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Dear %NAME%,

Welcome to the fourth Bodrum Bulletin, this issue we take a quick look at car hire and airport transfers - to help you get the best deal.

We also have some great web links for you in the PC Corner, a mouth watering wild boar recipe from Greg, and the usual blend of other useful information.

The Readers' Recommendations directory is also fully up and running, if you have someone to add, simply contact us and let us know.

We want to thank everybody that's emailed us with feedback and suggestions, please keep them coming, and if you have something to say, or would like to write an article, please get in contact.

David Good - Editor

• Yoga Yalıkavak - 9.30-11am, Yalıkavak (more information...)
  
  
• Mother and Baby Toddler Group - 9.30am-11.45am, Ortakent
  
  When? Tuesdays and Fridays
  Where? Ortakent Village
  Why? Great to meet other mums of all nationalities with young children and fab for the children to meet new friends.
  Cost: 8TL
  
  Location: Ortakent Village (map)
  Contact: Carole, 0252 363 85 28, 0535 519 57 54, caroleacar@hotmail.com

• Meet Özel Bodrum Hastanesi at Metro Supermarket
  From 10.30am to 7.30pm, we'll be at the Metro supermarket (next to Kipa). Come meet us and get a free blood pressure & blood sugar test.
  
  You will also get a special 10% discount coupon to be used once, for a specialist examination of your choice. And you can get information about our check-up programmes and our half-price Valentine’s cardiological checkup special offer.
  
  
• Free Book Exchange - 11am, Bodrum (more information...)
  
  
• Six Nations Rugby - Sue's Place, Gümbet
  
  Calling all rugby fans:
  
  All Six Nations Rugby matches can be seen at Sue's Place in Gümbet - Everyone Welcome! All matches will be shown until 21st of March.
  Come along to Gümbets' RUGBY TAVERN!
  
  France v Scotland, 15:00 match time, 16:00 Turkish Time
  Wales v England, 17:30 match time, 19:30 Turkish Time
  
  Location: Sue's Place, Gümbet
  Contact: Sue Ezbeg, sueezbeg@hotmail.com, 0252 319 574, 0532 708 08 89
  
  
• Valentine's Night - Tempo Restaurant and Bar, Gümbet (more information...)
  
  
  
• Valentine's Night - Uncle Festers, Gümbet (more information...)
  
  
  
• Valentine's Night - Köşede Restaurant, Yalıkavak
  
  Romantic Candlelight Dinner
  
  Come and celebrate Valentine's Day with us here at Köşede Restaurant, Yalıkavak.
  3 Course Meal for only 20TL
  Limited seating so early booking will secure a table. We look forward to seeing you on the 14th February!
  
  Location: Köşede Restaurant, Yalıkavak (map)
  Contact: Emrah, emrah_273@hotmail.com,  0536 948 47 66
  
  
  
• Valentine's Night - Our Secret Garden, Yalıkavak
  
  Join us for a special Valentine's menu...
  
  The menu is Beef Wellington served with mashed and roast potatoes, fresh vegetables and gravy or stir fried king prawns with either chips or rice and salad or vegetables. Followed by apple pie and custard or chocolate mousse. All for only 25TL
  
  We also have a large collection of English books available to borrow in return for a small donation towards helping street cats.
  
  Location: Our Secret Garden, Yalıkavak (map)
  Contact: June Barnes, june_barnes@hotmail.com
  
  
  
• Valentine's Night - Viras Restaurant, Yahşi
  
  Treat your Valentine at Viras Restaurant on Yahşi seafront, Ortakent.
  
  Steak Diane
  ****
  Fillet of Sea-bass
  &
  Home-made Strawberry Cheesecake
  plus
  Free local drink
  
  Only 30TL per person. BOOK NOW!
  
  Location: Viras Restaurant, Yahşi (map)
  Contact: 0252 348 3992, www.ortakentviras.com
  
  
• Valentine's Night - Balık Evi… love always
  
  Balık Evi, invites you to share your most special moments on Valentine’s Day
  with a special menu “Love Always”...
  
