Turkbuku Travel Guide

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I like Iber Beach Club at Iberotel Bodrum Princess hotel. It is a new hotel in its own bay caled Paradise Bay just 10 minutes away by car from the main village of Turkbuku. We went twice to the beach club during the day last summer. Both experiences were fantastic and enjoyable. The water in the bay is clean, the food is good and the drinks are very refreshing and nicely garnished. Fresh fruit is also served to guests in the afternoon. Music was great but a bit loud for my taste. It's really a good place to relax and the perfect bay to swim in. Parasols, seats are provided with the entry fee of about US$25. There is also a small sandy beach ideal for cnildren.

There are other beach clubs in the area: Tampa and Havana and many smaller ones right in Turkbuku's main bay - Maca Kizi, Granga, Nana etc. all competing for sun worshippers. They are all full for the main summer season for about 5 weeks.

The top top top club is Shipahoy and has been for years. A beach club during the day, in the evening it transforms to the hottest place to be.
White barrels act as bar tables and the few seats are bottle service only for the VIPs (which are plenty in Turkbuku) Large tip is needed to secure these. Hundreds of people, young and old, decend here ta night to drink the expensive cocktails (25 – 30 YTL each) and sort of shuffle to the great club music later at night interspersed with Turkish tunes.

Dress Code: trendy and sexy

One Friday night this summer in July, the police went along the beach clubs at around 1 am, stopped and music and checked IDs. I think this is a measure to discourage underage drinking and I think is a step in the right direction. So bring your IDs, don't drink if you are not of legal drinkin age and whatever you do, don't drive under the influence! There are also check points on the highway just before you enter and leave Turkbuku on weekends.

It's like the Turkrish version of Spring Break every late afternoon (around 5:30 - 8 pm) at Maki and the Na Na area where the loudest beach parties in Turkbuku are held on summer weekends . Both places seem to be the favorite hangout of the predominantly Turkish teens. And as there is no strict enforcement of alcohol consumption for only those of legal age, beer and stronger spirits tend to flow freely. Partying and having a good time is the name of the game. Imbibing and smoking incessantly goes hand in hand. But hey, why not have tons of fun and dance to the occasional celebrty DJ guest Serdar Ortac who spins on Na Na's decks for these loud and seemingly wild parties. When walking on the public path near these places, be warned - wear earplugs (music is sooo loud) and watch out that you don't step on someone splayed out on the floor! You may have to resuscitate a few of them along the way. I actually stay away from these areas during happy hour. You'll find me with my ears plugged to my iPod by the house pool reading and relaxing.

Luggage and bags: Chic, signature, canvas in the summer or those LV pvc ones that can withstand the humidity. You can buy cute beach bags in the commercial area that have regular items and posh boutiques with matching prices. I prefer something more practical but still oozes with chicness.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Ladies, everything has to coordinate if you don't want to be a wallflower in T-buku. Slides, sandals, strappy stilettos, bejeweled and metallic leather slippers in cool summer hues. Yes they have to have matching skimpy skirts, cute tops, bikinis, thongs, bags, watches and sunglasses plus hair accessories...or you won't look good in the Turkish version of Hello. OK that's taking it to the extreme. A hat is essential for those intense rays, 40 plus SPF sweatproof sunscreen, a trendy tunic and or a Pucci kaftan to cover up, a tattoo (fake is OK), Ray Ban sunglasses were everywhere this summer (what's up with that?), lots of cash and credit cards with high limits and a fun celebrity attitude. And oh, you'll need a boat to take you in other bays to swim since the water is Turkbuku tastes to me like it's laced with motor oil. Too many boats are parked there for the whole summer season it seems. Not good for the swimmers.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: a high SPF UVA/UVB blocking waterproof or sweatproof sunscreen, your homeopathic remedies from back home(drugstores "Eczane" there tend to be NOT well stocked),

Photo Equipment: Digital and waterproof.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: No one camps in the sense that they camp in the US. People however 'camp' at their favorite beach spots for the day. Be chic, be trendy, go over the top with your designer wear as long as you don't end up with too many tan lines. The trendier your stuff is, the more you fit in. I guess it depends if you follow trends. I like my own style thank you very much.

Miscellaneous: Younger (late teens) and twenty somethings tend to dominate the Maki and Na Na area in the afternoons. So watch out that you don't trip on them as they are splayed about near the public path.