Turkey (2)!

[ChristoT]

Continued from http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8271.0.html :


[smg id=943 type=preview align=center caption="The island in Keci Buku"]

The next day, we sailed across to Simi to stock up on cheap booze and pork!

[smg id=944 type=preview align=center caption="Approaching Simi"]

When in Simi, I decided that seeing as I was on holiday, and seeing as Exup in particular wanted some good pics of the trip, I decided to hire a scooter for the day and explore the island. At 15€, it was very much worth it! In true Greek style, helmet rental was optional...

[smg id=948 type=preview align=center caption="The rented 'ped, Rhodes in the background"]

[smg id=945 type=preview align=center caption="Simi harbour"]

[smg id=946 type=preview align=center caption="A better view"]

[smg id=947 type=preview align=center caption="Pethi bay. We often anchor here. Note Turkey in the background"]

About 45 minutes later, I got to the South end of the island. Apart from the phenomenal view, the smell was incredible. The air was so thick with the smell of wild sage and thyme, you could almost cut it! You got the impression you could almost smell the sunlight too. It was incredible. And talk about a stunning view!!

[smg id=949 type=preview align=center caption="Panormittis bay , Rhodes in the background"]

[smg id=950 type=preview align=center caption="On the way back - Pethi to the right, Simi harbour the left"]

[smg id=951 type=preview align=center caption="Emborio, just to the west of Simi's main harbour"]

[smg id=952 type=preview align=center caption="Simi harbour, seen from the west"]

Sadly, the next day, we had to leave to head back to Marmaris.

[smg id=953 type=preview align=center caption="Leaving Simi"]

[smg id=954 type=preview align=center caption="Bye, Simi..."]

Dad and I dropped into Loryma for lunch with Tazeena.

[smg id=955 type=preview align=center caption="Tazeena"]

Tazeena is an incredible woman. After a very distinguished career working in set design, she retired and continued her other great passion in life: sailing. Although over 70, she still single hands her 38ft Freedom rig ketch, Bathsheba Everdene. She is also my adopted grandmother!

Actually, that lunchtime was rather dramatic. After a good lunch, Tazeena was planning to anchor off the pontoon where we had both moored. I offered to help, with Dad then casting Mianda off alone, and coming alongside for enough time for he to hop back onto Mianda before dailing on to Marmaris.

Didn't quite work out like that. As it so happened, as we were casting off, by a stroke of incredibly bad luck, the mooring line fouled Tazeena's propellor. I had to strip to undies, hop overboard and clear it. But after I cleared it, Tazeena found she couldn't turn the wheel, and the prop wasn't engaging. A second look told us the rope had pulled the propshaft out!!  :eek

After a quick chat with Dad, he continued on up to Marmaris alone (no choice, Mum was returning the next day; he HAD to be there) while I stayed to help Tazeena. I hopped back into the water, and to my delight and horror, the prop shaft slipped back in, easy as you please, and the engine reengaged. We took stock, and decided to motor up to either Bozburun or Keci Buku, places where she could get expert help. Loryma doesn't even have a proper road (if any) leading to it.

Tazeena and I motored up to Keci Buku, a 5 hour trip in very sloppy seas, me helming Bathsheba by hand, standing up for most of it. We motored, as we were worried that if the propshaft could fall out again if it stopped turning, and pushing forward (and in, effectively)! We eventually got there, and I got a lift back to Marmaris from a friend. Poor Dad had a very tiring trip too, sailing solo downwind (jib up only) in force 6 / 7 on the Beaufort scale with some difficult gybes to contend with.

But back to Marmaris. We anchored off Yacht Marin in the South East of the Marmaris bay.

[smg id=956 type=preview align=center caption="Yacht Marin"]

[smg id=957 type=preview align=center caption="The anchorage"]

[smg id=958 type=preview align=center caption="The anchorage again. Mianda's the boat on the right"]

Unfortunately, those last few days flew past, and before I even knew it, it was nearly time to go back to England. Before leaving, my parents a few friends and I had a bit of a goodbye meal in the excellent Yacht Marin restaurant.

[smg id=959 type=preview align=center caption="Goodbye meal"]

The next day (Sunday the 9th of June), it was on the bus to Dalaman airport. I got in at 2am UK time (4am body clock time), and had to wait until about 6:30am before I could catch a train to St Albans to be picked up by a friend who'd been looking after my Fazer in my abscense. I still haven't recovered!

[smg id=960 type=preview align=center caption="Leaving Marmaris. Bye, Turkey!"]

