Alanya to Bozyazi 60NM 22nd May

The Diary of Sonsy Lass
Alex & June Laidlaw
Mon 28 May 2012 06:07
36:05.49N 32:56.38E Another early start. Up at 4am and out of the harbour by 4.45am., with, once again, a graceful exit. A local Mullah calling his flock to prayer gave us a background accompaniment. On the 9 hour trip to Bozyazi, the winds increased to 22/25kts and they were right on our tail. This was until we reached Cape Anamur, 7 miles from Bozyazi, and then all hell let loose, with winds reaching 40 kts and the sea becoming very confused. We had advance notice from the boats ahead, so were well reefed in. There was also a warning that the winds in the harbour were gusting 25 – 30kts, making stern-to mooring with anchor a wee bit tricky. Sure enough, we were in for an interesting time. The boat in front of us gave up after several attempts and was escorted to the part of the harbour reserved for fishing boats. That was not for Sonsy Lass, as we dropped anchor and managed against strong winds to back up to the harbour. For once, a perfect landing! As we had a free evening, our group decided to organise a get together on a large catamaran with each boat taking a dish. In boating they call this ‘pot luck’. It will not come as a surprise that we were down for a curry. The cooking was the easy part, as the hot curry and rice plus wine, had to be transported by dingy in rough water to the cat anchored in the bay. What a challenge! They talk about, meals on wheels’ this was ‘meals on keels’! The trip back at midnight was no mean feat either! Next day more culture with the bus ready for the off at 9am, a much more respectable time. Our first stop was to the ancient site of Anemurium which dates back to 1st century AD. It was, once again, built by the Romans and was a major city which dominated a substantial stretch of the coastline and rising high into the Taurus Mountains, giving it an imposing prominence. The city has been subjected to earthquakes, weather and, of course, many marauding armies and Arab pirates. It was also a refuge for crusaders en route to the Holy Land. The extensive ruins show a vibrant city with an impressive aqueduct, theatre, music hall, and even a training school for all kinds of physical exercises plus an extensive complex of baths. For the yachties, British Admiral F Beaufort, of Beaufort scale fame, visited the ruined city in 1812 and wrote about its demise. Some attempts at excavation have been undertaken by the British University of Colombia, Canada but the site is so huge it’ll take hundreds of years. It was said its final demise was not because of repeated attacks, but simply that the mountain springs that serviced it, simply ran dry. After lunch we then visited Anamur Castle, positioned on another prominent headland. The initial remains date back to the late Romans in the 3rd/4th Century, restored a little in the 14th and 16th centuries by the Ottomans who built an impressive mosque and baths inside. Culture done, it was back to base for the evening reception. This was on the quayside and hosted by the local fishermen who had lovely fresh caught fish prepared for us!

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