Turkish Devocean

Bodrum, Turkey

We spent a few tranquil nights on the hook in a more-or-less pristine O. Vathi on Pserimos, intent on recovering.  GS dreamed WJ3 was up on the hard somewhere, safe from the dreaded Meltemi.  However, it was not to be - time to check out!  We had 2 more days left on our Schengen clock.  So, after a dream sail downwind to Kos, we checked out, and bid Greece farewell, vowing to find better times to sail through this amazing sea of islands.  We needed to attend to a burgeoning list of “must see sites”….

O. Vathi hideaway on Pserimos

We made directly for Bodrum, on Turkey’s south Aegean coast and anchored for the night in front of an imposing crusader castle.  The next day, and despite it being peak season, our trusty Cap’n managed to persuade the marina to give us a berth for a few nights.  (His diplomatic skills having been somewhat tested after recently taking on Greek internet providers, Cosmote. Avoid them!)  

So here we are squashed into the marina, WJ3 sharing space with a bevy of behemoths, both sail and motor, on Dock B. We hid from daytime temperatures reaching 38°C but are otherwise enjoying the very cosmopolitan life of an active Turkish holiday resort (more on that later).  Close your eyes and you could be in Spain; were it not for the melodic call to prayer ringing out over the hills….

At anchor, with many others, off the Crusader Castle, Bodrum

 

From:  Pserimos, Greece Lat/Long: 36:56.165N 27:09.179E Date/Time: 12/08/13: 1250

To: Bodrum, Turkey Lat/Long: 37:02.095N 27:25.491E Date/Time: 12/08/13: 1750
Time Taken: 19.5nm (3.5hrs) Distance (this year): 2253.5nm (359.5hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 13078.5nm   Weather: NNW  12-15kts;
Fastest Speed: 6.5kts;