Three weeks of enjoying Turkey, sailing, swimming and brilliant fresh fruit and veg! The time flew by as if on wings, although there were several moments when I severly missed being able to zoom abound on the FZS. It was an interesting experience being back out: the last time I'd been in Turkey had been in October 2009, for a paltry 10 days half term, when I used to live on that boat for 6 months of the year, for up to 4 months at a time. It was great catching up with old friends, but strange to see all the changes to the places I knew, not to mention missing people who'd simply sailed on. One thing is certain though, the trip was bloody good fun!! 

[fireblake]

You lucky lad, what a great way to spend your holidays. I miss sailing even though my sailing is in Dinghies in the Solent. My wife and I have always promised ourselves a sailing holiday around the med. in 09 we went to Santorini and Rhodes last year, we adore the area but so far not had the chance to experience sailing.


Nice one.  Mickey

[ChristoT]

You lucky lad, what a great way to spend your holidays. I miss sailing even though my sailing is in Dinghies in the Solent. My wife and I have always promised ourselves a sailing holiday around the med. in 09 we went to Santorini and Rhodes last year, we adore the area but so far not had the chance to experience sailing.


Nice one.  Mickey

You sailed in the Solent? Where? Dad grew up in Keyhaven (as well as St Mawes); Tazeena lives there too.

[fireblake]

Hill Head. Near Lee on the Solent, between Portsmouth and Southampton




Mickey

[Skippernick]

Ah takes me back.
That were me old job that was. He said looking back with rose tinted glasses as the wind and rain threaten to smash my front door in.

[mickdel]

I spent a year in Turkey in 89/90 before heading to the armpit of the universe (nigeria) for 5 years.  Married a turkish girl, and have
spent about 2m there every year, since 90, apart from last 2 yrs when health intervened.  I love the 5 day "blue cruises".  Her family have a few summer houses in Kusadasi,  on the beach front.  Her brother lived in Izmir,  When you pick up the lingo, you can just start bus hopping your way round the country.  The only bit I haven't seen is the black sea coast.    But, I've seen 80% of the country.    Great if your'e a lamb lover!     
Plus, it's funny when you go into the local kebab shop and order in Turkish.  Even more so when I wear my Fenerbache football top.  The only difference is that in Turkey, you dont' encounter the cocky turk cunts that seem to have been vomited out of Turkey into the UK.    Reeking Kurds....................they sour Turkey's reputation in exactly the same manner as the England football yobbos did for the UK.  The only problem is that visiting Turkey,  most English folk are only likely to encounter peasants, working as waiters, tour guides, etc,  or spend their time in bile inducing "English" or "Irish" bars.  And form a narrow minded view of the country.


Maybe it was the English flag on a table in a Turkish restaurant in Turkey that got me wondering.  WTF?  Was there an international on? 

[ChristoT]

I spent a year in Turkey in 89/90 before heading to the armpit of the universe (nigeria) for 5 years.  Married a turkish girl, and have
spent about 2m there every year, since 90, apart from last 2 yrs when health intervened.  I love the 5 day "blue cruises".  Her family have a few summer houses in Kusadasi,  on the beach front.  Her brother lived in Izmir,  When you pick up the lingo, you can just start bus hopping your way round the country.  The only bit I haven't seen is the black sea coast.    But, I've seen 80% of the country.    Great if your'e a lamb lover!     
Plus, it's funny when you go into the local kebab shop and order in Turkish.  Even more so when I wear my Fenerbache football top.  The only difference is that in Turkey, you dont' encounter the cocky turk cunts that seem to have been vomited out of Turkey into the UK.    Reeking Kurds....................they sour Turkey's reputation in exactly the same manner as the England football yobbos did for the UK.  The only problem is that visiting Turkey,  most English folk are only likely to encounter peasants, working as waiters, tour guides, etc,  or spend their time in bile inducing "English" or "Irish" bars.  And form a narrow minded view of the country.


Maybe it was the English flag on a table in a Turkish restaurant in Turkey that got me wondering.  WTF?  Was there an international on?

My parents have been keeping the boat in Marmaris for the past 6 years or so now, and Mum is learning the language. Even when you don't speak much Turkish, if you just know a few words, I've noticed the Turks do appreciate the effort of you trying.

Kusadasi is lovely, but I prefer the Fethiye Korfezi and the Skopea Limani for sailing. As for the Turkish people, they are the most friendly, welcoming people I have ever met. As for waiters etc, the nicest Turks I've ever met (which is saying something!) are the Dondar family who run a restaurent pontoon in Boynuz Buku, south of Gocek. Also, I've noticed that all the Turks who emigrate have a rep abroad for arrogance, laziness and generally being ne'er do-wells - such a contrast from the hard working ethos of the people I've met in Turkey itself!