  Starter:
  Duvaklı Karides (Fried Jumbo Shrimp)
  
  Hot Starter
  Ay Isığında Sandal Keyfi (Roasted Mussels)
  
  Salad & Vegetables
  Sevgi Salatası (Mixed Green Salad with Mozzarella Cheese)
  Askın Sebzeli Hali (Vegetables Cooked with Olive Oil)
  
  Main Course
  Sea Bass Fillet with Almonds
  
  Dessert
  Aşkımızın Meyvesi (Chocolate Sauced Pear Cooked with Wine)
  
  Drinks
  35cl wine or 17.5cl Rakı
  
  Per Person: 65TL
  
  LOVE Songs from Bodrum Twins
  
  Valentine’s Day Prize Draw - prizes:
  1- Breakfast for two at MOZART CAFE
  2- Champagne
  
  Location: Atatürk Cad. No: 118 A Yalikavak Bazaar – Bodrum  
  Contact: 0252 385 32 19, 0532 311 45 12, yalikavakbalikevi@gmail.com
  
  
• ZAZULOUNGE Bodrum Presents...
  
  A special place for love, any day of the year. A warm welcome to all of you who feel and cherish love, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day of the year!

  Because a place created with love, and staff who love what they do, is the perfect spot for people in love. Just like Bodrum…!
  

  Location: Neyzen Tevfik Cad. No: 144/A Across Milta Bodrum Marina Shopping Mall  
  Contact: Zazu Lounge Bodrum, 0252 313 36 45

• Sunday Funday - 3pm onwards, Gümbet (more information...)
  
  
• Six Nations Rugby - Sue's Place, Gümbet (more information...)
  Italy v Ireland, 14:30 match time, 14:30 Turkish Time
  
  

• Mother and Baby Toddler Group - 9.30am-11.45am, Ortakent (more information...)
  
  
• Dot's Coffee Morning - 10.30am-12.30pm, Konacik - (more information...)

• Yoga Yalıkavak - 9.30am-11am, Yalıkavak (more information...)
  
  
• Turkish Language School - Bitez (more information...)
  
  
• Charity Quiz Night - at Uncle Festers, Gümbet (more information...)

• Bodrum Children's Library - 9.30am-5.30pm, Bitez (more information...)

• Yoga Yalıkavak - 9.30am-11am, Yalıkavak (more information...)
  
  
• Mother and Baby Toddler Group - 9.30am-11.45am, Ortakent (more information...)

• Bodrum Children's Library - 10am-4pm, Bitez (more information...)
  

• Sunday Funday - 3pm onwards, Gümbet(more information...)

• Mother and Baby Toddler Group - 9.30am-11.45am, Ortakent (more information...)
  
  
• Dot's Coffee Morning - 10.30am-12.30pm, Konacik (more information...)
  

• Yoga Yalıkavak - 9.30am-11am, Yalıkavak (more information...)
  
  
• Turkish Language School - Bitez (more information...)
  
  
• Charity Quiz Night at Uncle Festers, Gümbet (more information...)

• Bodrum Children's Library - 9.30am-5.30pm, Bitez (more information...)

• Bodrum Hash House Harriers - (more information...)

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 Private Turkish Lessons for all Levels

Using structured but logical and enjoyable teaching techniques, I will help you improve your Turkish language skills at a pace to suit you, either in a group or a one-to-one lesson.

I am an experienced Turkish language teacher living in Yalıkavak, and will teach anywhere on the Bodrum peninsula.

For more information please contact me via email, or via my mobile between 2pm and 9pm.

Contact: Tansu Usal, tansusal@hotmail.com, 05325752356 

Have you used this business? Add a review now!

