The Turquoise Coast

Once across the Gulf of Antalya we entered into what's known as the "Turquoise Coast", stretching along the Med with the most beautiful cobalt blue and turquoise waters. We made an unplanned stop at the Finike Marina, deciding to visit at the last moment to see the ancient rock tombs and ruins at Demre and Ayakanda. We are very glad we spent a few days there as this is where we'll likely come back to for the coming winter months. Finike itself is an agricultural center and a real working Turkish town, rather than a tourist resort destination, which we really like. The marina and staff are lovely, and the market in town on Saturday is the best so far!

From Finike we sailed towards Kekova Roads and the lovely hamlet of Kalekoy. The castle ruins perched atop the hill had stunning views and looked out across the bay to the sunken city and beyond. The top of the hill was also covered with sarcophagi.









Continuing west, we spent a few days in a bay near Kas (pronounced "cash"). A lovely gullet was anchored next to us and the captain had a nifty little flying drone which took our picture as it whizzed by. Captain Ergun sent us these photos. He speaks excellent English and if you are planning a trip to the area and would like to spend a few days along the coast on a boat (unless you have your own, of course), contact him on his website at: www.boattripturkey.com.

Then on we went to Fethiye, Gocek and Skopea Limani, all located in a large bay. This is one of the prime cruising grounds in Turkey and the place was swamped with private yachts, charter boats, gullets (Turkish overnight boats) and day-tripper boats... some of which were nothing more than big party boats with pink passengers reddened by the excess of sun and/or drink. With the area so populated, several entrepreneurial souls met the needs and desires of the cruisers anchored out with an ice cream speed boat and a market boat (floating supermarket), both of which we availed ourselves of during our week stay among the islands.

On to Marmaris Bay we went in order to buy boat bits and to take care of some repairs and maintenance for the boat and for us too! We visited the Marmaris Devlet Hospital (gov't/state hospital) for some check-ups, which was excellent. Thanks to Suzanne, who acted as translator and scheduled appointments for us. We were well taken care of. Then, off to see Ata at Aladag Optik with an updated prescription for stronger reading glasses. We covered a lot in just a few days and then were off to continue west and north along the beautiful coast of Turkey before sailing into Greece. We really, really like it here and are glad we'll be back in the fall. Well, unless we change our minds... which of course never happens. :)

with Equanimity and Joy