Chris Evans, Voices Columnist 

Last year we published a piece on one of the unsung parts of Didim. Sağtur, is a beautiful place to spend a day and offers a lot to visitors. We know, from our contacts, the article led to an influx of people who got to see caretta caretta nests and, if they were lucky, the eggs hatching. The main feedback we received was how welcome people were made to feel, especially by the children of the cafe owners and the army of stray dogs.

Changes had already started when we published the previous article as a hard-standing basketball court had been installed. This winter has seen even more improvements appearing faster than Lewis Hamilton driving down Hangar Straight at Silverstone.

First, there’s new street lighting following the road along the left edge of the beach. This not only makes the area more welcoming when the sun sets in the evening, but also adds safety and security.

Second, the road through Sağtur, is in the final throws of being relaid. The drainage system has been completely renewed and updated underneath, taking away the issues of flooding whenever there was a spot of rain.

Our man on the ground has enjoyed the road being unpassable for a few weeks, as the dolmus has been stopping outside his front door, making life even easier. The work should be finished by the end of April, so he’ll have to take the short walk to the bus stop again.

The biggest change everyone will see is to the hotel. It’s under new ownership with some major improvements being made. There will be new restaurants, a huge stage area, and a completely renovated interior.

The first guests are expected from the 1st of May as the Prive Resort Didim opens. Watching the building work and talking to the people working incredibly hard, it certainly looks as though the hotel will be something to be proud of going forward.

There’s also building work going on around the shops and cafe area. It will be interesting to see what materialises over the coming year. It’s not intrusive work, but it promises further exciting times over the next couple of years.

Away from the beach, there’s also been changes. The shop and cafe at the end of 2991 Sokak has changed hands. The new owners have expanded the shop and are now working on improvements to the cafe area. Locals are already making it the centre of village life. It’s well worth a stop for a cay and to pick up any shopping you may have forgotten. We certainly saw a lot of laughter and friendship when we popped in.

A year ago, we highlighted Sağtur,as one of the hidden parts of Didim. It seems we weren’t the only ones to notice. The continued improvements are quickly turning this wonderful bay into the place to go for a day on the beach, a snack, or even to bump into some lovely stray dogs made famous by a certain author regularly found writing and drinking a cup of coffee (honestly, it’s coffee!!) at one of the cafes.