Hello
Just got back from Akbuk after a week of furnishing our house there. Very hot so we just put basic stuff in our house. Fridge freezer, washing machine, water heater, gas hob, rug, bed, table and chairs, mirror, fixed a few door locks, cleared garden up( got 20 bin bags of grass etc out of it), bought a ladder, clothes horse, plates, glasses, tools, cushions, candles,, 2 fans, coffee table, lanterns etc. Put a new shower curtain pole up and shower head fitting. Think we done pretty good really. Also arranged a painter to paint our house and met our Turkish neighbours who were very very helpful and kind and we had a couple of lovely nights round theirs drinking Turkish tea and learning a few words of Turkish. They were both from Izmir and were both teachers. One night the electric went off and we were cleaning our house up and they asked us round . They even helped us do our garden and lent us their lawn mower. Lovely people.
We found the trip and furnishing process very good. We landed at Bodrum airport and sped through customs and were met outside by a man from Propercar with a sign with our names on . He led us to our Fiat Diablo van and then we made our way to Akbuk following instructions off here. Had to fill up with petrol at garage about 2 miles from airport as tank was almost empty.As the instructions said it was very easy, even at 2am . We found Akbuk and our villa very easy. We arrived at our complex( Ozelick) about 3am and the security guard was asleep so we just drove straight past. We found Marc's villa easy and hit the sack. We did not wake till afternoon as we did not get to bed till 5am or something. Decided to get down to our estate agents straight away and get the key to our house( on Ozelick ). Erkan from Oyes gave us the keys and also took us to insure the place and also get our tax numbers. After the insurance was done we felt relaxed about furnishing it. Erkan has been most helpful .
Another day we decided to check out the furniture shops in Altinkum. Ended up buying off Site Mobilya and Poli Mobilya( both near Migros) and Artemis ( just past Apollo Temple). Site Mobilya and Poli Mobilya delivered within a couple of hours and were polite and I will be going back again . Armetis furniture had the old style hand made wooden furniture and we bought a coffee table here and took it with us in back of van. The van did come in handy and on 3 days we made good use of it. On the way back from Artemis, we saw a shop on the same side as the Apollo Temple heading towards Didim, just past the temple. We ended up buying 2 cane chairs, 2 giant cushions, 2 lanterns and a huge rug which went in back of van. This shop had loads of outside chairs etc outside and you just parked in-between them. Will be going back here again.
Another day our van came in handy was when we bought a water heater. We bought the heater from the shop opposite Migros( the one that does lights). The man said the water heater could be delivered tomorrow and then it would be fitted the day after that. We did not want to sit around two days, so we just said we would take the water heater ourselves so we did not have to wait about. When on way back to Akbuk we saw a big hardware store just past garage( about half way to Akbuk) . We ended up buying a ladder, shower pole, brooms, etc, which all just fitted into van. At Migros we also found our van worth the while as we had loads of stuff to squeeze in. Poli furniture also knocked £10 off the price of a lovely dining table and 6 chairs as we said we would take it there and then in the van. We did buy other stuff off them before this which was delivered on same day as buying it.
One thing that surprised me was how good the delivery side of things were too. People turned up when they said and put things together and it all went really smoothly. When our washing machine was delivered, the guy had it strapped to his back and walked all the way to the house and upstairs with the machine on his back. I was shocked and amazed. The bloke was only a small man too. We offered to help and he said "no problem, I am ok. "
We did get time to relax too. One day we checked Bafa lake out and had a meal watching the sunset. Another afternoon we just relaxed on Akbuk seafront sipping Efes . I must say I was surprised how hot it was.
Even the Turkish people were saying it was hot. We did get a quote for aircon for our lounge and bedroom and they wanted £1000. So we just said we will leave it and bought 2 fans. Probably get air con on our next holiday when we will have the time to shop around and get a better price. I did not put mozzie spray on the night most of our furniture was being delivered and as doors were open I was bitten to death. About 15 bites all around my ankles. Over next few days my ankles and feet swelled and it was most painful. I will not make that mistake again.
Marc's villa was a life saver as it had air con and we thank him for letting us use it. We found Akbuk still peaceful and quiet this time of year. I actually lost 4lb in a week as it was so hot I could not eat much. And what I did eat was mostly salads and water melon. I did have a few Efes too of course ;-)
My husband found driving in Turkey very easy and enjoyable. He said it was far easier then Spain or France. Roads were not that busy at all. Think I counted about 40-50 places to eat around Akbuk. Loads of bars etc sprung up. The sea looked as blue as ever and I noticed a few more shops had opened up( since April). The large supermarket in Akbuk town was pretty good as it sold a good mixture of things, including gas bottles, household things, BBQ's etc. I found everyone we met friendly and helpful. I felt safe and relaxed. Did not see any snakes or scorpions and I done the gardening in my sandals ;-)
Looking forward to my next trip to Turkey.
Home from Akbuk
Ms Pacman Champion!
Bana Ne!
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