BEING one of the editors of the Kusadasi Times is hard work but very rewarding. You get to help tourists and advise them of good places to visit and eat at, where they will enjoy themselves and you also get approached by some nice and interesting people here too.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Utku Bey as he kindly requested through a good friend of mine, Tansel Bey, that I pay them a visit. They are the only ones in Kusadasi that have just received a license to take their boat out for night trips. What started out as a group of a few turned into twenty people and they have since booked their own trips again which speaks volumes for what they thought of their night out. (Additionally word had got out and they had a total of seventy plus people on board on Saturday). Our own Editor-In-Chief Steve Screeton and crew have already planned their night out for their trip here in September!

This a large authentic Turkish boat with an entirely different approach that stands above the rest and they are always open to new refreshing ideas which is very evident. They decorate the boat with lasers at night so they literally, do ‘stand out’. Their sound system is also very high quality and seems to put everyone in a good mood as soon as they leave the shores.

The boat pulls out from the famous Pigeon Island about 10.30-11.00 and comes back at about 1 in the morning. (Therefore you get more than your money’s worth). There is a drink included in the price too and you would be surprised at how many people bring their children out at that time of night. There is also an area of generous soft cushions where children or adults can lie down and a changing room on board too. The safety standards are high and whilst everyone is having a drink and dancing the night away to mixed Turkish and popular music there is a crew on all areas of the boat that stands by, keeping a close eye on everyone. I personally made a point of checking this as I was on duty that night...

They truly live up to their ‘on board’ motto of, “QUALITY, COMFORT, & SAFETY”.

The actual boat is called the ‘Kalamaki’ and has three types of boat trips in total which I have listed for your perusal below:-

Day Trips: 10.00 A.M. – Returns at 16.00 P.M.
Sunset Trips: 19.00 P.M. – Returns at 21.00 P.M.
Disco Trips: 22.30 P.M – Returns at 01.00 A.M.

The day trips includes lunch and you are able to snorkel in the beautiful bays that the chaps stop in, and weather permitting they go up to Guzel Camli, the Milli National Park and near Samos. There is also chance to see the beaches that are around Kusadasi, and if you are a newcomer this proves to be very informative.

My husband’s business affiliate’s, family joined us with their children. Kamber Bey, the lovely Nezaket Hn, and their son and daughter, Ozan and Nazli had a thoroughly good evening. You can see Nezaket dancing the night away in the photographs with her husband Kamber Bey smiling on. Not only is she a special friend of mine but also the President of the charities Confederation for Turkey in Izmir. It was nice to see her enjoying herself and smiling so much as normally she is racing around helping so many less fortunate people in life. Jale D’ Jale couldn’t help but show us all that she still hasn’t lost her dance movessssssss from last summer and once her friend Timur got up on the decks there was no stopping him either. Our guests, Nurcan Hn and her young daughter Melina, laughed into the early hours and Nurcan seemed to take in all the beautiful scenery that the Kusadasi shorelines offer you.

Last but not least, ‘Big H’ made us all proud, as despite all his dancing and ‘get up, go go’ with his HUGE size he didn’t sink or even slightly tip the ‘grand’ Kalamaki... (A few of our group mentioned this, a lot, and shared comical concerns!)

If you are feeling particularly brave, they do stop on the night trip also and you can safely dive into the dark waters if you dare, there were some Belgium customers on board on Saturday that jumped in with ease and a young girl that didn’t even hesitate, (one for the girls). As everyone rushed starboard there was much laughter and gasping from all onlookers and rounds of applause that followed.

The Kusadasi Times would like to personally extend their special thanks to the Kalamaki and all their dedicated crew especially Utku Isik. His Uncle and the official owner and Captain, Metin Irmak was also a great pleasure to meet and a distinguished gentleman that puts emphasis on making sure all their customers are happy and well looked after in a safe environment.

If you are looking for an unforgettable night with your family and friends, please contact our office to make a booking and we will be only too glad to help. Whether it’s a day trip exploring turquoise bays here, watching a romantic sunrise with your partner or dancing the night away under the stars, you will not be disappointed and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND this team as they could never be any less than over helpful and hospitable.

When you are in the dedicated and most professional hands of Utku Bey you will have a ‘WHALE OF A TIME’!!! He’s a good, sound, nice guy with a very pleasant demeanour. Young but polite and experienced.
‘Selam Soyle’ (Say Hello) from the Kusadasi Times Team when you board...



Written: Peri. Tanya. Sekeroglu
Production Editor
Kusadasi Times Newspaper