Gobble Gobble.

I’m back in Tel Aviv after my 3 weeks away in Greece and Turkey. Continuing the story in Turkey.

After leaving Athens I flew to Istanbul.

Happy me to be leaving Greece.

My stop over in Istandbul airport before flying to Antalya to the south.

From Antalya I meet up with some others working on the rally and we drive to Kemer, about 40 minutes further down the road. Orange County is the name of the hotel we stay at. It’s modelled after Amsterdam railyway station and the buildings of Amsterdam. It has about 600 rooms, a large swimming pool, numerous restaurants and shops, a fake redlight district and too many Russian tourists on holidays. More on that soon.

Part of the hotel complete with windmill.

Why anyone would replicate Amsterdam in Turkey for Russians is beyond me. The surreal feel of the place was strangely entertaining. Eurotrashy is a word that comes to mind. The Russian women were attractive enough, showing lots of leg and wearing tight dresses that screamed of factory outlet sale designer ripoff. Most of the husbands/boyfriends were dorky looking, probably mafia. With that in mind I was content to look and laugh but not touch. I was thrilled to have a nice hotel room with a large bath!

Ahhhhhh… that’s good!

Zzzzzzzzz……

Huh? What??? Bubbles…getting.. higher!!!

Help!!! Room service!!!! Garcon!!!

The front of the hotel.

The side of the hotel along the pool front. Building facades replicate Amsterdam complete with leaning blocks.

Silly Russians pose for photos. Highheels are worn everywhere, breakfast lunch and dinner. They all think they are models.

The fake redlight district in the hotel. Why????

The hotel seen from the jetty.

\ nice Russian bottom seen from the jetty. I like the jetty.

Some Russian mafia WAGS (Wives and girlfriends). I had to run really fast after taking this one as I was being chased by some ugly Russian mafia dudes.

My job on the rally was to compile footage together for various international clients. Cars of certain manufacturers or drivers were sorted out and assembled to a video tape. I also had a German client I had to edit a program for. Luckily he spoke English so was able to direct me. The program though was all in German. Yah…was ist goot fir me. I wast a goot editoor yar??!!

Working with Norman the German client. Don’t I look happy.

After work one day I walked back to the hotel with a friend Ian. We passed a bar with swinging hammocks for seats. Why not.

After out swinging drink we got back to the hotel just in time for a foam party down by the jetty. A foam party is where the whole dancefloor is flooded with washing-like foam, shot out via a large machine similar to an oversized fog machine. Without thinking Ian and I jumped in, clothed and carrying our bags.

Jukka, also working on the rally, helps some young ladies from slipping over.

I also assist a young lady. the floor is slippery. Don’t want them hurting themselves.

I like this photo becuase….

The rest of the time in Turkey was really just spent working and perving at Russians in the hotel. By no means was this the real Turkey (thank god!) and unfortunately I had no extra time to see other parts of the country. Come Monday 16th June I left, flying back to Tel Aviv via Istanbul.