2 – 6 May 2007, Çeşme to Kuşadası and Kuşadası to Bodrum Passages, written by David Gerard
Good Morning Everyone
S/Y Mashona
Position 36 40N 27 23E
Kinidos Point
Calm Seas little wind
Kusadasi
Our journey to Kusadasi was not the best we left Cesme early hoping to get light winds but faced to say the least an unpleasant sea.
The wind was predominately from South but the sea was on the beam we rolled and rolled the cat was sick, the oven opened and deposited the contents over the cabin sole, the TV made a bid for freedom and the dehumidifier in the rear heads ended up on the floor.
After a few hours of this the sea calmed and we ended up motor sailing into port in beautiful sunshine.
Kusadasi is a Setur marina and has good facilities a chandlery and a Migros. This has always been one of the favourite stops for the rally from here we visit the world heritage site of Ephesus also the Virgin Mary’s house and the museum.
The staff here could not be kinder they really looked after us, the marina manager our representative Hakan has recently had heart surgery we wish him a continued recovery.
We were also very sad to lose our first boat Kolokita had to depart due to business commitments they were a great crew we shall miss them very much, they have though promised to come again next year for the full rally.
The party at Kusadasi is always a grand affair we were not disappointed they combine our visit with the start of season marina party with unlimited food and wine beer and raki.
Our accompanying coast guard also attended (Hasan the CO) and regaled us with tales of catching illegal trying to cross to Greece he hadn’t been in his bunk for the last 4 days.
We carried out our customary presentations Serap receiving the award for the marina. A little word here for this lady she went out of her way to make sure the rally had no problems organised the tour and went and collected our cargo of bags.
Despite our late night singing dancing and making merry we started early for Turgutreis D-Marina Bodrum.
Passage.
A good northerly wind F7 at one point gave us a good run along the coast and we arrived in record time Mashona making 8 knots at one point (not bad for an old lady)
Turgutreis D - Marine.
D -Marine is a new marina built by the Dogus group and sports some of the best facilities you will find on the Turkish coast.
I first visited it now 5 years ago when it was just opening they had very few boats now the boast 90% occupancy and fully booked for next winter but still ring because they may have cancellations.
This in main has been down to the hard work of the staff here and the attention they pay to you. Our visit was to Bodrum castle and surrounding countryside.
Our cocktail party was held around the pool on a wonderfully warm evening Gonca who is our representative received the plaque which was mad by Gunter and Ursula from Farewell.
We are now 19 boats with more to pick up at Marti.
This means we have now split into two groups Saygın from Tay (first Turkish group leader in EMYR history) and Kevin from Sunset Sam taking the leadership. I am now just sitting back and enjoying life (some wish)
We had a great night at the party I just wish we finished there (no way) this is the EMYR at party on the Bulgarian boat Kiz went on to the small hours with singing barbeque and accompanied by the accordion from Rosa,.
We are now on passage with no wind.
Dave Kath and Tilly
S/Y Mashona