Yeşilüzümlü, Muğla
20 km North-East of Fethiye
OK, here we go again...
Within an hour and a half of landing at Dalaman (a month ago!!!) I was put on a boat in Fethiye harbour, given a Turkish coffee and raki and told I was to going out with the diving crew for the day. No charge, just get some beer for the crew, which I did.
So my first day here consisted of swimming around in a pair of borrowed shorts and not being allowed to drink (diving boat with customers) until we docked back in Fethiye harbour at around 5 pm.
Chaos then ensued...
Supper was cooked, the beer opened, my landlady was duly picked up at the marina (having travelled from Santorini) and brought to the boat, more beer was opened and drunk and then the raki arrived...
We were eventually deposited at the villa at about midnight that night.
Apparently I took 10 minutes to get the key in the door...
10 minutes later I discovered the driver had gone off with my backpack containing, lap-top, camera, phone and passport... It took a week to get the bloody thing back.
Welcome back to Turkey!
The first 2 weeks or so here consisted of the usual meet-ups with old friends, new friends/acquaintances and finding out the latest gossip etc. etc. This was accompanied with the usual flurry of local red wine, white wine, beer, raki and the occasional coffee/tea.
During this time, having established my credentials with the diving boat crew (a good friend of mine is the captain, or something), I was able to have several days out on the water for the price of just a few beers.
The season has finished now, thankfully!
The real latest news here is that the national and local authorities have decided enough is enough and they are now going to demand from everyone, (including some locals), the proper tax levy that matches the property.
Just about everyone who bought or had built anything here in Üzümlü over the last 20 or so years had downgraded the details on the Title Deeds to reduce the tax liability.
Everybody knew what was going on, but it now appears the government has decided to implement an "Amnesty" and allow a 3 month period in which the property details can be upgraded and the tax liability adjusted accordingly. Fees (fines) apply, of course.
As you can imagine, this has caused a certain amount of consternation - certainly in the ex-pat community - and now a lot of them are having to declare the fact that have not been living in a cupboard for the last 15 years, but have actually had built a 2 storey, 5 bedroomed house with garage, pool etc. etc.
Some of the "Fees" are pretty eye-watering.
We have had to register the pool, (not on the original deed), but managed to get away with £100 for that.
We are just waiting to see if they notice there is a second floor of the building with 2 large bedrooms, bathrooms and balconies... 😅
Needless to say this is just another money grab from the government, but it is causing some hardship, even for some of the locals.
Because of the above, no construction work on the "garage" has been delayed, but next week I am going into Fethiye to order and buy the tiles for the floor.
Work on that should commence within a week or so.
Also next week I hope to start proceedings for obtaining my Short Term Residency permit.
Because I have to register an address here, I am, technically, going to have to rent a friend's villa for 3 months in order to obtain the proper paperwork. 2/3 weeks apparently and I should be OK.
I cannot rent the villa here, since technically, the landlady's Turkish partner does that for summer rental purposes... zzzzzzzzzzz
This will be a relief, since I haven't booked a return flight yet because I don't know where to land... could be here for some time if all goes well.
Apart from the work to the garage, my landlady has been persuaded by her Turkish business partner to replace all the tiling around the pool and terraces...I could be spending a month or so in the middle of a massive building site...
Since arriving here we have been on some great days out and had some lovely food, with some lovely people. I must say.
I haven't used the camera in anger yet, but I hope to post some pics in the future.
I'll have more time to indulge in that sort of thing once my landlady flies back to the UK this Sunday.
Believe it or not, all the local restaurants are gearing up for Christmas and the latest wheeze is that I have been volunteered to help the team cook Christmas lunch in our local bar for 30 people...
I am on bread sauce and sprouts/chestnuts duty... can't wait...😧
The weather, as per normal for this time of year is hot during the day (30˚C) and just above zero at night, 2 day's rain since I've been here.
I hope all is well with everyone and The Bell is still Ringing Merrily on High (I do miss the Guinness and you lot)...
I think that's enough waffling from me for now...here are some pics.
Updates as and when.
x
2 of the diving crew..pre Efes/Raki...
Leaving Fethiye harbour
We did spend a few hours in Göcek the other day,
you might recognise some of this Ian/Debbie...
Much has changed, as you can see.
Too smart by half...
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