Alanya - Gazipasi - Bozyazi - Aydincik
Yachtforeverfreedom
Thu 15 Oct 2009 16:54
|
Present Position: 36 08.72N 033
19.46E.
Earlier this year we looked at our cruising plans,
and came across a Rally called the Vasco da Gamma. We are not Rally type
people, but decided that this one would be different. Non commercial,
inexpensive, planty of time to do leisurely cruising. So we signed
up. We then looked at our inventory and decided to do this trip we would
need lot more gismos. So we invested in a water maker, generator, SSB
radio and a wider ranging Sat Phone. We stayed in Alanya waiting for
the Rally to start and combined a trip to the UK to see Family and
Grandchildren. On 1st October we returned from the UK and then panic set
in getting ready for the off.
Wed 7th October there was a Captains' Meeting to
agree the actual start date and outline a passage plan. Only 6 Boats were
ready to leave Alanya. If you follow the VDG web site you will see the
names on the boats participating so we will refer to Boat names and not people's
names.
Mistral is Rally co-ordinator and is Dutch, he has
two crew and two dogs, one of which is 6 months old; Forever Freedom that is us; Still
Dreaming is owned by an American couple and they have been crusing for quite
some time; Adelante, Swiss couple; Medea also a Swiss couple; Full
Flight, English couple.
Friday 9th October the town of Alanya hosted a BBQ
supper for the boats in the Marina which was really very good. The food
was excellent and there were the usual speeches, and presentations from the
Rally to the marina staff and the town representative.
Saturday 10th October passed in a whirl as there
were many things to do such as re-fueling, settling bills, taking-on
drinking water for those without a water-maker, clearing
the decks and stowing below for sailing so that nothing would take a flying
leap as soon as we hit the first wave or gust of wind. A final Captains' Meeting
was held on Mistral.
Sunday 11th October started with a Group Photo by a
Dutch journalist; then a 0930 departure from the Marina. The other
boats in the Marina tooted to send us off. Our shake down trip was from Alanya
to Gazipasi. It was our first real sail for a very long time. We
spent some time working out again what did what but we did have a lovely sail
and motor-sail and arrived 7 hours later into Gazipasi. Lovely little
harbour, and they are building a new marina. There are no facilities and
we anchored over night, The scenerey along this coast is wonderful.
Huge areas of forest, banana plantations, castles, forts and ruins.
Monday 12th October, we up anchor at 0715 again we
sailed, motor sailed, to Bozyazi some 42 miles from Gazipasi. At times
enjoyed a following wind and achieved a good 6 knots. Anamour Castle we
passed on the way which we were disappointed in, but Mamure Kaiesi very
impressive. Bozyazi harbour is a little more commercialised and we
rafteed-up along side Mistral who was alongside the wall. Had to pay
10GBP for the night. Full Flight caught 5 fish so Mistral suppled a
BBQ and we suppled the salads and we all ate a pot luck fish supper
ashore.
Tuesday 13 October up at 0600 Bozyazi to Aydinick
some 20 miles. Gentle sea breeze gave us an easy beam reach. We
arrived at 1230 into the little harbour. By now the wind was up to force 4
and it was very difficult to drop the anchor, reverse towards the quay at the
same time as letting out the chain, and then, at the last minute, stop the boat
just off the quaay and get a line ashore. Luckily tghere was plenty of
help ashore to set our stern lines for us. It was all a new
experience and we are learning all the time. What a wonderful little
harbour. The Harbour Master arranged for the nearby ruins to be opened for
us to see the wonderful mosaics. The police arrived with a car and minibus
and took us to the ruins and then took us up the mountain behind the town so
we could enjoy the sunset and the panoramic view across the bay.
Normally the ruins are closed as they are excavating the area. The mosaics
were very good. There is also a Byzantine church. You can see the
layers of the ruins from Greek to Roman to Byzantine to Ottoman, to
today.
Following our mini bus trip we all went to a local
cafe just by the marina. The owner showed us a huge fish, which he
cooked for us along with salads, bread, chips, All for 10GDP a
head.
Wednesday 14th October. A trip up the a
forest park in the mountains. We have not joined them today as we have had
an engine problem. Peter spent 2 hours in the water under the boat with
his Hookah to scrape off the growth on the prop and clean the bottom of the
boat. The barnacles and weed growth are very bad in Alanya in spite
of 4 coats of antifouling and the Ultrasonic antifouling gizmo. For those
of you wondering what a Hookah is, it is not a Turkish hubble-bubble pipe
- look it up on the Net.
We are thoroughly enjoying ourselves.
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4486 (20091007) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4486 (20091007) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4486 (20091007) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com |