          Birds of prey and birds from the forests of Africa

-          Giraffes, zebras, hippopotamus and ostriches

-          Camels, red deer,  gazelle and elephants

-          Bears, wolfs, hyena, monkeys, tigers and lions

-          The tropical centre which features crocodiles, insects and snakes

My zoom lens was not powerful enough

I did not realize exactly how much space the zoo animals were given in Izmir Wildlife Park and at times my zoom lens let me down. The animals had large enclosures and during the mid-day heat, tended to gather for shade under trees that were far off in the distance. If you decide to head to Izmir zoo to practice your photography skills, make sure you have a good zoom lens.

Seems like Izmir Zoo is a haven for photographers

As well as watching the zoo animals, I came across photographers who had zoom lenses longer than my forearm and so many camera accessories that I looked down at my little Fuji camera and blushed with embarrassment. Yes, I suffered from the “You have a bigger camera than me” syndrome but I decided instead to embrace this opportunity and I spent a lot of time watching the experts while in awe. I am quite sure they assumed they had picked up a solo female stalker!

How to get to Izmir Zoo

Make your way to Izmir central bus station and from there catch a bus to Karsiyaka, then hop onto the 777 bus to Sasali. Alternatively, if there is a large group of you, catch a taxi from the bus station to minimize traveling time. If you are in any of the coastal resorts near Izmir, speak to a local tour provider to find out if they can organize a private bus and tour.

Turkish Travel Blog – A Travel Blog About Turkey

Turkish Travel Blog

I recently spent a lot of time thinking about the question of “should animals be kept in Zoos?” I was prompted to ponder this topical debate subject after discussing Izmir zoo with a few friends.  These friends stated strongly that they would not accompany me on the two hour journey to Izmir, because they viewed zoos as cruel establishments that had no place on the face of the earth.

However the truth is there are many zoos around the world that are both a touristic and local attraction. Marketed as a family day out, it is a chance for people to see animals that they  will never ever see again in their life time. Naming a few animals, it is safe to say that ferocious lions, cute cuddly bears, a lazy hippopotamus and a cheeky monkey all combine to form one of the most controversial subjects that exist today.

Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? – Case Study of Izmir Zoo

Previously, I could never answer this question fully as I have never walked the path that led me to enter a zoo. However, despite a lack of enthusiasm from my friends, I decided to visit Izmir Zoo on my own and therefore gain a true understanding of what my stance on the subject would be.

The first aspect to note about Izmir Zoo is that it goes to great lengths to be known as a wildlife park. This stance blends in with the revamp that the zoo had in 2008 following severe criticism of the conditions that animals had been kept in since the zoo opened in 1936. Previous reports stated that animals were kept in cramped conditions, were dirty and their health was not considered a priority.  The new wildlife park focuses on large amounts of space for the animals as well as top quality care and attention to their needs.

Well, there is no better proof than living proof and while at Izmir zoo, I spent a lot of time trying to analyze each animal that I came across. You might be laughing now wondering how a small town girl can call herself an expert on animal behavior however I just went with my gut feeling, watching their behavior, trying to make eye contact and analyzing any reactions to human contact.

The smaller animals seemed to fare quite well. Swans, chipmunks, ducks, tortoises  and goats were happily going about their business ignoring the traffic passing by.

The larger animals seemed to go quietly about their business but the animal that caught my attention was the adult elephant that seemed to be pacing up and down out of boredom. This is understandable because even though the park has given the elephants massive amounts of green space to themselves, in the wild they are used to hundreds and hundreds of miles that become their domain.  The equivalent would be like placing a human under house arrest.

The more dangerous animals like lions and tigers are also given their own large enclosures and people can view them from behind a glass screen. Their focus on that day was on keeping out of the sun by lying under shady trees and Izmir zoo is very much backing the stance that if you do not get to see an animal then you should return at a different time. They are not forcing the animals into any ridiculous side shows involving party tricks and silly costumes.

Animals aside, the park does give a lot of information to visitors about the animal that they are seeing and two days within a week are dedicated to educational tours for children. This is to describe the traits, natural habitat and eating routines of an animal.  It is quite plain to see that the park aims to keep its animals in the best conditions possible however this does not distract from the moral and ethically question of “Should animals should be kept in Zoos?”

Should Animals be Kept in Zoos? – The Pros

*There are more chances of endangered species surviving due to no natural threat

* Scientists can study diseases that kill species and invent cures

*In a world, where nature and lands are being destroyed it gives the animals a safe haven

*People can see animals that they will probably never see again in their life time

*It is a great way to educate children that we are not the only inhabitants of the planet

Should Animals be Kept in Zoos? – The Cons

*Larger species can feel confined about the lack of space

*It enforces the belief that animals do not have rights

*There is the chance that some Zoos will not place the animal’s well-being before profit.

*Some species do not adapt as well to captivity as other species.

*Studying an animal in captivity is not the same as studying them in their natural environment.

Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? – My Conclusion

I really do believe that this question cannot be answered with YES or NO. For every positive reason to keep animals in zoos there is a negative reason and vice versa.

In the case of Izmir zoo, there is also the question of the baby elephant called Izmir. She was born into captivity and any suggestion to release her into the wild would probably result in her death due to a lack of life skills.

There will always be two camps when it comes to zoos. The people that believe Zoos are good for science, nature and to gain an understanding of the creatures that we share our planet with. Then there are those who believe zoos should be banned and animals should be released.

In my experience, Izmir zoo is caring for the wild life in the best way possible and I saw no signs of cruelty. For the sake of science, education and a better understanding of the creatures that stand on this planet with me, I have to place myself in the camp that says “Yes, animals should be kept in zoos”

What do you think?

Turkish Travel Blog – A Travel Blog About Turkey