Back to Hisaronu

Breakfast out of the way; it was back to the apartment and a day relaxing by the pool. We did not wander in to town until the evening. The apartment is situated at the Kaya end of Hisaronu, just on the edge of Kaya forest, and although the nearest bars and restaurants are only about 300 meters away, it’s a quiet spot, only 5 minutes walk yet out far enough not to be disturbed by the livelier parts of town.

A gin and tonic combines well with watching the sunset over the mountains, then a short stroll to dinner.

We had noticed during our last visit that a new bar was being built about 100 metres away, and we were pleased to find that it is quiet spot to sit without music or TV. It was a quiet dinner and back to the apartment with a bottle of wine.

A number of new restaurants had opened for the new season and a few bars had been re-furbished. Overall the town is looking a little brighter and particularly on the East side a bit smarter.

It was noticeable that the town was a little quieter than spring last year, it seems that the brief scare reports of “bird flu” in Turkey last year, and the World Cup starting in Germany has impacted upon bookings.

Hisaronu

Breakfast in Hisaronu

It was a cold, wet, grey bank holiday Monday when we made our way slowly down the M6 to Birmingham airport. The “check in queue snaked around the departure lounge without any pattern, or apparent organisation, but eventually we got our boarding passes after a ten minute interview about our luggage by the desk clerk. It seemed out of some twenty manned “check in” desks 99% of departing passengers were corralled toward two. I am no logistical genius, but I reckon I could have speeded things up tenfold, and saved a few “frayed tempers”, but that would have looked too easy.

We were flying with Thompson, and apart from the fact the flight was completely full (an earlier cancelled one had been merged with ours), and that two cabin crew had not “turned up” for work, the staff did their best and the flight was OK.

We arrived on time at Dalaman (1 am local) and our driver was waiting, it was a pleasant 20 degrees and we were quickly on our way. The tunnel that is being built to shorten the journey from Dalaman to the south is still not completed, although the road repairs between Fethiye and Hisaronu had been completed, so one hour later, we were at the apartment.

Although there were still a few bars open, we were all tired and went straight to bed. The next morning whilst Mom and Ellen slept in, I was up and about and within an hour of waking in search of an “English breakfast”. Now I should say this stage that I do not eat English food when travelling or on holiday, with the exception of breakfast. England has little to offer to the world at large in the way of “home grown” gastronomic excellence, but when I am on holiday I allow myself a treat or two. You can keep your “cold meat and fruit”, and shove your croissants, start the day with eggs, bacon, mushroom (mix with beans, tomatoes, fried slice etc.) to personal taste and you are set up for the day.

As we were only there for seven days I did not have the opportunity to try every breakfast on offer, but a firm favourite emerged. The London bar (attached to the London Hotel) served good “fry up” for under £3.50, complete with tea, toast and a smile from “Rose” the lovely waitress.

This is the sort up to date information that you will not get in other guides! And I am tired now, so more about the holiday tomorrow.