One of the reasons I love Kalkan so much is the choice of cafes, bars and restaurants. There are so many to choose from and the prices differ wildly but you will always get a great meal. Unlike some of the more touristy resorts on the Turquoise Coast, you cannot get English, Chinese or Indian food but mainly Turkish food with some European influence. We have visited many of the eateries but not all. Some have come and gone over the years, while others have lasted and flourished.
We have our favourites, ones that we return to time and again and others that we have tried just the once. This holiday we have eaten everything from a 14 lira (about £3.10) chicken kebab wrap at Hunkar to a 90 lira (about £19.80) four course meal with wine at The Olive Tree. Now don't you think at these prices that they are both amazing value?
Many of the restaurants are on rooftop terraces with views over the bay and the sunsets over the headland. I finally gave way and ordered my first dessert of the holiday at the Sade Terrace Restaurant one night which was deep fried icecream with caramel sauce. The immediate taste reminded me of another food I had eaten but I could not put my finger on it until the lightening bolt hit - Butterkist toffee popcorn.
The village is full of little cobbled streets, some with tables outside the restaurants where it is lovely to sit and people watch while you enjoy your glass of wine and delicioius meal. We ate at Salonika one evening with musicians playing traditional Turkish music at the next table. The food was devine. I had a chicken casserole with bulgur side and David had the lamb version. A tray of dried herbs and spices was brought to the table for us to add to taste - chilli, cumin, mint and oregano. A wonderful evening.
We've spent more time lazing around on this holiday than any other and one day we walked to the Indigo Beach Club for a day of sunbathing (shade bathing), swimming in the sea and a lazy salad lunch with ice cold beer in icy frosted glasses. They bring around complimentary Turkish tea and Madeira cake in the afternoon too. Our unexpected treat was one of the staff telling us that we could order free drinks paid for by one of the shop owners who was eating lunch and had spotted us sunbathing. Now that is the Turkish approach to people. So kind, generous and friendly. He owns a brilliant bag shop which I may have bought just a few items from over the years... no need to say anymore on that!
We've wandered around the weekly market again as there is no chance of avoiding it as the entrance to our hotel is on the road where the market is held. We didn't buy anything but a stroll into the village afterwards led me to buy a clutch bag (from the shop mentioned above) and a necklace. We pay in Sterling and I had none with me at the time. Both shop owners insisted that I took the items and paid them before I flew home. They know me from the years of visiting Kalkan but how trusting and refreshing is this approach. It is not the first time they have done this either.
We spent a while at the Fener Cafe (at the lighthouse) yesterday and read the complimentary British newspapers while sipping chilled drinks and watching the shuttle boats going back and forth to the beach clubs. A sleepy cat and dog slept under our table and nothing would awake them from their sleep, not even the noise of another cat catching a bird and running off with it in its mouth hotly pursued by a waiter trying to save the little sparrow. Shame.
Today is another trip to Kas to wander around the shops, seek some shade in the central gardens and watch the paragliders land on the harbour side. It's all busy busy busy ....
If you don't like waiting for my sporadic blogging, take a look at my more frequent updates on Instagram #themrsdanvers
Many of the restaurants are on rooftop terraces with views over the bay and the sunsets over the headland. I finally gave way and ordered my first dessert of the holiday at the Sade Terrace Restaurant one night which was deep fried icecream with caramel sauce. The immediate taste reminded me of another food I had eaten but I could not put my finger on it until the lightening bolt hit - Butterkist toffee popcorn.
The village is full of little cobbled streets, some with tables outside the restaurants where it is lovely to sit and people watch while you enjoy your glass of wine and delicioius meal. We ate at Salonika one evening with musicians playing traditional Turkish music at the next table. The food was devine. I had a chicken casserole with bulgur side and David had the lamb version. A tray of dried herbs and spices was brought to the table for us to add to taste - chilli, cumin, mint and oregano. A wonderful evening.
We've spent more time lazing around on this holiday than any other and one day we walked to the Indigo Beach Club for a day of sunbathing (shade bathing), swimming in the sea and a lazy salad lunch with ice cold beer in icy frosted glasses. They bring around complimentary Turkish tea and Madeira cake in the afternoon too. Our unexpected treat was one of the staff telling us that we could order free drinks paid for by one of the shop owners who was eating lunch and had spotted us sunbathing. Now that is the Turkish approach to people. So kind, generous and friendly. He owns a brilliant bag shop which I may have bought just a few items from over the years... no need to say anymore on that!
We've wandered around the weekly market again as there is no chance of avoiding it as the entrance to our hotel is on the road where the market is held. We didn't buy anything but a stroll into the village afterwards led me to buy a clutch bag (from the shop mentioned above) and a necklace. We pay in Sterling and I had none with me at the time. Both shop owners insisted that I took the items and paid them before I flew home. They know me from the years of visiting Kalkan but how trusting and refreshing is this approach. It is not the first time they have done this either.
We spent a while at the Fener Cafe (at the lighthouse) yesterday and read the complimentary British newspapers while sipping chilled drinks and watching the shuttle boats going back and forth to the beach clubs. A sleepy cat and dog slept under our table and nothing would awake them from their sleep, not even the noise of another cat catching a bird and running off with it in its mouth hotly pursued by a waiter trying to save the little sparrow. Shame.
Today is another trip to Kas to wander around the shops, seek some shade in the central gardens and watch the paragliders land on the harbour side. It's all busy busy busy ....
If you don't like waiting for my sporadic blogging, take a look at my more frequent updates on Instagram #themrsdanvers
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