Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Feedback
4
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
My family consists of me, two cats and either one or two dogs (I foster so I'm never sure, as I have one of my own and sometimes foster one). My name is Carol, I'm English and I retired to Turkey in 2006. My days mainly consist of nurturing and maintaining my fruit farm which is my garden, not a commercial enterprise. There would be the opportunity to learn how to look after a variety of fruit trees and even eat the delicious fruit straight from the tree. I also work with the street animals in my village, feeding and caring for them. My home is in a very quiet area and I am surrounded by stunning scenery with a wonderful variety of wildlife in and around the place where I live.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Animal Care
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers would benefit from visiting Turkey, seeing what a beautiful country it truly is, meeting the locals and seeing what a lovely people they are. Also, it may be of interest for them to learn how I transformed my life when I came to Turkey from a desk-bound job to working on the land and how I have learnt to run a non commercial fruit farm since arriving here. The area where I live is not touristic at all and shopping at the local Saturday market is a great adventure. The local resort has predominantly Turkish visitors so it would be an all-round Turkish experience.
Help
My house is situated in 2000 sq metres of agricultural land. To the front of the house is a garden and pool. To the sides and back are fruit orchards and a small banana plantation. Help would be needed to cut back trees, control weeds and look after the bananas. There may also be small painting and maintenance projects around the house. Possibly help may be needed in laying weed matting and gravelling a few small areas of garden. Although my home is a fruit farm, it is not a commercial enterprise.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Turkish: Beginner
Accommodation
One comfortable and spacious double bedroom in a detached, single-story, self-contained villa, complete with air conditioning and private bathroom, with constant hot water for a shower or even a bath if preferred. The living area is open plan with a lounge, dining room and kitchen. Food will be provided but sharing of cooking and kitchen duties would be appreciated. If you would prefer to venture out alone, there are a good selection of lokantas and restaurants in the village and the local resort where a delicious meal is available at a reasonable price, all coupled with the renowned Turkish hospitality.
What else ...
There are many local places of interest, quite a few of which are served by a reliable bus service. The local resort of Akyaka has a crystal clear river running into the beautiful turquoise sea. Boat trips run to stunning, secluded bays, offering opportunities to swim and there is usually a stop at Cleopatra Island, a place of archaeological and historical interest. There is also the more touristic resort of Marmaris which is accessible by bus during the day. It is a busy resort with many bars and restaurants, boats moored in the marina, plus shopping malls, supermarkets and the covered bazaar. The local village is around a 20 minute walk and offers family run shops, lokantas offering local cuisine, and a bar. Of course there are also the tea houses that offer a real taste of the local culture and perhaps an opportunity to pick up a few words of Turkish. There are also two mosques, one at either end of the village, where you will hear the call to prayer sung in the most beautiful tones. There would also be the opportunity to meet the street dogs and cats, pet them, feed them and maybe get to know them a little. There is also a bus service to the nearest town which is Mugla. There are museums, street markets, a huge weekly market and old style Turkish houses giving a flavour of modern Turkey mixed with the traditional. The scenery in this area is stunning, as is the wildlife so a visit here would be ideal for anyone with a keen interest in photography. There are a lot of options for people who enjoy walking and taking in the views. My villa has a private pool which would be available for use during leisure time. What I would ask from anybody staying in my home is that they treat my belongings with respect, keep the rooms clean and help with the cooking now and then.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There is a lay-by outside my house that would comfortably house a VW sized camper van.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (2)
Carol’s garden is the place where you can see the result of your work almost immediately and this gives you a great pleasure. We grazed the grass and weeds with brush cutter, cut the citrus trees, cleaned the yard. There is something to do — garden always needs your attention.
We worked 5 days a week, 4-5… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Carol’s garden is the place where you can see the result of your work almost immediately and this gives you a great pleasure. We grazed the grass and weeds with brush cutter, cut the citrus trees, cleaned the yard. There is something to do — garden always needs your attention.
We worked 5 days a week, 4-5… read more
