This was the best sail yet. We left Kemur at about 4 am and motored slowly out of the bay. There were boats everywhere, all having the same idea of getting some miles in before light. Unfortunately one of our group got tangled up in some fishing buoys just ahead of us and had to be towed back to the marina and divers called to sort out the problem. The wind grew steadily and we had a brilliant beam reach most of the way across the bay – 20 + knots of wind with a slightly following sea. We left all the sail up and stormed through the fleet – unfortunately the wind died late morning and we were soon caught up! Belle Helene prefers a little more wind than some of the other’s in the fleet. We arrived at Alanya, bang on time having sailed most of the way. Even more enthusiastic marina staff soon had us moored up and getting ready for yet another welcome cocktail. Another great affair around the pool at the yacht club.
The following morning we had yet another 4 am start as we were heading off on a two day tour to Capadocia. Basca, our very enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide kindly allowed us to sleep for the first couple of hours before starting on the commentary! We stopped for breakfast just past the Taurus Mountains – a traditional Turkish Kahvalta with cheese, tomatoes, olives, cucumber and bread. This was the first of five meals on the tour all of which were included in the price of just 85 Euros per head – amazing value. We were due to visit a museum in the morning but it was closed for cleaning so we agreed to try and do it on the way back.
The first stop was at a coaching inn which had been converted into a restaurant – not quite sure the significance of it but it was a useful loo stop!
The next stop was Seratli at around 11.45 a.m. where we visited an underground city.
We arrived at our hotel ‘Prokopi Hotel’ at about 7.15 p.m. and after a quick shower and change, dinner was served at 8 p.m. in the restaurant.
Next it was lunch in Cappadoccia at 1.30 p.m. – tables were laid out with various mezes and bread. We were then served lentil soup followed by a meat stew with rice, dessert was yoghurt and honey. A traditional Turkish lunch.
We spent the rest of the day sightseeing – Guvercinlik Valley, Extreme Fortress castle, Goreme Valley, the Fairy Chimneys, Cavusin Church and the Monks Valley. The scenery is stunning and we ended the tour with a glass of wine watching the sun go down on top of one of the valleys.
.
We arrived at our hotel ‘Prokopi Hotel’ at about 7.15 p.m. and after a quick shower and change, dinner was served at 8 p.m. in the restaurant. An early night was in order as we had yet another 4 am start in the morning.
We were up at 4.30 a.m. to leave at 5 a.m., being collected from the hotel by mini buses to take us to the air balloon site where coffee or tea and bread rolls were served. We actually took off in the balloon at 6 a.m. having to climb into the basket which held 26 passengers. Our pilot told us that when he started flying in 1998, there were only two companies operating balloon rides, now there are 15 companies. The number of balloons up in the air was amazing, there must have been about 60, the pilots talk to each other via radio to let each other know their intentions and if they are too close to one another.
After an hour or so the pilot managed to find a safe landing area and the ground crew with their 4 x 4 and trailer manoeuvred into position for the landing. The pilot actually landed the basket on the trailer at the back of the 4 × 4 – incredible. We all had champagne and then it was back to the hotel for breakfast at 8 a.m.
At 9 a.m. we left the hotel and our first stop was a pottery factory in Avanos called Guray Seramik where we were given a guided tour. The showroom had some beautiful ceramic and pottery for sale. Although we couldn’t afford the 7,500 Euros for some of the posher items, we did buy a small vase for the boat (20 Euros!). The business has been in the same family for 600 years and we met two of them both called Mustafa, one was the salesman and the other a master potter. He gave us a demonstration of ‘throwing a pot’ and then one of the group had a go – very amusing!
We then stopped for lunch in Konya before visiting the Mevlana Museum in Konya, the home of the swirling Dervishes and where the tombs of Seljuk Sultanate of Rumi and various other sultans are seen.
On our way back to Alanya, we stopped at a couple of places to take in the breathtaking scenery of the Taurus mountains.
We finally arrived back on the boat at 8.30 pm falling into bed completely exhausted after a brilliant trip!
The following day was a day of rest when we managed to get the washing done in the free marina laundry. In the evening we all went to the formal dinner at the yacht club. An opportunity to get dressed up!
Thursday morning, skippers meeting where we discussed our night passage to Girne in Cyprus. A light lunch at the marina cafe and we left Alanya at 4 pm for the night passage. We had a great trip, little wind and clear skies arriving in Girne in our allotted slot at 10 am. Perfect.
No comments:
Post a Comment