Özel Bodrum Hastanesi: Half Price Cardiological Checkup

Extra special campaign for Valentine's day

From Valentine's day to the 14th of March, our Cardiological checkups are half price; ONLY 325TL

Cardiological checks by Dr. Nejat Sönmez, include; Echo & Stress Test, ECG, Chest X-Ray, Complete Blood Count, Sedimentation (ESR), Fasting Blood Glucose, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), Urea, Creatinine, Trigylceride, Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Calcium, Potassium, Homocystein, and Sodium tests.

Contact us now for an appointment.

Location: Özel Bodrum Hastanesi, Bodrum
Contact: Deniz Gökova, d.gokova@ozelbodrumhastanesi.com, 0252 313 65 66/444

Have you used this business? Recommend it now!

Özel Bodrum Hastanesi: Caring for Your Beauty and Your Health

We are happy to announce a new service available:

Acupuncture and Botox performed by Dr. Yelda

What is this?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine-free method which heals some diseases by needle puncturing to specific body points.

It is frequently used for treatments of: migraines, asthma, gastritis, constipation, depression, sickness or vomit during pregnancy, obesity, weight loss, pain management, smoking, and sweating among others.

One session: 70TL (special off-season price)

Botox is a toxic medicine, used in minimal dosages, to get rid of wrinkles caused by mimics, for a couple of months. Price depends upon which area you wish to treat.

Contact us now for an appointment!

Location: Özel Bodrum Hastanesi, Bodrum
Contact: Deniz Gökova, d.gokova@ozelbodrumhastanesi.com, 0252 313 65 66/444

Have you used this business? Recommend it now!

Voice Studio at Karsanat
 
The Karya Culture and Art Association (KARSANAT) has started the first Voice Studio in Bodrum.

Gülderen Erdoğmus, the renowned soprano and President of KARSANAT, is giving voice training lessons at KARSANAT, which include:

1. Basic vocal and breath techniques
2. Intonation and articulation
3. Interpretation and style
4. Music theory
5. Singing with piano accompaniment

Repertoire areas including; opera, oratorio, operetta, musical, and jazz.
 
Teaching languages: Turkish, English, and German
 
Location: Dr. Mümtaz Ataman Cad, Alaiyeli Galip Efendi Sokak No.13/1, Kumbahçe Mah
Contact: www.karsanat.org.tr, 0533 454 93 39

Have you used this business? Recommend it now!

For Sale

• Kelebek 3 seater settee, 2 arm chairs and foot stool all with removable covers cream and fawn stripe  - 550TL
• 6 dining chairs to match the above 2 plain cream 3 cream and fawn stripe  300TL
• 1 double mekan divan bed  - 50TL
• 1 single bed pine frame and second bed pulls out to full size single (no mattresses included)  100TL
• Brand new travel cot - Elle complete with box 90TL
• Brand new high chair - Chicco 75TL
• De humidifier Dry Home 50TL
• Wrought iron base for dining table 5TL

Soba Wood Burner for Sale

Nearly new (2 months old), hardly used. Excellent and cheap way to heat your house in the winter months. Reason for sale; moving house. 150TL o.n.o.

Location: Bitez
Contact: Penny Yamak, pennymarie1@msn.com, 0539 550 50 36

For Sale: 1998 Suzuki Samurai

1300cc, TÜV (MOT) Until January 2011, white with chrome wheels.
Excellent condition, 8500TL

Contact: Linda, lllindahall@hotmail.co.uk, 0252 367 17 50, 0537 737 84 76  

Looking for a Home!

CADI is a 2 year old, neutered female half german shepherd dog. She is a very good guard dog & very loyal too. Extremely shy & well behaved. She has basic on leash training. She grew up as an outdoor dog but can easily become an indoor pet too. She comes with her hut, bowl, blanket and her favourite toy.

Contact: Rosemary, romadog2@yahoo.com, 0252 385 29 97, 0533 493 90 05  

Res Property Management

Res Property Management is here to assist you with all your property needs. Whether it's an investment or a holiday home, we know how valuable your property is to you. We offer excellent customer service with friendly, trustworthy and helpful advice.

To find out more, contact us, or visit our website: www.respropertymanagementservice.com.

