Blogs from Fethiye, Aegean, Turkey, Middle East

Now that we made it to our destination for this season we decided to stay a few weeks to get familiar with the area as we get Tsamaya ready to leave for the winter season. After checking with the marina office one of the first things we needed to do was to find a place to buy a step ladder. This is not something that is usually on our list of things to get, but here we are finding that the dock is definitely a little farther down from our bow than other places we have been. We typically have a heavy plastic bucket (an old cat litter container which always makes us think about Sailor) that we fill with water, put the top on and use that as a step. We tried it, but still ... read more

Today we are travelling through the mountains to the Mediterranean to an area that was home for the Lycian people around 1400BC onwards. Originally from Crete the Lycians brought a different language and a unique political system. They would send a delegate from each region to be the representative at the capital. Washington copied this democratic system in America. The Lycians also proved themselves the most troublesome for Alexander the Great to conquer. They were so passionate about not being ruled over that when defeat was finally imminent they rounded up the women and children into a church and set fire to it killing all those inside. The men fought on to their deaths. No-one would rule over the Lycians. They preferred extinction. The Lycia area is a bump of land on the south west corner ... read more

One moment – an apology. I was looking at previous posts & have realised that I said that Peter from Holland was a prison warden; my mistake, in fact he was a prison GOVERNOR – Peter, I am very sorry; (everything else was correct – great cook, great artist & lover so Janette tells me; now we'll see if they're reading this!) A bit like when I asked the Marketing Director which territory he covered back in '77... Righto, off we go, but first to the shop for supplies to Kipa, part of Tesco (or as their FD was, 'stitched up like a Kipa') Met a German couple in a converted Merc van – raised, converted to 4x4 with a large living 'box' & painted in an earth & sky camo design. I told him that ... read more

Leaving Iran on 15th was easy, a 20km jolly to border, somehow managed to mislay my guide again! and they ushered me into border region quickly. But so many 'fixers' and money changers, all a bit of a shame compared to the easy pace in Iran. Mr Yazd came to Iran side of border with me, to help clear the carnet document, requires 3 different signatures, then quick Xray of bike on Turkish side, all done by 10:30. While Mount Ararat was looking down from just 20km, hazy from Iran side, quite clear while was doing border paperwork, but then clouded over when ready to take photo. So run across Turkey was abit rushed, with ISIS & refruggees crossing up from south, violence in some of the western cities (UK foreign office advice none too possitive), ... read more

Photos of Saklikent Canyon...... read more