Alanya- The Fabulous Markets-Turkey-2011

Dec, 2011
Here is just a sample of one of the wonderful Alanya Weekly Markets. The food is so colourful and maticulously presented it is irresitable. We always buy way to much so I give a lot away to other cruisers. Best of all it is "as cheap as chips!"

Turkish Delight and other Sweets

Fresh Olives

Citrus

Egg Plant, Peppers and Gerkins

Pommegranites

Anything and Everything

Most Locals buy from the Markets

Persimmons

Grapes and Much Much More!

Alanya-Christmas Eve Party-Turkey- 2011

Dec, 2011
Many of the 'liveaboards" in Alanya Marina had a night of fun and games at the King's Pub on Christmas Eve. The Secret Santa Stealing Game was a load of fun and everyone ended up with a 10 TL(AUD$3) present!

Party Food Turkish Style

Tom and Fran

Maggie's Present

Tom's First Present was soon "Stolen"

Vivi being Secretive with her Present

Ava with the very Popular Preserves

Everyone wanted the Toblerone!

Jerry ended up with the Preserves

Vikki and Trevor ended up with the Toblerone

Bo with the Frisbees!

Alanya- The Noel Charity Bazaar- Turkey 2011

Dec, 2011

It was a beautiful sunny winter's day when we attended the Noel Charity Bazaar in Alanya Turkey. The stalls were organised by many different national organizations. There were all types of treats to eat and handcrafted gifts to buy. All proceeds went to charity.

The Giant Tree

The Band Prepares for its Performance

Tom deciding what to Buy.

Some of the Treats to Eat

Even Santa and his Reindeers Came Along

Handcrafted Gifts to Buy

The Pumpkin Carver

Just some of the Carved Pumpkins

Ice Carvers

Toffee Apples and fairy Floss for Sale

Fran Enjoying a Treat

     We decided to leave when the crowd became overwhelming!

Let's Play Tennis-Alanya-Turkey-2011

Alanya Marina

This is how we have to get off Hamamas when we go anywhere. It can be very exciting when the boat and the passerole are rocking and rolling around in different directions. Today we were off to tennis after being boat bound in the bad weather.

 (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

It's a Bit Tricky.

Tom Made It!

Tennis Anyone?

Alanya Marina Turkey Oct 2011

Alanya 11 Oct 2011

We are just back from a Visa run to the gorgous little Greek Is of Kastellorizo (Meyisti or Meis is the Turkish name) We spent many hours on buses getting to and from Kas (Kash in Turkey). Then a 20 minuite ferry ride to the island a few hours on the island and then back on the ferry to Kas. We spent the night in a lovely pension in Kas. Oh such a hard chore!

The Turkish bus system is incredible always on time and leaves about every half an hour to wherever you are going. The long distance buses are fantastic as they usually have 2 drivers who share the driving and the "host duties" which includes serving tea and coffee and cake tec. Each seat has it's own DVD player like on some of the planes . They have aircon and stop frequently at interesting restaurants for the major meals. Best of all they are not expensive! 

Antalya Otogar (Bus terminal) was as huge as some of the airports we have been in. There must have been 20 long distances buses leaving the terminal at 22.00 hours to places over Turkey.

Alanya Marina Turkey 2011

Alanya Marina , Nov
 Wed.

A bit of a blow is on it's way so no-one is going sailing today. Instead we are off on the free marina bus to Metro. Now everyone can stock up on the wine and beer other than Turkish Efes!

Thurs

Well that was a fun night! We were and still are, rocking and rolling around after a big storm. The waves are pounding over the breakwater and the water in the marina is "very agitated" Currently we are unable to get off the boat but it is due to calm down later today. Guess we do house chores today.

Frid

After our 'fun night" we had an even more exciting day. We were "surfing" in the marina and all the boats and docks were going in different directions so much so that we were "lucky" enough to break 2 dock lines and one spring. Mind you the lines were well used and the spring was made from crap material. 

Getting off the boat via the passerole was a matter of bravery and patience waiting for just the right moment to take the leap of faith. The walk along the dock was like trying to walk on an overcrowded swinging bridge! But .. we survived and all is calm today in the marina at least.

Alanya Marina Turkey 2011

Alanya Marina Oct 2011

We are settling into our winter marina and have met a number of lovely folk,, British, French, Dutch, German Canadian, American and NZ and Ozzie. We have been to the weekly BBQ (rugged up in our winter woolies) and to a Halloween evening, plus a trip to the Dim River and Barrage (dam) for a trout lunch as well as going to the fantastic weekly fruit and veg and "stuff" markets. So we are getting to know "Alanya."

