Gulf of Gokova Gulet cruise from Bodrum- August 30 th to September 6 th 2014.
This was organised by me after requests from friends who wanted to experience again after last year the enjoyment of cruising daily in the Aegean Sea exploring different islands and ports .
I chartered the Gulet once again from a very reputable company , Boating Turkey who found the Gulet I requested, plus a skipper and three crew .
I'd arranged for eight of us to travel to Bodrum from Didim by minibus and we arrived in Bodrum for 12.30 , found our Gulet and had boarded and unpacked by 1.30 pm .This gave us the whole day to explore Bodrum and wait for our other three friends to arrive before we had our evening meal on board at 7.30 pm .
The Gulet was called the Medsun and it was really well equipped with ensuite double bedrooms , an indoor bar / social area , an outside covered dining area and an enormous top deck where there was ample room for sunbathers .
Below is the itinerary provided by the company that we basically stuck to as we cruised the Gulf :
Day 1: Bodrum
Boarding starts at 3:00 p.m. from Bodrum Harbour. Early arriving guests can leave their luggage to Boating Turkey Office. On the first day, our gulet will be anchored at Bodrum harbour for dinner and overnight stay (The private groups have the chance to leave Bodrum harbour for overnight on a close bay to Bodrum). Bodrum has a history that goes back to the 12 th century B.C. The city which was called 'Halicarnassus' was the birthplace of Herodotus; the 'Father of History' who lived in the 5th century B.C. The 'Mausoleum' of King Mausolus (350 B.C.) which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World is in this city. The only structure that survived from the Classical Era is the Amphitheatre. It is one of the oldest theatres in Anatolia with a capacity of 13.000 guests, and is still hosting many shows and concerts for the art-lovers in Bodrum. Another place that you should visit first at your arrival in Bodrum is the landmark of the city 'Castle of Saint Peter'. It is one of the best preserved piece of work whose history goes back to the Middle Ages. 'Myndos Gate' through which Alexander the Great entered Halicarnassus is another place that you should not miss.
Day 2: Orak Island - çökertme
While you have breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise programme and the boat. Then we will set sail for Orak Island. Taking the opportunity to swim in the crystal-blue waters of Orak Island and to have lunch, we will hoist sail to çökertme, a small and lovely fishing town, for diner and for overnight stay. If the weather conditions are available it will be possible to sail. Guests are welcome to take a short walk on the shore.
Day 3: Seven Island - Küfre - Long Port
Before the breakfast in the early morning we will set sail for Seven Islands. You will be greeting another beautiful day in Seven Islands Region. In the region full of many small islands and coral reef it is recommended that you should dive, swim, sleep and rest. Our guests can also enjoy a walk in the forests surrounded with pine trees. Our first stop in Seven Islands Region will be Kufre Bay. We will be anchoring at Uzun Liman (Long Port) for diner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Tuzla - Löngöz - English Harbour
We will be anchoring at Tuzla Bay to enjoy a swim in the turquoise- blue waters. Morning swim will become a routine of your daily activities. For lunch; our captain will hoist sail to Longoz Bay; another paradise, sheltered with huge pine forests. After lunch you can enjoy a short walk in the forest and take a rest in Ali Baba's local shed-like cafe. Then we will sail to English Port for dinner and overnight stay. The name English Port comes from the 2nd World War; when the ships of English Navy -forces used to dock here. In this area there are so many small and large bays sheltered enough and suitable for the boats to anchor.
Day 5: Cleopatra Island - Karacasöğüt
Cruising to Sedir (Kedrae) island. This unique island with its small beach and unbelievable clear water is like an open-air museum. You can see the city-walls, the ruins from the Dors' reign (later on restorated as a church); the amphitheatre with 1500 guest capacity and the domed historical buildings. You can walk around the wrecks of pillars with antique writings on them or the ancient stones decorated with reliefs. Cleopatra beach, located on this island has a very special kind of sand that can only be found in the deserts of Northern Africa. According to the myth King Antonius had brought this sand from Egypt by sea for Cleopatra. Then our boat will cruise to Karacasöğüt village for dinner and to spend the night. This lovely village is located 25 kms away from Marmaris. The transportation from here to Marmaris can be done by 'dolmus' buses. We will have optional tours to Marmaris or Dalyan-Caunos for those wishing to explore these places.
Day 6: Kargılı - Kisebükü (Alakıçla Bükü)
Cruising to Kargılı Bay early in the morning. After lunch, we will be anchoring at Kisebükü (Alakıçla). You will see the Byzantians' ruins. We will spend the night in this lovely bay.
Day 7: Pabuç Burnu - Yalıçiftlik - Bodrum
We will sail to Pabuçburnu after breakfast, for lunch. Tea will be served in Yalıçiftlik Bay. Then our boat will be sailing back to Bodrum Port for the last day's dinner and overnight stay. (The Private groups has chance to spend last overnight on a close bay to Bodrum and return the Bodrum harbour early in the morning on the day 8).
Here are a selection of photographs from our week together on the Aegean which started and ended in Bodrum .
A view of Bodrum castle from across the Harbour .
A typical early morning sunrise .This one was taken looking across the English Harbour , where during the Second World War the British navy harboured in the secluded bay for safety.
Bahir helping Mark and Trevor plot our course .
The crew preparing daily afternoon high tea.The food and service provided by the crew was outstanding .(notice how relaxed everyone is on the Gulet ,relaxing , reading and just enjoying the ambiance plus the superb service .)
We stopped daily for a swim in the beautiful turquoise waters of the Gulf of Gokova .
Waiting for the four course evening meal .
Our chef along with his crew mate were very 'hands on ' .Here they were waiting to serve our daily pre meal drinks !
This Gulet was very similar in size to the Medsun , the one we chartered for the week .
Along with the opportunity to have a daily swim , other water sports were available to enjoy .
We saw one cloud in the week !
Fresh Tuna!In conclusion :
1- Everyone had a wonderful week on the water .
2- This was a very relaxing cruise as we went three days without walking on land ( this was our choice as we negotiated this with the captain , we picked our own route on his advice around the Gulf.)
3- The Gulf was beautiful, very quiet and this was one of the reasons it was so special and different for everyone .
4- It was in everyone's opinion very good value for money as it was a full board package that cost less than £475 per head for the whole week
5 - If you're interested in joining us next year or would like me to organise a similar trip for friends or family just email me on either :
stevebailey2747@hotmail.com
BaileysTours1@gmail.com.
Bailey's tours : it's not the destination it's the journey
