A few days in Marmaris then off

Persevere
Pat and Bruce
Fri 15 Apr 2011 17:17

36:34.40N 28:00.71E

 

The Marmaris Yacht Marina is huge.  There must be several hundred boat up on the hard (land) for the winter and everyone now wants their boats in the water today.  As in the previous note we entered in high winds but thing eventually calmed down.  The facility has the atmosphere of a industrial facility with hundreds of workers scampering around.  Painting, hull cleaning, new sails, new electrics, repairs to everything, you name it is being handled here.  Walking around one needs to be careful not to be run over (a bight very slow moving) travel lift taking boats to be launched.  The largest travel lift has a capacity of 330 metric tons, ten times the size of our boat.

 

The front office is slammed with people coming and going but they do a good job of getting things done, maybe it takes 30-45 minutes but they do their best and they serve tea while you wait.

 

We took the chance to go into Marmaris town again.  Short ride on the Dolmus (local small bus) into town for lunch, site seeing and boat part shopping.  Oh I did get my quarterly haircut.  Wash, cut and dry for a mere 20 TL (16 bucks).

 

Marmaris also has a large bizarre but it seems to have five types of stores; shoes, fake watches, jewelry, souvenirs, and food.  Not much variety but some fun to look at.  It does get annoying with the constant request from the owners to come in a look at things however.

 

Met some new people in the marina and everyone has something new or interesting to talk about for a few minutes.  People from all sorts of places and lifestyles are getting on boats large and small for a chance to take some time and see part of the world.  In the marina is a very organized social life.  Every morning at 09:00 is the VHF radio net.  Here updates on social events are given as well as “treasures from the bilge” (things for sale), help with fixing something, car sharing into town, and buy/sell offers.  Too organized for me, kind of scary that so many people are living on boats in the marina instead of getting out and sailing like the boat was intended.  Actually great for the winter but its spring now, get going.

 

After five days in this great marina we left.  First we needed to get fuel.  No problem at the next marina.  Had to wait 30  minutes for a large powerboat to fuel up.  Then we got 450 liters (120 gallons) for only 1,600 Turkish Lira (about 1,200 dollars).  Yes diesel is about 10 dollars a gallon.

 

Plans were to sail to the next anchorage.  Wind against us the whole way resulted in a motoring trip.  Checked out one anchorage first but it was small and too rolly from the waves entering.  The second anchorage was larger and much calmer.  Plenty of room to anchor amongst the hills full of goats, sheep and cows.  A couple of derelict restaurants added to the charm.  At the entrance to the anchorage is an old citadel (fort) that is intact but not that large.  Still a great place for the night.

 

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Downtown Marmaris in the bizarre section.  This is Wimpy Fast Food (pay on Tuesdays)

 

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One of the many, many street in this section. 

 

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At the marina on the south side.  Salicornia in bloom (a salt tolerant plant)

 

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In the marina the Bar/Restaurant has a garden section.  Strange plastic glow in the night statues.