Contact: Samed Sel, Samedsel@respropertymanagementservice.com, 0252 316 06 26 

Have you used this business? Recommend it now!

Personalised Greeting Cards

Beautiful laser printed, personalised greeting cards available for all occasions. All you need to do is call with your requirements and they will be produced for you. Handmade cards also available.

Contact: Sue Wilson, kennynsue@hotmail.com, 0538 500 16 53  

Have you used this business? Recommend it now!

For Sale: Artificial Fig Tree

I have an artificial "FICUS ELASTICA" (fig tree). It is extremely life-like and is approx. 6' tall.

I have decided that it is too large for my apartment and am thinking of selling. It cost 195TL and was purchased at TEPE HOMES in the Oasis centre in Bodrum. I have the receipt.

Anyone interested at 150TL. I am at my apartment in Yalıkavak for a couple of weeks during April '09.

Contact: Raymond North, raynorth@btinternet.com, +44 (0) 7901842701

Language Services

Language lessons, proof reading, translations and language interpreting.

German - English - Turkish - French - Greek

I am a sworn interpreter at 4. Noter, Bodrum.

Location: "ATELIER - Galerie" Karakaya Sokak no 22, Bodrum (map)
Contact: Bettina Franckenberg, 0252 316 31 64, 0534 521 19 29, info@bodrum-consulting.com

Have you used this business? Recommend it now!

Repeat Classifieds:

• Textile Arts & Crafts Courses
  (more information...)
  
  
• Yoga classes with Melek - All levels
  (more information...)
  
  
• Attractive Ground Floor Flat for Rent 280EUR/month Central Bodrum
  (more information...)

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A Word About the Bodrum Bulletin Website...

Please note that there is now a login system on the Bodrum Bulletin website. This is to allow better control of elements of the website (e.g. who can add reviews, or who can add businesses to the directory). Membership to the website is FREE, and is not compulsory, however as more features are added to the website, I suggest that you register now to ensure you get the full potential of the website.

Note that your website login is NOT linked in any way to the newsletter subscription. You must subscribe to the two systems separately.

• To register as a member to this website, go to: http://www.bodrumbulletin.com/community/component/user/?task=register

To login to the website, click the "Member Login" black bar at the top right of each page.

Useful Links
This issue, I thought I'd share some of my most used links. If you have a good link you'd like to share, why don't you let me know, and I'll keep a list of links on the website at: http://www.bodrumbulletin.com/community/links

• Weather
  There are lots of sites offering weather forecasts, and I've tracked most of them over the last year, but when comparing the forecast and current weather with actual weather, two stand out from the others:
• • Weather-forecast.com - simple, clear layout
    
  • Windguru.com - more advanced layout, great wind information
    
    
• Flights
  • Skyscanner - The flight comparison site that works... (covers AegeanFlights, ThomsonFly, FlyThomascook, and easyJet flights)
  • Pegasus Airlines - Flights from Stansted (currently via Istanbul)
  • Cyprus Turkish Airlines - Direct Flights from Stansted
    
    
• Turkish Forums
  Forums are a great way to keep in touch with other people with similar interests, and to share information
  • Turkish Living Forum - one of the biggest Turkish Expat forums. Don't forget to say hello and introduce yourself!
    
    
• News/Information sites
  • Hurriyet - National Turkish newspaper, in English
  • Today's Zaman - National Turkish newspaper, in English
  • Fethiye Times - A good source of information for expats all over Turkey
  • Antalyaexpats - Another good source of information for expats all over Turkey
    
    
• Shopping:
  • Sahibinden - A "For Sale by Owners" website. Great for cars and houses
  • NeKadar - A good price comparison website for on-line shopping in Turkey
    
  • Gittigidiyor - The Turkish eBay
    
    
• Entertainment:
  • Bodrum Cinema - Online guide to what's on at the Bodrum Oasis cinema
    

More Articles:

• Problems with MSN/Live Messenger and SPAM?
  
