9th May 2006 - Gocek to Kekova
Posted at 5:04 AM, Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Gocek to Kekova
Awoke this morning to the combined crowing of massed cockerels from the shore side village of Kekova.
This is another idyllic location 70 miles further eastward, where a protected anchorage is set inside a slim elongated bay surrounded by wooded rocky hills. The entrance is narrow, and as one comes in the mirror flat bay (perhaps a mile long and 250 yards wide) opens up.
On the shore side, an old rickety village is overserviced with ten or so bayside restaurants, whose children frantically holler and compete to get you to their individual landing jetties. One could easily loose a week parked up here. Here is a shot of the fleet as seen from Swagman – with the village behind.
We elected not to push the boat on the trip down from Gocek, preferring instead to chug along with motor and mainsail only. This was because the coastline is studded with reefs and small islands – and we wanted to explore.
We had another pink and pale blue dawn as we slipped out of Gocek. Some of the others left really early but we again left at 0600. Here is a shot of Jackie and Tons Hans Christian 45 – Belgian participants in the rally - as we came alongside.
So whilst most of the fleet sailed further out on open seas and rocked along before a 15 knot westerly wind, we ducked and dived in a zig-zag fashion much closer inshore.
Stunning mountains some 10 miles inland rose to 2,000 metres - the combination of those being snow capped, the gold sandy (and empty) beaches, and the 30+ degree heat, was an experience.
We put all our faith in the accuracy of Swagmans charting systems as we sailed at times only yards off some shore side cliffs. The water is really deep in most places - but the islands really close together in places also.
One gap we came through between two biggish islands was less than 20 metres wide yet still 50 metres deep! Fun.
We arrived at Kekova around 1600 and were among the first to drop anchor. Here is a dawn shot of a typical Turkish gullet close at anchor behind us.
The variety of destinations on the rally has been impressive so far in the way they contrast. When one lines up yesterdays luxurious marina at Gocek with the basic anchorage and village here, the differences are vast – but both are equally lovely.
One last shot of Sue asleep on the foredeck rigged hammock on our lay day in Gocek.
We are off for a motor boat trip to visit a
Cheers
JOHN