Monday 13^th June – Avşa Adasi (Turkeli) – Saraylar (Marmara Adasi)

40:39.222N 27:39.598E

This morning it was still grey and overcast but the wind was light.   Whilst it was dry we headed north to Marmara Adasi, the largest of the islands, celebrated for its white marble. 

We first put our heads into the port of Asmaliköy on the east coast, but it seemed to be full of fishing boats with only an unattractive berth behind a very large fishing boat available.  Our impression wasn’t helped by the heavy cloud overhead.

As it was still early we chose to carry on as we had also been thinking to visit Saraylar (Palatia) on the north coast.  It sounded interesting, the pilot book saying that the breakwater and quay were built of marble.  As we rounded the headland the wind dropped away and the sun came out.  On the mountain sides we could easily see the large marble quarries being worked.  We entered the bay and found a berth alongside the quay in the inner harbour.  Sure enough the breakwater around the harbour is formed of large marble slabs.

We went for a walk around the harbour area and small town before lunch.  The marble that has been tossed into the sea to form the breakwater for the harbour seems good enough for furnishing a kitchen; not surprisingly the bar in the harbour has marble topped tables!  There are also a large number of marble statues around the harbour – in the category ‘modern art’.  Although industrial with the quarry works around it, we really like the feel of the place.

When we were in town we noticed them using the council fire truck to hose down where some roadworks were taking place; the truck coming to the harbour to refill with sea water.  Later, whilst we were happily sitting on board catching up with a few jobs, the fire truck appeared on the quay, stuck its hose in the sea and the guys proceeded to use a fire hose to jet-wash the quay area behind us.  The filthy water was cascading into the harbour and they were heading across the quay in our direction.

They waved to us and indicated that they were coming along the wall where we are and so we moved Pyxis forward and then back along the wall to where they had already cleaned so they could do the whole quay; when they had finished we moved back to our original position.  Thankfully there was no wind so we simply pulled her along on the lines.

After dinner aboard we went for a walk around town.  On the way back we stopped for a drink at the café next to us, as we are effectively berthed along its front.  The beer was reasonably priced for Richard but I had the sweet tea that they serve in Turkey, I am quite taking to it.  When we came to settle up, the young man insisted that I should not pay for the tea, what a nice man.

Saraylar (Marmara Adasi)

© Pyxis 2011