Friday

Set off to Gatwick to fly to Dalaman in Turkey – huge new airport with a huge Duty-Free area on arrival.  We’re met by our friendly transfer driver and taken in air-conditioned comfort directly to our boat. A pleasant 45min trip.

Saturday – early hours

Welcomed aboard the boat with a drink of our choice and shown to our cabin. Lovely and big – the bed could fit 3 on it!  Our own bathroom, had a lovely hot shower and went to bed.

Saturday

Bell was ringing announcing breakfast. What a spread of cheeses, jams, fresh white bread, fruit and omelettes. Don’t know if I’ll get used to the tomatoes, olives and cucumber! Plenty of tea, coffee and fruit juices.

Was going to unpack my dive gear but went to see the town with others. Visited the fish market, whilst some went for a Turkish Bath. Saw a turtle swimming in the harbour. Back on board for lunch and we set sail.

Beautiful scenery, anchored in a little bay and we all sorted our dive gear and went on our first dive. Later we moored in Turunc Bay, a restaurant and bar on land. We went for a walk on land up a hill and picked some carobs and oranges. Back to the boat for dinner – a fantastic fish BBQ and huge prawns!

Sunday

Slept on deck last night – was amazing under the stars. Wake to the bell for breakfast, then an early morning swim and we move to the first dive site,Yellow Stones. Loads of lovely swim throughs, a small cave full of prawns.

Back on board and straight back in for a swim. Lunch, then an afternoon sleep in the sun, during which the boat moves to another dive site. We dive again – Turkish Bath – full of amazing anemones, cave sweepers, grouper and many more. We return to the boat to afternoon tea and pancakes.

Late afternoon and another dive, then return to the boat to catch the late sun and another refreshing swim. After a hot shower, dinner is served – tasty chicken dish with rice, salad and bread. And to finish it all off some local fruits....delicious!  We have a drink with the other guests on board, the Captain and his crew. Then off to bed.

Monday

We cruise across the sea to Red Island, where we dived, amazing rock formations that look just like an amphitheatre.

Lunch was delicious vegetarian dish – baked potatoes filled with a medley of vegetables in a delicious sauce.

An afternoon laze in the sun to get my more than earned suntan, and then on to another dive site. Only just opened for diving, a small beach near St Nicholas Island called Table Rock. Beautiful rock formations!

We moor late afternoon at St Nicholas Island, where diving is prohibited. We head to the island and make our way to the top ready for sunset. There are 4 churches here where monks used to live. At the top after a nice steady climb we watch a beautiful sunset with the moon rising behind you. A glass of wine and then back to the boat for dinner. A nightcap and another night’s sleep under the stars.

Tuesday

We sail up the coast to Göcek, now an exclusive yachting marina; we walk through cobbled streets behind the marina.  Then head to a small bar perched right on the seafront and enjoy a drink and some fresh local mussells – ordered by the Captain – which were deliciously stuffed with rice and seasonings. Then head back to the boat for dinner and moor up around the corner at a small bay.

Wednesday

Ate
Dived
Swam
Ate
Slept
Dived
Ate
Dived
Ate
Drank
Slept

Thursday

Tried out water-skiing today. Was difficult at first, but when I got the hang of it was great fun. Went on a donut ride before dinner – don’t think I’ve ever drunk so much sea water, so much fun and would definitely do them both again.

Friday

We return to Fethiye where we get in the jeep and head to Saklikent and Tlos. Saklikent is inland from Fethiye, a canyon formed by centuries of melting snow. The leisurely hike towards the canyon starts by walking along a wooden track fastened to the rocks and suspended above the stream by iron bars.

Lunch on a shady platform overlooking the stream – delicious trout like you’ve never tasted! The water never gets above 0˚c, so after lunch we wade this freezing water and then walk up the canyon. Some young men help us to climb the difficult parts. Looking up, you can see where the rocks have fallen and been caught in the canyon.

On the way back we visit Tlos, lovely tombs found in the rockfaces, where recently new ones have been uncovered and are being shaded from the sun to protect them.

We head back to Fethiye late afternoon for some shopping. In the evening we go out to a charming restaurant, Meğri, located in the old town and with loads of atmosphere. Delicious food and good company makes the last night as good as the rest. After dinner we head to the Car Cemetery Bar for a drink before we go back for our transfer to the airport.

What a week!  Can’t wait to come back...