[nilo]

Then I came across the surprise of the day. The famous Dutch designer, who has designed Stentors as well, was there with his famous boat Mare-N. In my full size picture you can see him sitting on the aft deck together with his wife. Any guesses who he is?

On the way to Selimiye, which is a small village on one of the bays inside Hisaronu Bay, the sun and the clouds with the nice background setting was something to record and share. The island at the far end of the picture is the Greek island Simi. Simi is only few miles off the Turkish coast. It is one of my favorite Greek Islands. Greek and Turkish swimmers are swimming across in a friendly competition every year. Simi is one of the 12 islands in Dodecanese group of Islands, which joined mainland Greece lately, only after the 2nd World War. The Island was dominated by Ottomans (Turks), but majority of the population was Greek. During the 1st World War Italians have occupied the Islands and they have kept them under Italian rule until the end of 2nd War. Italian influence is still felt in some of the islands. Especially the Italian navy base Leros has some interesting buildings from Mussolini period.

Nilo

[nilo]

The way to Selimiye from Orhaniye has nice scenery with pine covered hills, extending all the way to the water front.

Nilo

[nilo]

Selimiye is a typical village on the water front. Lately some touristic activity is taking place and some nice restaurants have started serving, especially convinient for boats, as they all have jetties. If you happen to go there don't miss Sardunya Restaurant. The owners Muhammed Bey and his wife Leyla Hanim will let you taste some of the best food in the area.

In this bay we berthed stern to and after dropping the anchor around 25 meters, tied the boat to a rock ashore.

Nilo

[nilo]

After Selimiye I cruised back to Gocek, the jewel of Turkish coast. There were a number of yachts in the bays. One of them was Heesen Seven Sins in Hamam Bay. My next stop was The Club Marina, a naturally protected marina. The dark blue hulled boat is a Turkish build trawler yacht by Troy Marine. In the next pictures there are private berths, which are occupied with several Turkish and Italian build boats.

Nilo

[nilo]

Some more yachts on the private berths; one of them is a Ferretti Custom line 94, the other one is a Ferretti 88 and a Rizzardi 80. In the next picture, the boat with the green hull is the Hakvoort build Yosma and next to her is a Benetti. The sailing boat is a Turkish wooden Gulet. Then the big boat is the Bennetti Darnice III. Next to Darnice III, again a Turkish build boat Cigdem is berthed. In the last two pictures, build by Turkish yard RMK and designed by Dick Boon of Vripack; Caressa K, which is a nominee for Superyacht Awards is taking place.

Nilo

[nilo]

In this series of pictures there is a Moonen 83, White King, berthed at paper mill jetty and a Bennetti 23 meter, followed by a Turkish wooden boat. This is a charter vessel and she is built on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. She has a chestnut hull and a different design than typical Turkish gulets. In the last picture, the marina behind the Bennetti is Port Gocek, run by Camper Nicholson.

[bvimatelot]

Wow Nilo - some fabulous photos. I havent been in the Eastern Med for - crikey - nearly 20 years!! How Gocek has developed in that time! Interesting to see Darnice 111 - hadn't realised she was still around.

One Question: in my day it was very difficult to transit Greece to Turkey and vice versa due to the then political situation. How is it nowadays?

best, Tony

[outmywindow]

Yes, good stuff. I toured the Greek Islands and even lived on Ios for a couple of months. Although I've been to Istanbul and Ankara, I will defiantly show more interest in the Turkish coastline next time.

[nilo]

Originally Posted by bvimatelot

Wow Nilo - some fabulous photos. I havent been in the Eastern Med for - crikey - nearly 20 years!! How Gocek has developed in that time! Interesting to see Darnice 111 - hadn't realised she was still around.

One Question: in my day it was very difficult to transit Greece to Turkey and vice versa due to the then political situation. How is it nowadays?

best, Tony

Dear Tony,

Some 15 years ago, while cruising in the Aegean Greek islands people were somehow shocked to learn I am Turkish. However, this has completely changed. Firstly, it is very easy to move between Turkish and Greek waters and neither side impose unrealistic restrictions any longer. Turkish private boats and Greek boats do cruise each others territory and it is very common to see Greek flagged vessels in Turkish waters, as well as Turkish boats visiting the Greek Islands. Actually, nearly all Greek islands close to Turkish coast are now having ferry connections to the nearby Turkish ports. Turks move there for holidaying and Greeks move on a daily basis for buying cheaper products, even fresh produce. In some Islands like Simi, the economy is vastly relying on the Turkish visitors, who go there even for an evening out for enjoying Greek taverns. It is indeed promising to see that at this time when cultures are dragging apart, Greeks and Turks are realizing they are very much interdependent and their safety lies in good relations. On the macro level, one of the major Greek banks has bought a good size Turkish bank and the economic relations are also fast developing. Hope this will make these fantastic waters even safer and easier to cruise and more and more people will enjoy this area.

Nilo

[bvimatelot]

Well, Nilo - that is very good to hear. Now if they could only sort out the Cyprus problem...!! Actually, if I could find sailing/marina work there, I'd move back to my "spiritual home" from the Caribbean in a flash!! Tony