We sailed round the Gökova Gulf and the coast and islands of the
Aegean Sea and Mediterranean in the Magnolia - a splendidly yellow boat with blue
and white sails. We snorkelled and dived in the clear waters, seeing (and catching)
a variety of fish and other marine beasts.
And we had adventures - responding to an SOS to rescue another boat in
difficulties - and sustained casualties (poor old Selim and Alice both suffered from a
rare breed of bum-stinger wasps).
But we soaked up the sunblock and hit the water four times a day.
Somehow Selim and Andy got through two bottles of gin in six days. A great
holiday. Many thanks to Selim and his family for sharing their holiday with us.
Sailing round the islands and
mountainous coastline of the Aegean. Helen and Alice lounge on deck.
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Sailing under canvas - Henry, Can and
Alice watch for dolphins from the prow rail.
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Sea rescue - responding to an SOS from
the crippled Refo, we sail out to them and tow them back to port.
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Alice goes overboard |
Come on in the water's lovely.
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Alice dives for shells on the sea
bottom. |
Henry goes snorkelling.
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Lunch on board.
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Selim checks his e-mail under canvas.
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Dinner! Sakin's harpoon provides
another treat for the table and further depletes the aquatic fauna of the region. |
Henry catches a fish - and for those with poor
eyesight, here it is in detail:
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 The Yellow Banana is towed by a speedboat and requires great skill to stay on
at speed. (None of us managed it...) |
The region is rich in ancient sites.
Aphrodisias is a Roman city with a fine city gate still standing.
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The vast elliptical stadium of
Aphrodisias could seat 30,000 people. We sat in row lambda.
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Ephesus is a preserved ancient city
with spectacular streets and restored monuments. But man it was hot.
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We also experienced life in a
traditional Turkish village. Alice and Helen at the window of our Bagdadi
house in Serince - a pretty hillside koy famous for wine. |
While exploring for tortoises in a
ruined house, Henry is invited to ride Mehmet's horse. Mehmet is a fruit farmer who
uses a pack saddle for riding. |
The house in Serince has a traditional
Turkish bathroom, with marble tiling and carved marble benches and basin
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Skiing as well? No, this is the
brilliant white travertine formations of Pamukkale formed from thermal springs.
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Bathing in the geothermal hot spring
pool of the Hotel Thermal in Pamukkale.
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And the minerals in the waters are good
for your skin, although this was more like paddling in someone else's used bathwater. |
And finally, clubbing. Alice
floats in the pool of the Club Muskebi in Bodrum.
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The girls (and Henry) sample the
nightlife at the poolside disco.
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Helen and Henry have a swim and ignore
the topless sunbathers lounging by the poolside. Until he's older.
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