Bodrum

Early start to beat the Meltemi we cast off at 8:00am on the 16th September and motored west. We were in Bodrum harbour by 11:10 and anchored with many varied craft in one of the two half moon shaped bays divided by a peninsular on which sits one of the Mediterranean's most intact castles.

Once again we were reliably advised that we would not get into the Bodrum Marina by someone who, in his 8 years of sailing this coast had never managed it in a mono hull. In a catamaran we held out little hope. We'd anchored on the advise of the Marina staff who we'd contacted by radio on our way in.


They'd asked that we contact them again at lunch time to see if a space had opened up but sounded doubtful.

Sal's foot is slowly improving, but hopping in and out of the dingy is not ideal and with the persistent Meltemi, anchoring can get uncomfortable and sleep depriving in a crowded bay.

12:00 on the dot I called. "Yes we have a spot, if you would head to the Marina entrance our port pilot will meet, escort and assist you with mooring...."

We moored alongside, spitting distance from the best showers and ablutions we had ever seen, power and water wooohooo!

The only issue was the price.... 215Euro per night, the power and water a separate charge. The aforementioned 8 year veteran had also left us in no doubt that we'd find Turkey much cheaper than Greece...

One wonders what he was on?

We managed to stay for three nights allowing us to go through the riggers of checking into Turkey, really enjoy the last couple of days with the Fraser's, have the boat professionally cleaned and fully provisioned and get across Bodrum and its wonderful castle.

Last time I was in Turkey in the early 80's it was a third world country. Not any more. It is clean, sophisticated, prosperous and well organised..... not to mention.... expensive.

Meal and wine prices have more than doubled, Vodka and Tonic AUS$15

The Castle made an amazing school outing for the kids. Given it sits at the entrance to the marina, we dingied across and parked among rows of huge Turkish Gulets. They truly are the most beautiful of craft and a great way to tour the Turkish coast if you were thinking about it.

We spent 3 - 4 hours inside the castle, Summer being photographer and both enthralled by everything. Even as I was trying to leave, well over it by now, they both wanted to see the very final thing... the Dungeon...

As I switced on my phone torch, Summer declared she'd be sleeping in Will's room that night!

Once again we found ourselves saying goodbye. The Fraser's had come to sail with us for a week or so and then go to Rome where Wendy had never been.

We were very pleased that they extended their time with us to two weeks cutting their Italian jaunt, which was to include both Rome and Florence, to just three days.... What the hell guys.... seen one old church, you've seen'm all!

Not sure Wendy was as pleased as Greg.... she'd not as yet seen one.