Cruise Overview
Day 1
- We left Göcek harbour around noon and headed to Kitle Bükü for our first stop and swim
- Later in the afternoon, we made our way to Summer Harbour Bay on Tersane Island (Shipyard Island), where we spent the night. Mother Nature treated us to a fabulous display of lightning and a bit of rain, but everyone stayed dry under Arkadaslik's back tent.
- Dinner tonight was barbequed sea bream, served with a variety of hot and cold mezes.
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Day 2
- Cloudy skies didn't deter David and Jodi from an early morning swim before breakfast. Once the table was cleared, we lifted anchor and headed to nearby Aquarium Bay where everyone hopped into kayaks to paddle over the ruins of a sunken building in the middle of the bay.
- Later on, we lifted anchor and headed south to Merdivenli Bay (Stairway Bay) where everyone headed ashore to explore the little canyon leading from the beach.
- Our last stop of the day was Bedri Rahmi Bay, named after a famous Turkish poet / author / artist who painted a mural on a rock in the bay. He is credited with popularizing gulet cruises in the region.
- This evening's dinner was meatballs and all the fixings.
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Day 3
- We woke to sunny skies and enjoyed a leisurely start to the day under the rock tombs overlooking the bay. After breakfast and time for a swim, we headed to Martili Bay with it's large seagull mosaic on the shore. (We also wanted to see if the baby donkey was accepting visitors.)
- Everyone enjoyed a bit of a hike around the bay. Numerous goats and three donkeys (2-month DeeDee, mom Dorothy, and auntie Dolores) made an appearance.
- Mid-afternoon, we made our way to Sarsala Bay for swimming and relaxing. A flotilla of sailboats and a massive superyacht paraded by.
- Our final destination of the day was Hamam Bay, where we anchored next to the ruins of an ancient stone bath house reputed to have been built for Cleopatra. Unfortunately, while taking a walk around the bay, Malcolm took a tumble and will ride out the rest of his Turkish holiday with a black eye, but appears otherwise unscathed.
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Day 4
- There's something magical about waking next to 2000 year old ruins, but that's how we started our day. Peace and tranquility...
- After breakfast and a swim, we lifted anchor and left the protected waters of the Göcek Islands region, heading to Diş Göbün Bay for a change of scenery.
- And then on to Koca Bük...
- And finally to Ağa Limanı, where we spent the evening. A massive Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) said "hello" and neighbours on a superyacht fascinated us with their motorized surfboard.
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Day 5
- Captain Oktay lifted the anchor early to get the smoothest possible sail as we crossed the Gulf of Fethiye towards Ölüdeniz.
- Breakfast was served as we arrived at a small cove near the popular seaside resort town. Everyone marvelled at the paragliders launching from nearby Mount Babadağ as part of the International Air Games.
- Breakfast complete, the group kayaked to the Blue Lagoon for a bit of sightseeing.
- Upon return, we set sail again, this time to Gemiler Island. Sue led everyone on a hike around the historic island dedicated to St. Nicholas and we returned to the boat famished, and ready for Ozan's beef stew lunch.
- After lunch, we lifted anchor for another long leg back towards the Göcek Islands, stopping at Bedri Rahmi Bay to fill the boat with fresh water. This is where we'll spend the night.
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Day 6
- We had a slow start to the day, lingering at Bedri Rahmi for a while after breakfast before heading to the small bay at Tersane Island for shopping on the Carrefour boat.
- Then we made our way to Boynuz Bükü, where Jodi and Sam amazed us with their stand-up paddle boarding skills, and Jan and Malcolm wowed us with their kayaking prowess.
- Later in the afternoon, we cruised passed some gorgeous superyachts and sailing boats on our way to At Bükü for a couple of hours of swimming and relaxing next to a tiny gulet with yappy little dogs.
- Our final night together was spent at Flat Island, where we enjoyed a spectacular pink sunset while Captain Oktay performed his magic at the barbecue.
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Day 7
- After a relaxed breakfast and final swim, we lifted anchor and returned to Göcek Harbour for final goodbyes.
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