Turunç Diary - April 2020

Merhaba

As we are entering our fourth total lockdown since this virus struck, we are not allowed out at all: it certainly is a different start to the season.

The streets have had a "bit" of a wash and, just in case we didn't know, Marmaris Belediye erected a sign. The Jandarma are out and about telling us all to Evde Kal! Stay at home! and are enforcing the over 65 and under 20 year old rule, especially at the Monday market which is vastly reduced. All fruit and veg is pre-packed as it is in the supermarkets. Masks have to be worn at the market and when entering any shop and social distancing is in place, same as in the UK. Fortunately during lockdown bread is being delivered to most homes.

Our third lockdown was for four days which started at midnight on 22nd April as 23rd was Children's Day. Usually the children celebrate this at school with shows and dancing but this year they stood on their balconies at 9pm singing as the Belediye drove round the village playing the National Anthem. Despite the four day lockdown, for the first two days we were allowed to walk out for essentials between 9am and 2pm. Rumours abound that these weekend lockdowns will continue until the end of May, that the village will hopefully open up earlier than that and that over 65's will be allowed out at the weekend for 3 hours while the rest of us are in! The feeling in the village is that we may slowly start to open after Ramadan for the Şeker (sugar) Bayram holiday which is 24-26 May this year.

Further afield in Marmaris wildlife is returning!

Now for the village update, as it was before all was put on hold.

As you come in to the village the old Physkos villas that have stood empty for years are being totally renovated and are looking great.

Next along we have the old Surmen Restaurant which has been taken over by Sezgin from the Yalı and will be known as Yalı Beach.

The area next to Fidan Bar are hoping to do fish related dishes and across the road (just down by Çınar) Emine, from the firin (bakery), has opened a dried food shop. She is also doing ground coffee.

Esa from Surmen Restaurant has taken over Nehir Restaurant. This is up the side road from the tea garden towards the bakers.

Along from the bakers in the new building we have another Şok supermarket.

Cem Silver and Cengiz watch and sunglasses have teamed up and are moving to the gift shop that stands next to the Palette Bar.

Down at the harbour Çardak Restaurant has been split into separate units and the stairs to Es Restaurant have come down. As we are not allowed near the beach or harbour at the moment, I don't know what's occurring there.

Along the front Körfez has knocked down their front wall and Oba has installed glass doors to the inside part of the restaurant.

Here's hoping, hope you are all keeping well and hope to see you back in beautiful Turunç in the not too distant future.

Gürüşürüz!