Thursday, September 17, 2015

Fethiye

September 8 - September 12 morning

We had a great sail from Marmaris to Fethiye. The winds were between 4-12 knots. We also had a really neat stow away!

our stow away

view from the starboard helm

Paige engulfed in her novel before the hair cut

great wind speed

view from port helm seat

nice sail shape
We were very happy to see some wildlife. In this case it was flying fish. These are the funniest creatures, every time I see them I think they are small birds until they submerge themselves in a wave. If you get a chance to see flying fish they will make you smile.

Once we arrived into the bay where Ece Marina was located we called into marina (the company that hit our boat is based here and they wanted to take a look at the damage). The marina told us to wait, so we maneuvered around the bay for 30 minutes and then said unanimously “forget this” and we went and dropped the anchor in the bay.

After we drooped our anchor in the bay and were hanging out I was looking out at the water and saw something. I yelled to Shaun and the girls thinking that it was a seal. Shaun came up and took a look and said that it was a sea turtle. It was a very big leather back sea turtle coming up for air. Second turtle we had seen. The other was in Finike. This was the first turtle we had seen while on the boat.

first sea turtle sighting
We decided to drop the dinghy and head into the dinghy dock and into town. Shaun started the outboard up and we both noticed that it was not running 100%. In fact Shaun had the throttle wide open it was sputtering. We think that it could be fuel leak, spark plug or old gas.

We walked through the marina, along the main street and walked into the Bazaar. Shaun wanted a turkish shave and we both remembered we had seem a barber/shave shop in a square. As we meandered we came upon a fish market where you buy the fish and can take it to your choice of restaurants that surround the market and for 8 TL = $3.20 CAD they will prepare the food and serve salad and garlic bread. It was a great concept. We didn’t get chance to experience it so do not know what the seafood prices were.

memorial for the pilot Fethi Bey where the city name Fethiye comes from


We finally came across the shaving place and Shaun was able to get a shave while we sat and waited hoping that a waiter would come and ask if we needed anything. No such luck. The table in front of us had 2 young boys and an older girl. The older daughter loved Jordan. After Shaun had his shave he managed to get us some tea. As I was waiting for Paige to finish her tea Shaun went into a linen/blanket shop that we had seen on our previous visit so he disappeared inside. I found him looking at winter blankets. We finally decided upon a black, silver and red design with a lot of Turkish designs. Tulips, ottoman signature, china design (squares), tree of life and the evil eye. (picture to follow when it is unpacked for winter).

post shave massage
The following day Shaun had a phone call from the company that hit our boat and he proceeded to explain that the marina people made us wait and never did come so we went back and anchored. Less than 5 minutes later we had a radio call from the marina asking when we would be available to come into the marina. He told them 10-15 minutes. Off we went getting our anchor pulled up and disrupting the school work. We headed over to the marina opening to wait around another 15 minutes. Shaun was so upset that we went back over to anchor again.

We went into town later that day to have access to internet and also to let the company know that we would be dealing with their insurance company as the marina is incompetent. This lit a fire under someones behind because we then had a spot arranged for the following morning.

We finally got into the marina the following morning. Before we docked the boat for the fibreglass work we were able to have our black water tank sucked out. We headed out to H dock on the outside of the marina and got ourselves docked and ready for the repair to be completed. We were happy to be plugged into shore power to charge our batteries and electronics.

Later that day we headed back into town to get Paige’s hair cut (so lovely to see her face but there were many tears involved) and I got my toes done for 20 TL = $7.00 CAD woohoo! I left the colour up to Jordan and ended up with bright yellow, just like her attitude.

Paige was NOT happy about the hair cut. She has had a bit of a poor attitude lately along with a staph infection on her head. We said that if her attitude and hygiene didn’t improve we would have her hair cut to a manageable length, her shoulders. She would not let me photograph her.

Shaun and I walked into the marina for a drink and by 10:30 PM I was exhausted so on the way back Shaun headed into town as he wasn’t tired yet. He ended up staying out until 2:30 AM. I was very glad I decided to go to bed.

The next day Paige and I went birthday shopping for Jordan as her birthday was coming up. We bought her new nail polish, activity books, a tracing sheet and some hair accessories. While Paige and I were doing this Shaun was shopping for roller blades with Jordan. This was to be her main gift. Later that evening we also purchased a red Turkey shirt as she loves the Turkish flag.

During our shopping excursion we went back to the linen/blanket shop and bought a beautiful scarf to send back home. It had beautiful patterns and colours. The patterns have the following meanings: paisley = almond design, rams horn = protection and security, ottoman medallion design, tree of life = long in paradise, nomadic tent pattern along the edges. After we purchased the gift I needed to send it at the local Ptt (post office). We headed over and went inside to find out what was needed to send a small package. The fellow at the front door directed us to a stationary shop 100 meters down the road so I could purchase an envelope. While we were in the store we found the envelope along with several other items that included wrapping paper, a cork board for Paige’s room, push pins and some very unique detailed colouring books. The store owner was very helpful. 

With our purchases in hand we went back to the Ptt. Paige decided to wait outside and look at her newly purchased book. I went inside and got into the correct line. The line was growing and there was only 1 lady servicing 2 departments. Of course there were several line jumpers which is quite common in Turkey……. It took ages but I was able to send the package registered mail for 9.50 TL = $3.80 CAD.

On our way back along the waterfront we saw 2 ladies taking pictures of something, I asked what and they pointed out a huge leatherback sea turtle (it must have been 100 years old). I think it is the one we saw in the bay the first day we were at anchor. Paige then spotted a second smaller turtle swimming in the same area. They both liked to swim under the fishing boats. Once we arrived back at the marina and were walking down the dock we spotted a big school of larger fish that actually looked like a dark mass in the water. It was crazy.

Later that evening Shaun and I went back into town after the kids went to bed to lounge lane. Instead of bars playing obnoxiously loud music these are smaller places with quaint tables to sit at. We played back gammon and chilled until far too late even though we were leaving that day for an anchorage 2-3 hours away.

Follow our video adventures on the following youtube channel:

1 comment:

  1. That's a beautiful picture of Paige reading her book. I am very envious of your sea turtle encounters!

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