26 –
28 April 2007, Gökçeada & Bozcaada visits, Written
by David Gerard
Good Morning Everybody
I must first apologize for being a little late with
this report but we have been having such a wonderful
time I don't know where the days have gone.
We exited the Dardanelles or I should really say we
where spit out of the Dardanelles 15knts that's what
i call moving into a 38 knts of wind Johns heel
indicator (Cheryl) demanded a little less sail but
despitea reef we were still doing 10 plus knots.
We didn't take long to reach the island of Gokceada;
this was the rally’s first visit here so obviously
we didnt know what to expect We were not
disappointed.
We didn't have any information about the port we
were going to and enquiring with the Coast Guard we
were told there was incieficient depth in the harbor
entrance so we diverted to Kuzu Kale. It turned out
that although the harbour Kale Limanı had being
deepened and rebuilt they haven't as yet updated the
charts they had to give us the information they had
on their charts.
Never mind we were only just over the hill and the
municipality provided a bus to take us around.
We had the Turkish Coast Guard escorting us and we
soon became friends with the Captain and EO (Allain,
who spoke perfect english hacing spent 4 years in
the states with the American naval academy)
We were invited to dinner with the Mayor and another
great evening was had by all.
So we thought that was it, home fairly early night
'No, this is the EMYR remember sleep is not
compulsory!
Our hosts Alaattin in conjunction with Alan from the
Coast Guard took us to a coffee shop and demanded
that everybody must sing.
We had songs from Australia New Zealand Bulgaria
didn't sing but Mickey danced for us.
The next morning looked grim with F6/F7 promised but
it was only a thirty mile run to Bozcaada with the
wind in the main from behind.
We knew Bozcaada from past visits and were soon tied
up at the Quay.
Skippers meeting at 6 pm was held on Kolokita our
Bulgarian friends forced me to drink whiskey and
fact they forced all of us to drink whiskey it was
very hard to resist. Before we knew it, it was 7.30
and time to go off for dinner.
We were hosted by the Municipality with the Governor
attending, we traveled across the island to a
restaurant overlooking a perfect sandy bay well
sheltered and beautifully clean.
We were met there by Murat an old friend of Hasan
and I'm sure will become an old friend to me as well
what a wonderfull hospitable guy he is.
The dinner was outstanding accompanied by
unquestionably the best wine I have had in Turkey to
date. Bozcaada has a thriving wine industry and
produces some very very good wine. We made our
customary presentations Michaele from Parroo on this
occasion doing the honors.
Back to boats ! Oh no we ended up in a bar where the
barman disappeared and Alexander (Kolokita) took
over dancing singing another night of little sleep.
Dawn broke with a forecast of lighter winds today we
set off for Ayvalık a run down to Babakale and then
some strong North Easterlies for a short time soon
gave way to little or no wind.
We entered Ayvalık under a cloudless blue sky with
the sun shinning.
We have just had a enjoyable two days on Gokceada
and Bozcaada our hosts were just the best you could
get and the Turkish Coast Gaurd have been very
professional and helpfull at all times.
I urge all of you to visit these islands they are
unspoilt the sea is crystal clear and the people
delightful.
We are now back on mashona and back to the realities
of life (Tilly was glad to see us).
Today we visit the ancient site of Pergammon and
maybe a visit to the Hamam later.
That's all for now folks
Dave Kath and Tilly
S/Y Mashona