Monday May 30th 2011

At noon we all took a Dolmus ( taxi van , seats 10) to the town of Bodrum 20 kms away. $ 4 each. The ride take some time because they stop ,pick up and drop off at points along the way.
The temperature was about 20 when we left but as the day went on I think it reached 27. Lots and lots of stores a restaurants everywhere.Tim,Mark and Alison head out on there own. Crew member
Florian ( Romanian) and I headed over to check out the castle and museum but found it was closed on Monday. We split up and I went walking through town with my video camera. I don’t have any photos to post today.
Was asked by a guy, Hussien, to sit down with him in front of the running shoe store he was working at,sure I need a rest. We chatted a bit about how he couldn’t get a visa to Canada.He offered me an apple tea, so I accepted. There was a buzzer/speaker hanging from the wall , he buzzed and said my tea would be there shortly , a young guy came with a tray and a small glass of tea sitting in a small ceramic bowl. He chased down a few passers by to make a sale but had no luck. He returned to sit a bit and then I was on my way. I gave him just my name and told him he could find me on face book. I later notice guys bustling up and down the street with silver trays of empty or full glasses of tea. (somebody, somewhere is making tea in a back room. !!)
There are the guys in front of each restaurant, who, also chase you down to get you to sit. “No, just ate,’ “no , not now“, “ok, I’ll take your card and come back later.”
I had just finished lunch next door so this one new I wasn’t lying, ( forgot his name).
Oh a carpet guy right behind me, come , come, take a look. I head in, I wanted to check prices and see about buying a hand made pillow case ( easier to pack) He through everything I looked at on the floor and kept showing me more piles, “look at these” beautiful, darling. How do you stay so thin? Look this one is lovely” What would you do for high blood sugar?”
Wow he’s really getting chatty. I got a history on the designs and how long they took to make. I eventually bought one for 110 tl. ( $65)Later I found some more but the lady wanted 200tl ( $120) I got a good price.
Took a walk along a great beach, touristy of course. Filled with colorful tables at each restaurant or bar. Seating right up to the waters edge. The beach is a bit rocky going in.
The water is so clear here you can see 20 feet down along the pier.
Heading back toward the bus again , oops went passed the restaurant guy again. “ok ,I’ll have a tea but I’m not hungry really.”
Resting for a bit and getting out of the hot sun was nice but now I had another friend to chat with !! He had an hour for break and thought he might take me someplace to have some fun !! Mmmmm how should I take that. But really they are not as pushy and annoying as some other places I have been. And the guys are all HOT !
I left and headed back to the boat in time for dinner.
It was Tim’s turn. We had Mexican soft taco’s tonight.
Hussien is now my friend on facebook. Got a request before i was even logged in.



Super size chest set at Marina

 Tomorrow we set sail at 0930h. 2 hour sail and then we anchor. Not sure were but it’s my turn to make lunch and dinner. Pressure is on !!

Sunday May 29 2011





Dining on deck



Mozart Bar on the Marina

May 29^th 2011
0930h
Everyone is on the own there own for breakfast. The boat has a freezer , frig so there is lots of room for provisions.
We started off the day cleaning up the boat. Alison wiped down the woodwork inside, Tim was cleaning the wood deck and cushions and later Alison and I did a wiped down of all the stainless steel on deck.
Showers at the marina where nice and there is also a laundry that washes clothes for you. They charge 6 euros a load and deliver.
0100h
Lunch is cold meat, salad and fish soup made with left overs from last nights meal. All was very good.
0200h
We took a walk into town and picked up fruit, some meat which is limited here and other things like juice canned good and milk. The prices here are a bit steep. Bread from the bakery was $ 3 for 2 loaves and some flat bread which is less than at home. I bought 12 homemade cookies and they were as much as the bread. Fresh fruit bananas, apples, strawberries were 5 lira a kg. ( $3 can.)
Turkish wine is not good so I picked up a bottle of African, Two Roads but that was $18 at home $12. Malcolm is drinking some Greek wine he picked up in bulk cardboard casks.
Our new member of the group has arrived, Mark is Australian , retired teacher.
It’s 1630h, time to relax on the bow cushions , read and have a nap.
1815h
We all get a day to cook lunch and dinner clean up after too. Alison is cooking tonight. Looks like we are having chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.
1900h
After dinner I took a walk to the marina and visited the sites. Had a drink at a lovely bar called the Mozart had a beer and took some photos.
Back at the boat everyone is busy emailing and blogging.
Our last guest has arrived Florian 23 years old from Romania but living in the U.S.and doing his thesis.l
We are staying at this marina for 3 days so tomorrow we will take a Dolmas bus to the town of Bodrum.
Weather is sunny and warm

Flight and Arrival Friday May 28 2011

The fight across the pond was 9.5 hours from JFK.
9:30 am ( 3 am Canada time)
I arrived earlier than expected which gave me time to catch the earlier flight I wanted to take to Bodrum where my shuttle awaits to take me to the boat. Unfortunately I change to a later flight after reading that I wouldn’t be able to make a 1 hour connection. Domestic connection Is now 6 pm.
I had plenty of time to get a visa that would have cost 190 can. At the Turkish embassy in Toronto. I got to the counter with 20 people ahead of me thinking this would take some time. 3 min. later and 45 euros ( 65 can.)I had a sticker and was on my way to customs. No questions , stamped my passport and I was on my way to get luggage. My bag was already there.
Now I needed to get a phone card. 4 retailers to chose from , I walked over paid my 29 euros ( and was connected in 30 min. )
10:15 am
I head over to the domestic terminal and check in for the 6 pm flight.
So now I wait. It’s warmer here so I decide to throw on some shorts.
The airport here is very clean not too busy on the domestic side so I go find myself a place to read. I’m tired 3 am your time and it’s a 7 hour wait.
A plane has just loaded so the lounge in section 104 is empty and they have those chairs without arms here ! 3 in a row and I’ve got myself a cozy spot for a nap! I manage to get 2 hours and then .. A child running up and down the rows stirs me. I get another 20 and now it’s time to sit up , I’m close to having the last few spots here.
Starbucks feeds me with a lovely salad ,roll and coffee. No cream here just steamed milk. 20 lira ( 12 dollars)
3:30 pm
2.5 hours to go . Ugh.
2.5 hours to go . Ugh.
7:15
I have arrived in Bodrum. No sign of shuttle. Lucky I got my phone hooked up, had to make a call. They were waiting for me at International rather than Domestic.
Driver doesn’t speak English. They have my emailed info so I think he knows where we are going. 20 min drive and looks like we are close. He says “ Delta” I say “ marina” maybe delta is marina in Turkish ?
It’s getting dark. We are along water, good sign. He stops several times to ask where the “ Delta “ is.
We stop at the drive way and he points. Oh ,,,, no,,,, not the Delta hotel.
Ma… ri…na. off again. After several text messages to my captain and questioning passers by, we finally reach the marina.
Malcolm my captain greets me and is accompanied by Alison and Tim. Not a couple but both from New Zealand. Tim is staying 10 more days . He has been here for 2 weeks now. Alison has been on for 2 weeks and is staying till the first of August.
I get a short tour of the boat my sleeping quarters and after a short chat and a beer I had to bed. The temperature is presently about 68-70. Nice for sleeping.