• Virus Scanners
  
• Clean temporary files from your computer
  
• Defragmentation
• Creating an Email Account - Gmail

If you'd like to know more, would like a certain topic covered, or have questions, please contact me at dngood@gmail.com

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With a new season starting soon, we thought we'd take a quick look at car rental companies. Two weeks ago, we contacted 22 rental companies in and around Bodrum. All received an identical email, from an address not associated with the Bodrum Bulletin, we did not ask for a discount.

Of the 18 that have replied, here are some interesting highlights:

• Basic Fiat Palio/Albea/Clio daily rate: cheapest: 35TL, most expensive: 80TL
• 12 of the 18 companies offered a free child's car seat, others charged up to 11TL per day
• Bodrum Airport to Yalıkavak Transfer - Cheapest: 72TL, most expensive: 143TL
• Dalaman to Yalıkavak Transfer - Cheapest: 216TL, most expensive: 422TL
• Izmir to Yalıkavak Transfer - Cheapest: 216TL, most expensive: 422TL

For full details of what we asked for, together with more details about the replies, and other classes of cars, please click HERE.

Our advice - stick with a rental or transfer company you trust, but use this table to get better prices from them - if they value your loyalty they should match competitors prices. Don't forget that prices will vary across the season, and that the cheapest supplier in May, may not be the cheapest supplier in August. Also remember that you should expect discounts for long rental terms.

Please remember that cheapest isn't usually the whole story. If you can personally recommend a hire, or transfer company, why don't you let us know so we can add it to the Reader's Recommendation Directory?

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Wild Boar is cheap and readily available in most areas, just befriend a local hunter and for a few TL you can fill your freezer. Now a word of warning wild boar and domestic pig carry pathogenic bacteria called trichinosis, so make sure you always cook properly so as to destroy these bacteria.

Try to get a female boar for your meat as the males taste much gamier. A good marinade will break down the elastin and collagen in the meat making it much more tender. Keep in marinade for 4 to 7 days.

For the Marinade:

1 bottle red wine
4 tablespoons vinegar
chopped onions and root vegetables
bay leaves
peppercorns

Cover the meat with marinade and keep in fridge for a couple of days. The loin of the wild boar is the meatiest and tastiest part, so try this dish.

Loin of wild boar grand veneur

Marinade as above, then cover the loin in best back bacon (yes, I have best back bacon for sale just contact me for details), saving the marinade for later. Roast the loin of boar in the oven for 50mins per kg on about 180 degrees.

Using a short pastry, make blind baked tartlettes. When I say blind baked I mean bake without filling, so instead of cooking with a filling, fill the tartlettes with dried beans to stop the pastry from rising. Once they are cooked then fill them with a black cherry filling, just black cherries and a little black cherry jam.

Once the meat is cooked remove from oven and leave to relax. Take the oven dish and add the marinade to the dish and cook and stir on a high heat. Reduce the mixture by half and then thicken with cornflour, strain to remove any impurities and then add some black cherries, season with salt and pepper.

Slice the loin of boar and then place a cherry tartlette with the meat and cover meat with sauce. You now have a professional dish of wild boar, hope you enjoy. Bon Appétit!

Contact: Greg (The Sausage King) info@thesausageking.co.uk, 0534 650 61 54 or 0536 571 60 70

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We now have a few recommendations in the directory, please click the links to view the reviews, or to place your own review. Note you will need to be logged into the website to view the records.

Current Readers' Recommendations:

• Builders
  • Unal Agkoc (view or add a review...)
  • Bodrum Home Care (view or add a review...)
• Curtain and Material Shops
  • Premier Home (view or add a review...)
• Electricians
  • Huseyin Celik (view or add a review...)
  • Bodrum Home Care (view or add a review...)
• Gardeners
  • Huseyin Celik (view or add a review...)
• Handymen
  • Huseyin Celik (view or add a review...)
  • Unal Agkoc (view or add a review...)
  • Bodrum Home Care (view or add a review...)
• Plumbers
  • Huseyin Celik (view or add a review...)
  • Zeki (view or add a review...)
• Pool Maintenance
  • Huseyin Celik (view or add a review...)
• Turkish Language Teacher
  • Tansu, Yalıkavak (view or add a review...)
• Vet
  • Animana, Yalıkavak (view or add a review...)