The weather is sunny at the moment but will get chilly around 4 pm. That's when I have to have my shower. It's dark by 5.30pm- hate these short days and this "wintering" We are thinking of ways to avoid the "wintering" next year. This is our first winter in 4 years! We can't believe that the tourists (not the yachties) are still swimming in the pool as well as the sea! Crazy Russians! Oh yes Cleopatra swam in the sea here and they have a beach named for her plus a series of Hotels. Mind you the "beach" is all pebbles covered with dozens of deck chairs. Crazy. We are so lucky in Oz with our beautiful beaches.

Marmaris -The Castle & Museum -Turkey -2011

 

Marmaris July 2011

Marmaris Castle

We had a great day out recently when we visited the Marmaris Castle and Archeological Museum. Originally it was thought to have been  built as a fortress by the Ionians but was taken over by Suleyman the Magnificent in 1552 after his successful campaign against Rhodes.  

Later it fell into decline. However it was restored between 1980 and 1990 and now houses exhibits and artifacts found at excavations in the region as well as items found during the underwater archeological surveys conducted at Knodos, Burgaz and Hisaronu.

From the top of the castle there are panoramic views over Marmaris Bay, the renovated Greek houses as well as some of the streets of Marmaris town .

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Some of the Rennovated Greek Houses

A Rooftop Restaurant Overlooking Marmaris Bay

View over the Marmaris

Ancient Amphoria

Tom and I were surprised to see that such beautifully carved heads of of this man and woman were un-named.

Tom Posing with Head Of Man

Head of Woman

If you are ever in Marmaris it is well worth a visit and the entrance fee is only 3 TL!

Marmaris -Yacht Maintenance -Turkey-2011

9 July was an eventful day. First the young NZ Captain Ian of the beautiful 80' Stormvogal came aboard and climbed our mast in order to replace our mainsail halyard. It had been damaged by the birds in Rebak Marina pecking at it but also it was well worn. So that is one job that can now be ticked off the list of maintenance jobs that must be done before we can leave this marina. Stormvogal was used in one of Nicole Kidman's movies.

While Ian was at the top of the mast he removed a swallow's nest. Now we know why 2 swallows were flying around and around our yacht as we left Rebak Marina in May. We  both thought at the time that they may have had a nest in the mast but there it was at the top of the mast! Hope there were no eggs in it at the time.

Later in the day the guys from Marlin Marine came to try and sort out our Sea Recovery watermaker that hasn't been working correctly since just before we shipped Hamamas. Tom had tried everything he could think of to find the problem including changing the filters but still it wouldn't do a correct fresh water flush.



Marlin marine Watermaker man ar Work!

Well the guys also tested everything they could think of but in the end decided it must be the electronic card! So now we will have to wait until a new one comes from either Istanbul or USA. We will need the watermaker when we are out and about as  we will not be in marinas and have ready access to water and it is very dry here currently so catching water is out of the question.

 It was a hot day -hence no shirt- he did ask permission to take it off first. I thought that was thoughtful of him. I also had to take the photo twice as he didn't think he was posing well enough the first time!

11 July 2011
This morning Tom took the starter motor out as it required some maintenance. Then this afternoon he took the minibus into Marmaris all the while carrying the heavy starter motor in one of our shopping bags. He had previously arranged to take it to one of the stores so he assumed "the fix it man" would be there but... you guessed it he wasn't!
So as Tom didn't want to leave it with "just anybody" he caught the next mini bus home all the while carrying the heavy starter motor in our shopping bag.
Once back on the boat Tom decided to phone the store to arrange a time to take it in but... this is Turkey and no-one can understand our pronunciation of names!
So now our delimma is how will we know the guy is actually in the store?

12 July 2011
We are still trying to get things up and going again with the boat. However...
-it's been too windy to put the sails back on.
-we are waiting on new start batteries to arrive
-Tom has the starter motor out and is servicing that and...
- the worst thing- the watermaker's PC board is stuffed and that is going to cost us a fortune to fix as well as having to wait 5-6 weeks for it to come from USA!
That messes up all our plans for cruising in Greece for a few weeks. Looks like we'll be here in Marmaris not able to go anywhere. Grrrrrrr. So still no fun for us. Grrrrrr
Well there is good WIFI, a pool, a fitness centre, a library, a cafe, a well equipped supermarket, a bar, a restuarant, a hairdresser and even a nurse station! There's plenty of hot water in the showers and the minibus goes town every 1/2 an hour and a free ferry every morning so really... we can't complain, it's pretty good after all :))))