Яликавак - город ветров и сабак Yalikavak - the city of winds and dogs

YALIKAVAK - THE CITY OF WINDS AND DOGS

We rested at the Yalipark hotel from 16.06. 12 to 30.06. 12. When I was looking for reviews on this hotel, they were picked up “one, two and counted! ". On the one hand, this was pleasing: it means that "Russo tourists - the image of morale" did not reach the Yalikavak place in mass quantities. However, on the other hand, it was alarming: what if you meet something terribly bad - the whole rest is in vain.

After searching for options (price guide), we chose Yalipark, since Pegasus had reasonable prices for this hotel. At the very beginning of the trip, we received a free bonus in the form of a sleepless night at Sheremetyevo Airport from Nord Wind, Pegasus' air partner (the flight was delayed for 4 hours - we flew out only at 8 am). When transferring to the hotel, I was pleased with the Pegasus. Not only did they take everyone to the hotels for about three hours, but we, who were going to Yalipark, were dropped off on the highway and said: “The bus is big, but the streets in Yalikavak are narrow, you can get there on foot. ”
They were not smart enough to give a minibus. Walking with things 500 meters in the heat is a pleasure for everyone. We were not amateurs. (Looking ahead, I’ll say: “They still thought of giving a minibus for the way back”).
For breakfast, due to the fault of the airline, we were late. When we arrived at the hotel, there were 15 minutes left before the end of lunch. My wife and one charming tourist Natasha decided to download the license from the Pegasus guide. I immediately realized that it was useless and, leaving my things at the reception, went to eat.
In order not to write about food further, I will say right away: “The feeding was good. ” There was meat (although not very much), chicken almost every day, soybeans were present (where in a three-ruble note without it), they fried fish once, they made different soups all the time. From fruits - watermelon, melon, oranges and plums. About a bunch of salads, tomatos, cucumbers, etc. , you can not mention - everything was in due quantity and without queues.
The culinary team was good (they cooked deliciously, they put an additive and did not look askance at the same time). I almost forgot about you-beer. Very good red and white wine, the bottle is opened in front of you. Beer, when. Not bad brandy, gin for an amateur, I didn’t drink vodka. For coffee lovers there is a coffee machine (everything from chocolate to cappuccino).

About accommodation and hotel. We asked for a room on the second floor. Gave without problems, without any surcharges. We were lucky - the windows of the room overlooked the neighboring hotel, and not the road. Yes, the rooms are really small, so not for luxury lovers. The TV is tiny under the ceiling, the signal was intermittently lost. (If it weren't for the European Football Championship, I wouldn't need it). The bathroom is normal: everything worked and there was hot water. Cleaning is a problem, of course. No, the guys came, washed the floor, put both paper and soap, but for two weeks (despite the tip) they never changed towels and linen. By the way, there is no shampoo here, take it with you, but there is a hair dryer.
(You could go and quarrel at the reception, but I didn’t want to spoil my vacation, especially since no one knows Russian there, and their English is no better than mine). In the right wing of the hotel (when viewed from the pool) there is access to the roof. In the evening, very beautiful views of the sunset can be photographed.
Now about the beach. The beach is right in front of the hotel, you crossed the promenade and you are on it. There were always enough umbrellas and sunbeds when you didn't come. So there were no posts. The beach is municipal, that is, not fenced in anything. This brought some inconvenience. It should be noted that in Yalikavak there are a huge number of dogs walking on their own. These are not some tiny mongrels, but real cables. Such a “comrade” (see photo) will come to the beach and lie down next to your sunbed, and what cats are scratching in his soul - go, guess. And if even his friends pull up to him, put out the light.
A few words about the sea. The sea here is transparent, expanse for lovers of snorkeling.
Fish walk in schools, in the immediate vicinity of the shore, and if you start turning the stones at the bottom, then there will be an attraction "all the fish are visiting us. " By the way, there are crabs hiding under the stones, flounders are disguised at the bottom, and there are also a lot of galaturia. I saw only one sea urchin in close proximity to the shore, the rest live behind the buoys. However, from time to time garbage is washed ashore, but the hotel workers fight it to the best of their ability.

