Rosi Cornwell
In May 2022 I went on my first holiday (not my first ever holiday, I mean the first family holiday) with my mum and step dad, and about 10 family friends for my step sister’s wedding in Turkey. It was hot, great fun and honestly felt like we were there for about a month (I think due to the fact we landed at 6am, checked in, had a nap, then started the day by the pool about 10am … then went out for Charlotte’s hen do and came home at about 4am….)
The following ten points are my own findings, so please do not let that affect your own opinions of Marmaris (although some views were shared mutually among us)
1. Okay so this point actually has nothing to do with Marmaris, this is relevant to staying in any apartment/self catering …… Remember all those sachets of condiments that get left over at restaurants that make their way home with you (no? just me?) well bring them with you to your apartment – no one is going to use up a whole bottle of ketchup in 10 days! Also bring a washing up sponge (and a mini bottle of washing up liquid if your super organised) …. or don’t do any of this if you are not a tight arse like me!
2. I don’t know if this is only relevant to vegans, but be prepared to eat a lot of chips. I think there was only one day out of 10 that I didn’t eat chips. I am surprised that I did not turn into a chip. Although I kind of did with my inability to tan, but also didn’t leave as pale as when I arrived.
3. You will get hassled EVERYWHERE. I expected it from the shops. but not the activity hosts at the hotel. I appreciate they need to get people up and having fun, but when you want to lay in the sun, and not play darts on the shady side of the pool.. gimme a break here. I even wore headphones one day and they still spoke to me! Gosh… who ever thought I would be ungrateful for people paying me attention aye!
4. You can pay using English money! They actually prefer it. The exchange rate was a bit hard for us to get our head around, a drink was 100L … which is about £5.
5. Excursions are REALLY cheap! We paid £20 for a lazy day boat cruise which included pick up and drop off from the hotel, lunch and drinks (although the amount we drunk I am pretty sure we just increased our risk of diabetes type 2 from all the sugar in the fanta… I did not feel drunk in the slightest… although likely for the best in the blazing sun, and jumping off a boat to swim in the sea… I use the word jumping loosely… I am a wimp when it comes to jumping and water)… sorry I sound like I am complaining… this was one of the best days, we swum in the beautiful crystal clear sea, and had a day of pure bliss! …. the Jeep Safari was also REALLY good … brace yourself for the water fight though … everything gets SOAKED! …. I would warn people that the turtle boat trip was VERY LONG…
6. Okay so I have already covered this above, but I found it hard to get drunk (sorry I am that person that I like to get a bit woozey to have a good time… it just makes me more loose okay!!) I know that usually all inclusive hotels water alcohol down (I don’t actually know that, I probably got told that once, I have no hard evidence don’t quote me okay) but we paid full money for these cocktails… usually long island ice teas, and you know how lethal they can be … I did not get drunk once… but this was a blessing, as this meant no hang overrrr!
7. Not from my experience… well it can’t be … because I am not a man, but you may not get into Bar Street clubs as a group of men. My step dad, and his friends (middle aged men, one guy in his twenties, and an OAP) were refused entry to some clubs, which is sad as they were on a stag do.
8. Be prepared to wait a while for food… we even decided it was a good idea to not go out for food starving hungry.
9. This is also good for any holiday, but it was the first time using my quick dry towel, and I wanted to shout about how great it is! It was so good, especially as it was so hot, and I was always in/out/in/out of the pool.
10. Taxi drivers will mostly always let you fit 4 people in the back of a 3 person car!
I also realise that on my scrap bit of paper that I scribbled all these thoughts onto, I added two 9’s so I have an extra …
11. If you want to not have to politely decline every sales person on the street (which becomes tiring after 10 days) wear headphones!
