Errrrrr. Ummmmm.

There's a shop. It sells old bread, new newspapers and smokes, not the shop, it doesn't smoke, it's not on fire, they sell cigarettes, they smoke.

Ummmm. Errrrrr.

That's it.

Oh yes, it's surrounded by forest, 5 mins from sea, real sea, for swimming. Fresh air, all the big noses go there as it's free fresh air.

I guess this will be a short thread as I think I'm the only one on EiT that lives there.

Where is it?

Right a bit from Kilyos.

North and left a bit from Koc University.

Turn right after Zekeriyakoy.

Will be having a party this summer, if anyone can find me.

I have heard some reports about a place called 'Golden Beach' out there, do you know it?

There are quite a few beaches "out here" (we're only 30 mins from Etiler you know, not on the bloody moon). I think all but one are private, and the one that isn't is a right sh*t hole in the summer, with everyone leaving their rubbish where they want. I don't know what Golden Beach is like, there's also one called Solar Beach, but I can tell you that if you are thinking of coming at the weekend this summer, you'll need to get up early and either return early in the afternoon, or late in the evening. The roads leading out of this area become car parks between 16:00 & 19:00.

There is a beach just ten minutes walk from my house, no idea what it's called but there is a famous fish restaurant (as if they are not all "famous"), I'll keep an eye on how crowded it gets and let everyone know if it's worth a visit.

there is this fish restaurant in demircikoy which i can't remember the name... it s a good one on the beach...

I'll try to find out tomorrow and post it.

i ve been there only once in spring.. but definitely will go there in summer again...

David old chap, it seems I'll be coming to Demirciköy on Saturday 26th with about 10 kids and accompanying families, nanny's etc. Can you suggest a good beach, or are they all really private apart from the shitty one?? Have promised the kids a BBQ and couldnt be arsed to to do the islands cos that will be as crowded as f*ck (just like the beach) but with the added hassle of crowded boats and bored kids. Therefore Kilyos emerged as new favourite, but some bright spark has suggested your manor.

Unless of course you're willing to host a bbq at your place in exchange for a bit of hanky panky??

Hmm, you say half an hour from Etiler but hours on the weekend, quite a difference, don't you think? So is that half an hour in mid-winter at 2AM at a period of time where there are no major roadworks anywhere around Maslak, and even the two rat runs around Maslak are ALSO closed off due to more roadworks?

He's on his high horse again! Actually, on my bike I am only 30 mins from Etiler, and even on a bad day during the week it's only 45 mins or so in the car.

Summer weekends are a different kettle of octopi though. It can take more than two hours just to get to Kilyos and getting back in the evening is worse.

I would definitely avoid the public beach at Kilyos, it gets massively overcrowded and with people just dumping their rubbish wherever they want it gets filthy too.

The one nearest me is called Uzunya Beach. The water and sand are clean and there's plenty of space for trainee adults to run around. There's also a restaurant called Uzunya, which apparently is quite famous, and is a nice place to eat in the evenings. I'm not sure when the beach "opens", with parasols and other beach stuff but it is accessible now free of charge. I suggest you find the restaurant's number and give them a call to confirm this.

Roger, ta very much like

I assume you mean motorbike, and I do not doubt that it takes less time on one than in a car. However the vast majority of people use 4 wheel motor transport, and not 2, therefore considering that during the week it can easily currently take 10 minutes just to clear Maslak between the Sanayi and the Istinye overpass, not to mention thse great choke points previously such as Bahcekoy and afterwards (and incidentally at 2 AM with no traffic speeding along that wonderful one lane road you'd be lucky to make it to that point in 15 minutes)......almost the entire Blvd down to the Etiler turnoff after I truly doubt at anywhere near "prime time" you could do it in 30-45 mins in a 4 wheeled conveyance, especially with all the current roadworks on anywhere near a regular basis.

[quote user="tallpony" post="90109"]I assume you mean motorbike, and I do not doubt that it takes less time on one than in a car. However the vast majority of people use 4 wheel motor transport, and not 2, therefore considering that during the week it can easily currently take 10 minutes just to clear Maslak between the Sanayi and the Istinye overpass, not to mention thse great choke points previously such as Bahcekoy and afterwards (and incidentally at 2 AM with no traffic speeding along that wonderful one lane road you'd be lucky to make it to that point in 15 minutes)......almost the entire Blvd down to the Etiler turnoff after I truly doubt at anywhere near "prime time" you could do it in 30-45 mins in a 4 wheeled conveyance, especially with all the current roadworks on anywhere near a regular basis.[/quote]

Well, the vast majority should get on to two wheels then.........

I do this journey everyday, sometimes on two and sometimes on four wheels. Only very rarely are there choke points anywhere (admittedly I get on to the main road after the Movenpick). True, because of the Maslak construction, the traffic does slow down, but it very rarely stops. After this there are only traffic lights, including one set where I wait to turn left (towards Bahcekoy). In Bahcekoy itself the only problem is people parking, there is never any congestion and it's never taken me more than two minutes to pass through. After Bahcekoy it's foot down stuff, to enjoy the nice twisty roads before arriving home for brandy and cigars. Lovely.

In fact, it's extremely rare that I need to stop for anything other traffic lights and the occasional hold-up where sheer weight of traffic slows things down.

Coming in the other direction is totally different. Heading into Istanbul, after 08:00 is a nightmare, with traffic from Maslak all the way to Etiler, but I leave early enough to avoid this.

There is also a back road, which get's you past all the Maslak / Levent traffic, but sssshhhhhhh, don't tell anyone.

I did Demircikoy to Emirgan in 25 mins on sunday night. thats with stopping for gas aswell.