OCTOBER 2009 OLU DENIZ
BLOG 6: Day 5 – decisions looming
This is ridiculous. Here we are on a spur of the moment one-week break in a place we’ve only just heard of, and we’re thinking of buying a villa here!! This sounds like me at my maddest. But I’m thrilled at the thought, dreaming of glorious sun-drenched times ahead in our own marble floored villa dream house. What is even more amazing is that OH is in this mad dream with me.
Today we are driven around the area – we see more of Fethiye and its beautiful harbour, the old city with its intriguing tourist shops full of exotic carpets, leather goods, spices, boxes of beautifully packed Turkish Delight, shops full of 'buy me' Turkish goods. I particularly like the intricate patterns on their ceramics. This is shopping paradise for my collector husband and it’s hard to pull him away. For lunch we are taken to the fish market where we choose our fish, have it grilled and sit under the trees to eat it – delicious. We see the abandoned Ghost village, high up in the mountains and eat freshly made pancakes cooked on an open fire by a weather beaten village lady. OH buys me a little rope and bead bracelet from one of the tourist set-ups nearby, which I know my students will love when I wear it to college.
We are also driven to Kemer and to Calis and environs to see some sites where Infinity is building various developments. Such beautiful scenery, with the mountains and the sea, and all unspoilt. Many of the roads are rough and unmade but that just adds to the charm. It’s all so romantic, unexpected and exciting.
Yes, I want to buy a holiday home in this paradise – and by his lack of protest, OH seems to be somewhat taken with the idea too. We’re not too keen on a complex with a communal pool, nor an apartment. We ask to be taken to the site where the 5 villas are to be built. We are driven to some land not far from the sea but we don’t have much of an idea of where we are in relation to other areas we’ve seen. We’re told it’s part way between Ciftlik and Koca Calis, not too far from Calis Beach and within 10-15 minutes walk to the nearest beach in Koca Calis. The area we are shown is nothing but a dug out, bare patch of scrubland really, but we have the plans in hand and walk around talking to Ozen, the guy Infinity have given us as a driver, guide (and salesman). He tells us that if we go ahead with the purchase of one of these five villas, we would have first choice as to which one but there are others also interested (of course). He sings the praises of Infinity as a solid reliable building company. We make a tentative choice as to which plot we’d like.
Back in our hotel, OH and I discuss the whole concept. Are we crazy? Yes! But I know very well, that now is the time, if ever, and if we go back to London, in the cold light of day, OH will be wearing his sensible hat. We’ll laugh about how close we came, but how good old common sense reasserted itself just in time.
Heck, time has slipped away. We’ll be going home in just two more days.
S from Infinity has arranged to pick us up for dinner later tonight. Evidently we’re being wined and dined at one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Calis beach area, it’s at the far end of the beach front, on a kind of peninsula, overlooking a little island (forget the name). Oz says he’s never been as it’s too expensive. I’m looking forward to it even though we are both fully aware that we’re being given ‘the treatment’.
We’re even beginning to feel entitled as we really, just might. . . actually . . .buy!
. . . to be continued - next Thursday or occasionally, earlier
