Marmaris to Kekova Roads
Posted at 7:48 PM, May. 18, 2010
Somehow another week has nearly slipped by so time for an update. The last posting had us at Netsel marina waiting for a genset part to arrive from Istanbul. Given the uncertainty surrounding just when the expected genset part was due to arrive Bobo arranged with his Fethiye office for a one way rental car so that Chris & Jo could make the 2 hour drive and join us in Marmaris so they arrived on board on Tuesday 18th. Mind you I think that after the flight from Auckland they were quite happy to fall into a full size bed at the waterfront hotel just along from the Fethiye marina.
The genset part was finally delivered late Wednesday and less than a 10 minute job later and we were departing. Motored to the other side of the bay and dropped anchor for a calm night. It was great to get away from the marina. The replacement wind gear parts are due to arrive in Marmaris on Monday 17th and will be forwarded to the marina at Alanya where we will be in a few days time. So hopefully this will work and we will get the parts – after that the next step will be the installation involving a trip to the top of the mast.
Thursday 13th saw us supporting the Middle East economies with a 49 mile motoring exercise to Gemiler Adasi. We anchored off and a boat boy was quick to take a line ashore. A strong crosswind an hour or two later resulted in an audible bump so it was a quick drop of the stern line and motored to the other side and free anchored. In the meantime one of the local boats called by and offered to come by the following morning and cook us pancakes for breakfast – banana and honey pancakes was the order. We had anchored in this area about 18 months ago so it was familiar territory for us. Chris & Jo went ashore to the island to explore the ruins of St. Nicholas (of Santa Claus fame although St Nicholas also pops up at Myra near Finike at the church of St Nicholas). Lots of Russians here as St Nicholas was the most popular saint in Tsarist Russia. After the mouthwatering breakfast of homecooked pancakes we motored across to Olu Deniz so that Chris & Jo could dinghy ashore and visit the famed lagoon.
Entering Kastellizon harbour, Turkey in background
From here it was a 45 mile sail to the Greek island of Kastellorizon (75 miles south of Rhodes or Rhodos as it is called here) a favourite spot. As the wind slowly built from slightly astern up went the 1250 sq ft genaker for a good sail for a most of the passage. It is always a stunning sight entering the harbour at Kastellorizon as it is semi-circular harbour completely contained by a sea wall with houses surrounding the harbour. Also it was a welcome return to Greek culture and wine – fortunately the authorities do not bother checking to see that boats that have obviously come from Turkey comply with customs requirements. A very sensible and pragmatic approach and one that only benefits the 450 people who live on the island – and this saw us sampling local fish at one of the restaurants where the owner only sold what he had himself caught. Since we were here last the restoration of the houses in Kastellizon has continued apace and it is great to see. The population has increased to 450 so the threat of a return of the island to Turkey looks an unlikely event.
From Kastellerizon it was a short motor to the Turkish town of Kas where we bought a couple of carpets in 2008. A quick look around, yet another visit to the supermarket and back on board for a motor in calm seas to join the rally at Kekova Roads. We dressed the boat for the first time and made the entrance through the narrow channel to see the 51 boats resplendent in code flags.
Savarna with code flags
Since we were last here there has been significant development and the old rickety restaurants piers have gone to be replaced by pretty smart floating concrete pontoons extending well out into deeper water that easily accommodated all the rally boats. The waterfront had all been paved so very smart and will certainly help the restaurant business - a huge improvement. However we did learn that around 50% of the houses in this small community have been illegally built over many years and that the Government had condemned them and they were due to be demolished in 15 days time – over 100 people will be displaced with no alternative accommodation. We signed a petition supporting a rescinding of this proposal. Although as it was in Turkish we may have been signing anything.
We have now moved on to Finike and arrived from there into Kemer this afternoon. So blogging somewhat behind. But will catch up soon.
Cheers
Keith