Has Calis Changed - or is it Us?

[laffa]

Aww, just read some lovely posts on here, and they echo exactly what I feel, especially the one with nothing but fields on approach to the beach, made me remember why we fell in love with Calis, I almost feel like a bit of Columbus lol, and wanted to keep the place my secret escape, in the nicest way possible, I wish those of you that have fell in love with it more recently, could have seen it then, still not sure if we still have a love for it, or a loyalty to the love we once knew, (eek, soppy or what)

[desmartinson]

I hope he doesn't find it Jack, ive got money in there.  

[angela]

I agree it has changed and not always for the better, but then so has our nearest town Salisbury, which has a very 'Genteel' reputation, but I still don't like being around there on a Friday or Saturday night, and I have never had to dodge a pavement pizza in Calis either.
I love Fethiye and all it has to offer, but in the summer I still get such pleasure of turning into the river on the Water Taxi, looking for kinfishers etc, and I'm sure that will never change

[villain]

My first trip to Turkey was to Ovacik in 1992. Package holiday tourism was just beginning to take off at that time. We first stayed at the Ucel (now the redeveloped Grand Ucel with water park). We would walk to Hisaronu at that time mostly past fields of goats and in the pitch dark at night. We went back (to Hisaronu) in the following two years. We then decided it was getting "a bit too big". Hisaronu in particular was basically more or less doubling in size year on year, and we went to a few other places instead. One memory from then is that public address system they had all around Hisaronu. What was all that about?

Fethiye must have trebled in size over the last 20 years or so too.

First visit to Calis was only last year - 2013. If Calis has changed in a similar way to Ovacik/Hisaronu, then it's changed massively since then. Nowadays we find Calis excellent when you have youngish kids with you, so it suits us fine right now.

I'm also hoping to head back to Kayakoy for the first time in 20 years this summer. I hear there's been quite a bit of development there, which I find a little worrying, as it is a special place for me.

In all honesty, once we are without the kids again (possibly never...), we'd be tempted to head back to Kalkan where we had 3 great holidays in 2000/1. That place had just such a lovely atmosphere (but some odd hoteliers).

[Colwyn]

One memory from then is that public address system they had all around Hisaronu. What was all that about?

I visit a village that still has a public address system with loudspeakers in every street. I often wondered what news would be so important that all inhabitants (well all the Turkish speaking ones) had to be promptly informed. Then I was talking with a Turkish friend one day when the PA crackled into life and delivered its message. "What was that?" I asked. "Ali's trawler has landed today's fish".

[angela]

the first time I heard it I was convinced it was like an air raid warning. After that I decided it was the price of bananas on the market!

[echogirl1]

Even after quite a few years of hearing the loud speaker announcements, the dogs who live in the apartments in Calis, where we holiday, always howl until the speaker stops.  It must hurt their ears!!

[tonyb]

  :)I've always judged a holiday destination by how comfortable & safe Susan (my better half) & her sister Marilyn feel. We've been coming to Calis for about 9 years now, off & on. Although it has it's warts, I love thought of sitting somewhere on the front while waiting for Sue & her sister get ready for the evening. I always say to them " I'll be some where down the front on the left/right hand side.I'll see you in a while." They've never been hassled or felt ill at ease & in turn that makes me feel comfortable.  Sadly, you can't say that about too many resorts in Turkey i.e Marmaris (70 bars closed for 3 days for in June for hassling), Bodrum, Gumbet, His, Olu. We love Calis for what it is, largely unpretentious, the people and the fact that none of us have ever felt as comfortable & relaxed as when we're there. Some changes are always inevitable, you just have to either embrace them or ignore them in my opinion.

[mercury]

I think that the charities have made a huge difference to Calis.. There are The car boots, The Promises Auction, Spring Fair and Christmas Fair and various fun events which have massive turnouts and bring much welcome business and people from far and wide. There is now a charity shop and Table top sales.. All helping disadvantaged children and animals.  A lot of this was started by Pete and Chrissie having the idea of having a Carnival in Calis.  This grew into a yearly tradition along with a huge free concert.. A little acorn which grew and grew.  Some of the businesses may grumble but they don't turn away the welcome trade these charities bring...

[Highlander]

There are those who do, and there are those who don't