Turkish Crewed Gullet
Written from a guest aboard the 39m gullet, Seyhan Hannah. She has a crew of 4, a captain, chef and 2 deckhands. She has 6 double cabins all with an en suite and one large master cabin.
Saturday - Arrived in the harbour to find a waiting tender ready to whisk us out into the bay where the yacht was waiting. After a crazy ten minutes running around, exploring everything and not acting our age we sat down for a quick drink, dinner and bed.
Sunday - We woke up in a different bay, after the crew had relocated us during the night. Had a swim followed by delicious local breakfast. A morning going to shops in a small town, buying any extra last minute snacks and drinks; we sat down to a light lunch. Followed by an afternoon of water sports and relaxing in the shade having a siesta. After supper had a lovely evening star gazing on deck and chatting the night away.
Monday - Woke up to border control chugging away outside at sunrise, however this was dealt with professionally and quietly by the crew as not to disturb us. Everyone finally came up in drips and drabs. We took the dingy to shore and walked through the desert like valley until we found a bar on a jetty. In the middle of no where it was a truly unforgettable place to stopped for a drink. After the tender came into shore to picked up on the other side of the island, as the gullet had sailed aground the headland whilst we walked across the middle. After a lunch whilst underway, an ice cream man visited us before a snooze on deck. Woke up to us anchoring in a new bay with a castle, which was an ideal evening walk before supper.
Tuesday - All very slow in the morning. Motored round to Malas. Half the boat went assure to explore some ancient ruins and a theatre, which was only a short taxi journey from the port. The half that remained on the boat took the tender out to the local beach after seeing turtles and wandered around until they came across the turtle nests. Once all reunited back onboard and after a relocation to a new bay, lunch was served followed by an afternoon of water-sports and spike-ball on the foredeck.
Wednesday - Having a local guide was a great addition, as he organised everything and took all the stress off the family having to organise any further taxis or excursions. He took us cross country to an ancient aqueduct and we had an hour or two climbing, exploring and having a history lesson. This was followed by a visit to the Petara ruins, which was the perfect amount of time off the yacht and time to indulge ourselves in the local environment. Lunch at Durak restaurant is a must when visiting the ruins.
Upon returning to the yacht, we encounter our first issue of the charter. The anchor system had broken and could not lift the 350kg anchor. This was not a major concern as the skipper laid on extra service for us and we were in a beautiful bay.
Thursday - With the crew working through the night, it was still stuck, however they listen to my son who offered that they tied a bouy to the anchor chain and dropped the broken anchor, as their where two. Which, whilst this was an inconvenience and risk to them, they were very happy to oblige. As we motored out the bay, we were advised that the cliffs we were to be passing under were now engaged in a spontaneous military live firing drill, and by no means any vessels were to pass by. The captain was aware of the impact this would have on us and whilst he’s crew supplied us with a lovely cocktail, he managed to call the right people to allow us to pass. Arriving in party bay of Christmas Island right on time for lunch, with a local rose all issues had been forgotten. An evening of snoozing and ice creams on deck. Tea time was followed by walk up the graveyard to top of mountain on Christmas Island and an explore of the ancient water holding tanks. With the party boats gone for the night, the bay was deserted and we settled down for a freshly caught fish supper.
Friday - Lots of swimming and messing around before breakfast, we set off on 2hr motor before finding nice spot for a late lunch at the back of the boat, that was the joy of having two external dining tables to choose from. Set off again to a little spot near Fethiye for cake and afternoon swim. Spike ball and a lot of jumping off the boat filled the afternoon before everyone headed down to prepare for the last supper. A white night dinner party. Sat on foredeck with drinks and did toasts, thanked crew etc. Dinner at the back of the boat followed by games.
Saturday - Woke up had a quick swim before setting off to disembark in Fethiye. Half hour later arrived and left packed bags at back of boat. Wandered through Fethiye markets found a cushioned spot to play cards with the girls, whilst boys went to 450yr old hammam. Met up at the duck pond café for huge mezze lunch. Back to boat pick up bags say bye to crew once more & into the minibus to Dalyan. Chartered a small river boat and then arrive at the Mud Baths for a good scrubbing and a wash down before being jet hosed and finally a dunk in the thermal spring. Heading back down river to a gorgeous little spot on the river bed at a family run boutique pancake restaurant. Sat in a cabana looking up at the river with boats floating by with a selection of misty mountains in the background. Munched on pancakes - savoury and sweet. Back to the minibus and off to the airport to end an unforgettable holiday.
Itinerary
260Nm, 7 days, 39m Gullet, 15 – 22 September
Day 1; Kalkan Marina
Day 2; Kalkan Marina - Saribelen Island
Day 3; Saribelen Island - Aperlai
Day 4; Aperlai - Demre
Day 5; Demre - Kalkan Marina
Day 6; Kalkan Marina - Gemiler Island
Day 7; Gemiler Island – Fethiye