Turgutreis, Turkey

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Fri 11 Sep 2009 11:25
37:00.2N 27:15.3E

Thursday 10th September

Not the earliest of starts today and our departure was further delayed by a
very large gullet (Turkish trip boat) that dropped its very large anchor
over ours! They did not stay long, but it allowed Tom a little longer in
bed. By the time they had moved away, it was 11.20 am and the bay was pretty
much empty, but we had been able to watch everyone leave and it was clear
that there was a very large swell running outside as we had seen all the
boats wallowing hugely in the short steep seas.

Our departure all went smoothly enough and we put up the headsail to steady
us for the short hop downwind and with a following sea, to Turgutreis. The
town was re-named after a great Turkish Admiral, Turgut Reis (1485 - 1565)
who was born here.

Here we entered another very smart marina with all mod cons including a very
nice and rather exclusive swimming pool. Certainly the facilities at the
last few marinas have been outstanding, but this is all reflected in the
price unfortunately. Strangest thing here are the pontoons that they put us
onto today. They are actually for the slightly smaller charter boats based
here and they are exactly what you find in the UK with short fingers and no
need to drop an anchor or pick up lazy lines. All a bit of a shock and it
took a few moments to gather ourselves and try to recall how we did this!
Mind you we still went in backwards as you do out here and I have since
wondered why we didn't do it that way more often in Hamble.

Tom and Sarah took a stroll into the shopping mall, but it seems that the
universal 40% off only applies to the things you don't want to buy.

We all had a swim in the lovely pool and then went out in the evening for
another meal. It is getting harder to walk down the streets now as we are
fast becoming the sole tourists in these resorts and so all the touts are
even more desperate for our business. There was however an interesting
variation this evening as Tom's tattoos and piercings drew a lot of
additional attention and he was frequently stopped and asked about them.
Even the waiter at our table wanted to see the tattoos in more detail.
Saddest moment came for Sarah when a lad called out that he liked the
earrings and she turned to show off her very smart new gold ones we bought a
month ago. Unfortunately the comment had been aimed at Tom's tunnels!!