Regarding the contingent of tourists and animation. This hotel is focused on Turks - 90 percent of vacationers are locals of different ages (from babies to grandmothers). For two weeks of rest, no more than 15 Russians have been here. People who do not know how to entertain themselves and prefer to be animated - obviously not here. Animation is missing COMPLETELY. (Except for the animation of checkers and backgammon, which are given out in the bar, but they are always subscribed by the Turks).
For people who are oriented towards active recreation, Yalikavak presents a lot of opportunities to broaden their horizons.
Do not listen to guides who will tell horror stories and sell tours to Bodrum for crazy money. In Yalikavak there is the final minibus to Bodrum. They run every 20 minutes and cost 5 Turkish lira. Arrive at the bus station of Bodrum, from it to the fortress 10 minutes on foot. The entrance ticket costs 20 Turkish lira (dollars and euros are not taken - exchange at a bank in Yalikavak). Before the trip, do not be lazy and collect free maps of Bodrum at local travel agencies (one is located on the promenade, where there are many fish restaurants - you have to go to the left of the hotel). The fortress is really interesting, there is something to see and take pictures.
About distant excursions. In local travel agencies, tours to Ephesus cost from $38 to $45, two days Ephesus - Pamuk-Kale - 90, and tour operators offer them for 100 and 200, respectively.
Natasha went to Ephesus from a local travel agency and was very pleased.

Now about local attractions. First of all, walk along the embankment towards the fortress, which is visible from the beach of the Yalipark hotel (the fortress is a remake - it has no historical value). Admire the paintings of local artists (there is a vernissage), yachts, a mill, and in general the views, and, of course, souvenir shops. It is especially beautiful there in the evening. After familiarizing yourself with the village, you can make long trips.
Sandima is a village in the mountains, abandoned by the inhabitants (I did not find any information why they left there). It's not far to go, about 3 km. , but out of habit, you can not find the right road (which happened to us), so I will give guidelines. Go left from the Yalipark Hotel to the mosque, further down the street where the taxis stand, then straight down the street past the monument to Ataturk and you will see the Sandima sign.

Now go along the indicated road, without turning anywhere, and you will be happy.
Coves and beaches to the right of the hotel. On the peninsula located on the right side of the hotel there is a reserve where sea lions live (we really didn’t see them - they probably sailed away to hunt). Due to the fact that this is a protected area, almost pristine places have been preserved. To distant beaches with clear water (they are still transported on yachts for 50 Turkish liras) can be reached along an asphalt road in about an hour and a half. Landmark - after passing the shipyard, turn left and go along the road without turning anywhere. Another beautiful place is Dodo Beach. To get there
it is necessary: ​ ​ after passing the shipyard, turn right, go out onto the highway, climb the mountain to the mosque and turn right at the sign, and there the road will lead itself out (walk 40 minutes from the hotel).
True, one beach there is paid, but the second, which is located a five-minute walk from the paid one, is municipal, I don’t want to relax. We were on weekdays, there were no people, the water is clean, and squids live there too. Yes, for lovers of historical antiquities. Near the road to Dodo Beach, on the left side, there are stone Lycomedian tombs in the rock. Of course, “everything has already been stolen before us” inside, but non-professional archaeologists will be pleased to poke their nose into the depths of centuries.
Road to Gumusluk. I read about the picturesque road to Gumusluk and we decided to take it. Don't repeat our mistake! The road was once picturesque, but now there is an active construction of various villas and other joys of life. You won’t particularly approach the shore - the guards are standing. It is problematic to go down to the sea, there are steep rocks everywhere. In one place we went down a long staircase, but the sea here is clearly not conducive to swimming.

Huge slippery boulders that are difficult to see in the crashing foam of huge waves. We walked a few more kilometers and realized that Gumusluk would not submit to us. So if you want to experience the “adventure of crossing the sunken ancient royal road to the island of Tavshan Adasy (Hare Island) past the underwater ruins of the city of Mindos”, take a minibus - since there are a lot of them (departure in the same place as in Bodrum).
Now about the weather. We vacationed in June. I was afraid (having read weather statistics) that it would be cool. Ha-ha, the sun was scorching under 40, the sea was comfortable - not less than 23, but ...If someone had a rest in Egypt, he remembers the famous winds of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. In Yalykavak, the wind blows no worse, and if the first week there was a light breeze, then on the second it was “blown away” from the sunbed, so all the time I sang a song: “Listen, the winds are blowing alarmingly, it’s time for us to part. ”
Summing up, I want to say: “Yalikavak is not a place for parents with children (although there is an amusement park here), not for lovers of luxury and animation, but for people who are set on a positive discovery of the world. ”