Just got back this morning from the lovely Bitez, flights all on time no problems.
Once again the hotel Manuela did us proud.There were 14 in our group this time and it was a first time for 8 of them, we haven't lifted a finger in the past two weeks and were treated like royalty. Our friends said it was the best holiday they have had and would love to return.
Oktay the owner really spoilt us and organised a private boat trip on his own boat twice with a captain and two lads to cook for us, it was areally good day and we had such good fun.
He also arranged a meal for us in Bodrum at the yaught club on the marina in Bodrum we had a lovely table up on the roof with breath taking views everything including the castle was lit up it took our breath away.

Oktay continues to improve the hotel and the new area in front of the hotel was welcoming with lots of big cushions and bean bags providing lots of shade when we needed it.He mentioned a new restaurant on the cards for next season which would be good, not only for customers but also for the staff making it easier for them to work.The existing one probably is a little tired but with a revamp could become first class considering its excellent position on the beach and the friendly and entertaining staff working there.As usual all our drinks and snacks were brought to us throughout the day, we got really lazy and found it hard to drag ourselves up to the rooms to get changed for dinner!
We found the hassle to be a little easier this year, they are either now realising that sales would probably rise without it or they have had a warning. Any banter that we did face was always light hearted and amusing so it was never a problem.
I must mention the Golden spoon restaurant where we were looked after by Charlie and the boys, the food was excellent and I would highly recommend it but am sorry to say that we had a disasterous meal at The Red Dragon and weren't the only people to say so.We couldn't eat any of the food ordered because everything was full of salt ?They said they had a problem with the chef cutting his fingers and agreed after tasting the food themselves that it was inedible and ran off gagging to the kitchen !!
To be fair to them they did offer to cook us more food but we just wanted to get away by then as the drains were starting to smell and added to the drama.I hope they can sort whatever their problems are out as last year in the same restuarant we had what we thought was one of the nicest chinese meals we had tasted.Which seems a shame.
Any way once again I would find it hard to think of a better place to spend a fortnight with my friends. Remarkably our teenagers still enjoyed being away with us, ok its a freebie but they could go off at night into Gumbet and Bodrum and party the night away safetly when they wanted to while we chilled in Bitez ( the complete opposite but near enough for them to get to and from, how good is that!)
All the staff said to say hi to all their friends on holiday truths Oktay says a special Hello to Briar and Ersun to mikenmarn .They are looking forward to seeing you all again soon.Charlie was home from the army so it was nice to see him .Argies pretty wife expects their first child in the spring. Hilarious Eric had his little girl and wife there for a few days and there was new barman( to us as he missed out last year )named John Travolta but we called him Bobby (can't remember why?)he was such good fun and smiled constantly.Yilmas was there too bless him entertaining us with his tricks.
I hope we can go back again next year too, my son won a week for two in the raffle and wants to go with his girlfriend next May ,lucky thing maybe he'll change his mind and take his mum, what are the chances of that happening eh ?
Mel.