To recommend a business (or an individual), just email us at editor@bodrumbulletin.com. Don't forget, all businesses will be considered - from plumbers, handymen, carpenters, cleaners and lawyers, to curtain shops, furniture suppliers, hairdressers, hamams, and language teachers, but please - no restaurants or bars for the moment!

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If you have a question about any aspect of life in Bodrum, let us know and we'll post it to this section as an open question. But here's the important bit - we need your help to answer the open questions; so please don't be embarrassed - send us your questions, and answers.

Unanswered Questions:

Q17: Our TAPU (title deeds), has the "Kat Irtifaki" box ticked. Can anyone tell me what this means, what the implications are, and if applicable - how to change this; we believe we have a copy of the habitation certificate.
A17: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

Q16: Does anyone know if there is a Christian Church in Bodrum?
A16: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

Q15: Does anyone have seeds or cuttings of Chilean Jasmine (Mandevilla laxa) or M. splendens 'Alice du Pont' that they want to get rid of, or know where I can get some?
A15: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

Q14: I have a Panasonic CD player which I bought over from the UK. Since I transported it a 'click' has developed when it plays CDs. Does anyone know where I can get this looked at or fixed?
A14: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

Q13: Has anyone found a way to get from Izmir airport to the bus station (and vice versa) without using a taxi?
A13: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

Q12: Can anyone recommend a good English speaking solicitor to give us some advice on making a will - we have 2nd marriages with 2 lots of children so it's rather complicated!
A12: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

Q10: What costs are involved with obtaining a habitation certificate - I am being charged 1350TL for a property on Alexander Hills - is this normal?
A10: Know the answer, or have any advice? let us know!

New Answers:

Q8: There is a ship that sails from Istanbul to Bodrum I believe once per week . It looks like a large old ship with big white sails but I believe is new and has only been sailing for  a couple of years. I have only seen it from a distance but am trying to find out what it is called so that I can book it. Does anyone know anything about the company that run it?
A8: I think this may be the "Star Clipper" boats - http://www.starclippers.com/, but as far as I know, they do not sail between Istanbul and Bodrum.

Q9: Can anyone recommend an English speaking lawyer who is familiar with employment law?
A9: I would suggest that you use an accountant, they know more than a lawyer would regarding employment laws -- Jill

Q11: When is the best time of year to see the flamingoes in the Tuzla area?
A11.1: The best time to see the flamingos is middle of November through to the about the 2nd week in January although they will be moving on by then -- Brenda
A11.2: I think the best time to see the flamingos is November through to February.  We were there last November, take the road signposted Boğazaci, and there were a few hundred, but before that we had visited in late January and there were thousands of flamingos, as well as herons and pelicans -- Gill
A11.3: Last year we were at Tuzla in late September and the flamingos were just starting to arrive. the year before we were there at the end October beginning of Nov and there were some then so looks like Sept/Oct/Nov but possibly later as well -- Linda
A11.4: There are hundreds of them there right now!! -- Louise, Smile Property Management

Old Questions:

Previously answered questions have now been archived to the Q & A section of the website:
http://www.bodrumbulletin.com/community/questions

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Some more language crosswords for you. Remember, the clue is a Turkish word, the answer is the translated word into English. For example, if the clue is "Merhaba", the answer is "Hello".

Note that the crosswords are designed to be filled in online, but each page has a link to print versions if you prefer a printed version. Have fun!

New crosswords:

• Meat & Seafood
  
• Transport

Archived crosswords:

• Colours
  
• Numbers - 1 to 20
  
• Animals
• Fruit & Vegetables

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Found something you want to tell others about, or do you want to pass on some important information to others? Let us know now!

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