My subliminal efforts, through the Voices columns, seem to be working. I have friends coming to visit. I’d love to think it’s because they want to see me, but the reality is they probably want to see the beautiful area we live in and have a beer without having to brew it themselves. They live in the driest of dry countries, Saudi Arabia.

Their imminent arrival has made me turn my thoughts to how to keep them entertained while here. It’s a mistake we all make when friends and family come to visit. We miss them so much; we want to give them the perfect holiday. We forget it’s their holiday and the main reason they’ve come is to see us.

I learned about this common mistake the hard way. I previously had two university friends come to spend a week here. I was so focused on them having a good time and seeing everything Didim offers, I almost forgot to spend time catching up with them.

Of course, I want them to experience Apollon Temple and Miletus, but it’s a little on the warm side at the moment. Maybe those experiences are best saved for a return winter trip.

We could go for a day on a party boat. After all, letting what little hair we have left down can never be a bad thing. It’s also easier than asking our editor-in-chief to buy me a boat. He won’t. I asked! We can see some beautiful coastline, swim, party, and have a few beers.

We can visit the shelter and take the dogs for a walk. I know the efforts would be appreciated and, as my friends own a pet shop, it would prove to be a perfect morning.

We could sample food from around Didim. We have some wonderful restaurants, especially if we visit Mavisehir, Sagtur, and the marina. There are also plenty of good places in Altinkum and on the walk up Ataturk. Third beach for a Turkish breakfast is always a treat. As they live in Saudi Arabia, a bacon sandwich at Yas Inn or Muddy Murphys maybe in order.

I’m over-planning already. It’s because we truly have so much to offer visitors. Our beaches are beautiful. We’re surrounded by history. There are so many options for having fun in, or on, the water. We have concerts and live music everywhere you turn.

We have to address the elephant in the room. Things are noticeably more expensive. In truth, they are globally. The money people once had no longer goes as far. We’ve all noticed it. Businesses haven’t put up prices to make more profit. It’s purely costs have risen for us all wherever we live in the world.

The extra expense this year is worth it, as it gives us time with the friends and family every expat around the world misses.

For us, introducing my friends to the Stray Army will be fun. It will seem like kindred spirits meeting. After all, aren’t all expats a little stray?

One thing I know is there’ll be tears of happiness when my friends arrive and tears of sadness when they leave. It’s the eternal downside of being an expat. There are many advantages to the life we’ve chosen, but we all miss our friends and family. Technology makes things easier, but nothing beats a hug from those we love.

So, roll on a week with madness, mayhem, and plenty of laughs. If things go awry, maybe I’ll be the subject of a story in Voices, rather than writing one!

If you have friends and family visiting, send us some photos of your activities around Didim and we’ll post as many as possible on social media.