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Altinkum … If it wasn’t for Aunt Marlene’s recommendation of this
place, I may never have set foot on Turkish soil! Around five years ago,
when looking for a bargain half-term escape, the travel rep said we have an
amazing buy to Well, we didn’t end up
in Altinkum that time but we did land
in Marmaris and never looked back. Now at last, I
was about to discover the place that cast a magical spell over the retired
welsh widow. Ahoy, Altinkum … literally translated Golden
sands. Dusty carpetbags,
Apollo's temple and the blue rinse brigade … I think that about sums it up!
I’m only joking. But to the latent observer you wouldn’t be mistaken for
coming to the same conclusion. On the surface, it looks quite uninspiring.
Yet it does have something that many of the other Turkish holiday resorts
have lost. It’s still managed to retain its naivete.
Amazing really, considering how many tourists have
bathed on its wonderful shores. If you can imagine Altinkum came across as a place of habit
… once visited there was no going back. Whilst supping a glass of anatolian red with seasoned property developer Ayhan … he pointed out several customers,
that were even sitting at the same table they’ve sat at for years.
There appears to be a warm heart here … visiting tourists really feel it’s
home from home. Especially when they can buy at such incredible prices! Okay,
Altinkum has jumped up a little in the last year
but hey, when you can purchase a holiday apartment from as little as
10,000£ (second hand) whose grumbling. This is by far one
of the cheapest property purchasing resorts along the On the main beach road,
above the Ayhan’s business has grown over the last year,
due to their understanding of what the client wants, providing it and doing
it well! They have built their own luxury apartment blocks that are selling
like hot cakes. And I can understand why after going to view several … just
as good if not better than anything you’ll find in cosmopolitan Marmaris. And I should know after viewing most aparts throughout the summer in that resort. Ayhan has thought about every last
detail … 24hr security, own generators, natural water supply, community games
rooms and even all facilities for English TV channels. This is above and
beyond the norm in Their recent success has
enabled them to expand … now boasting a ten people workforce. But no problem,
you will get to meet charming Ayhan himself. He
assures me he makes it his policy to personally meet every customer. And I
believe that to be true, by the amount of people waving from balconies and
stopping to speak to him at his own new build apartment block. Our next Altinkum star … is Rose Yalcun.
Whilst browsing at properties in her emlak window,
she popped her head around the door with a lovely natural smile. Oh what a
pity I thought, great prices, great smile, genuine eyes but maybe only
Turkish speaking. Thankfully, I was proved wrong. Rose has excellent English
after working as a certified travel agent for many years. Even though she has
only recently hopped on the emlak wagon … her
husband Okan, is one of the first emlaks in this area with a working history of numerous
land and property sales over the last eight years. This husband and wife
team really know their stuff! If you’re looking for that genuine bargain …
here is where to come. Yes, you’ll have to pass by all the glossy emlaks with fancy furniture and fittings that
adorn every corner of Altinkum but you won’t be
sorry. When you can purchase a brand new detached villa with private
pool for under £50,000 it’s got to be good. And if you buy the land
and use their architect and building services the price gets even better! Hand written customer
testimonials adorned the desk and walls … both German and English. Many,
satisfied customers have passed through their warm capable hands. Rose went
to feed their new baby girl and Okan and I left to
dine on sumptuous aubergine and meatball kebabs at
their local food haunt … A small locanta
(Turkish eatery) tucked away in the back streets. Alas, it was time to
leave Altinkum. On arriving I thought this is not
my cup of tea … but on leaving I felt as if I was departing an old friend.
It’s not glitzy
and glam like Marmaris, there are no superficial
edges. What you see is what you get … a bit disheveled and unkempt like a bad
hair day in places. However, one thing you can be sure of, Altinkum is genuine … a place where you can relax and
just be yourself. I was definitely sceptical when
reading a local guidebook saying the area gives you a feeling of ‘limitless
freedom’. But it’s strangely true … I felt it. Staying for an extra
day, there was something about the ancient area of Didum,
that didn’t want me to depart. I found out why on the road leading out. Can
you believe it; I almost drove right past the third greatest temple of the
ancient world … the architectural twin of the no longer existing Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient
World! The As I walked in the warm
September sun around the colossal columns, accompanied by a few stray
tinkling goats … I wondered exactly what went on here. It wasn’t until I met a
local poet/writer in the neighbouring Akkoy certainly does have a strange
feel about it. An eerie place where ghosts walk its narrow cobbled streets
and cats do not sleep after midnight. Fancy buying into a
piece of history? Beware … Akkoy has uncanningly protected itself from foreign property buyers
with complicated tapus (house deeds) extending to
numerous family members. Continue on to the next village, Bankoy
to see if that takes your fancy … not quite as magical, but may do the trick.
Several brits have already successfully purchased
here.
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