2009 Ports of Call 55 - 60

 

Click on this link and you will be directed to pictures of all 2009 trips.

 

Turkey:  Lycian Coast

Sep 8 - 13

 

After a pleasant 10 hour journey from Rhodes to Kas (the wind was behind us), we ended up at a marina under construction because there was no room on the Kas town quay.  Fortunately it wasn’t a long walk to town, although a bit dusty and ugly.

 

Kas (‘cash’) was a nice stop.  It was Greek until 1922 when it was resettled by Turks.  Now it is a thriving Turkish tourist stop known for scuba diving which Lee, Johanne, and Richard enjoyed. Sher got a massage and explored the town finding several rock tombs, including one of a 4th century BC Lycian king.  This coast is littered with rock tombs from 7th century BC to 2nd century AD.

 

Moving on we passed Patara, famous as the birthplace of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) and Turkey’s longest (12 miles) sandy beach.  Then to Fethiye which was a delightful Turkish treat.  We took advantage of a traditional Turkish bath (see above picture) followed by a rose-oil massage.  Dinner in the Spice Market was delicious and unique.

 

Cruising on we wished we had more time to stay in the beautiful green bays, like the one we anchored in for lunch.

Turkey:  Carian Coast

Sep 13 - 20

 

We stayed in a nice small marina in Ekincik on the border of the Lycian and Carian Coasts for a couple of nights before returning to Turgutreis for our final stop in Turkey.

 

The Lycians are known as having the oldest republic in the history of the world - a federation of 20 cities, governed by a representative body of the people and a president.  They appeared here 4000 years ago; is anything new?

 

We hired a boat (yes, paid to go on another boat) for the day to take us to some of the most famous rock tombs.  In addition, we visited the Dalyan sandbank where large, protected turtles lay their eggs beside a river delta of canals covered with reeds.  The ancient city of Caunos was also a stop that included ruins of a theater (150 BC), public bath, agora, stoa (colonnaded meeting place), temples, nymphaea (monumental fountain), city wall, plus a church that sent a representative to the Council of Nicea.  After lunch under the tombs, the day was capped with a mud bath (pictured above) and bathing in sulphur springs (imagine the smell).

 

Turgutreis is a stop for maintenance and Richard’s 35th birthday.  Then we head back to the Greek Islands.

Greece:   Leros Island

Sep 20 - 25

 

Leros is notable for the number and beauty of its bays.  The main port, Lakki (upper right bay in picture), is the largest and safest in the East Mediterranean Sea.  That is why we headed here on our journey to go north against the prevailing winds before going west to hit the islands in the heart of the Aegean.  It started as a smooth cruise out of Turgutreis, but before long we were in our worst rocking and rolling ride.  Hence, we were happy to tie up tightly in Lakki.

 

After WWI when the Italians occupied the Greek Islands, Mussolini decided to make Leros into an Italian naval base.  The whole island was turned into an arsenal, including underground tunnels.  They also created a new town at Lakki, tearing down old buildings and putting up new ones in art deco style.  WWII brought German bombs and the Battle of Leros saw Greek and British destroyer ships sink in Lakki Bay.  Hence, several memorials and a tunnel war museum are local sites.

 

The Castle of Our Lady is a fortress at which 7th century BC ruins have been found.  It provides the most gorgeous views of Leros and beyond.  We had lunch and dinner under the Castle and left at daybreak with a beautiful sunrise.