Life in a Turkish yacht marina…

The gathering of Liveaboards at the pub numbered 23 souls.  Since July, we’ve been scattered and transient, with many of us away sailing, crewing someone else’s boat, or, in the case of Joan and Jerald, out of Turkey altogether as they had to make a fast flight back to Canada to attend a sister’s funeral. 

The liveaboards also lost Herb and Beth, Frank and Edna, and, Fiona and Robert who sailed in caravan to Italy. These three couples left to continue cruising the Med.

Katherine had surgery at Caria so she, too, was missed for several weeks. Clint was called to England; his mum needed his assistance in moving into a new house.  Ian, regularly at three month intervals, returns to the UK for several weeks of personal business.  Patricia went missing for four months; she works in England just so she can afford to live the rest of the year in Turkey.

So, when Sue joined the afternoon assembly, she was surprised to see six tables pushed together and all chairs occupied. Conversation resembled the buzzing of a beehive but Sue’s voice was as loud as a trumpet fanfare when she exclaimed, “I am so delightfully amazed to see everyone!” 

“And hello to you too,” added Ian.  “We’re discussing winter flights to the UK,” June announced.  Her voice was followed by Martin who said, “And Canada.”  “I'm going nowhere this winter, but what’s the gist on flights?” she asked nonetheless.

“I hope Onur continues through the winter,” said Dan. “They have a direct route from Dalaman to Manchester - and, I think, to Gatwick or Heathrow.  I’ll have to check on that.” 

Ian, who always flies Turkish Cyprus from Dalaman, said, “I hope they don’t discontinue services in November. Last year they had continuous service all through the winter.” 

Sue joined in with, “Last year, the only way to get to Canada was either through Istanbul or Izmir.” She was interrupted by several voices murmuring simultaneously, “I hate going through Istanbul.  The Dalaman flights aren’t timed for smooth connections to international service from Istanbul.” 

“Yes, how well I know,” interjected Joanna, “I had to wait in Istanbul airport for five hours to get my connecting flight.” 

Someone else added, “I know UK airlines like EasyJet and BA fly regularly now but they still leave from Istanbul. But to leave from Izmir makes for a rather long and tiring journey as well.” 

“Yes, it’s almost a four-hour drive and then if you can’t get the right airline, it’s a stop in Munich or France” said Gloria.  Joanna then added, “I know, but the duty free in Munich has wonderful chocolates. I buy loads of them and I love their marzipan . . .”

“As I was saying” Sue broke in, “Last year when I couldn’t get flights out of Dalaman, I decided not to depart from either Izmir or Istanbul. I took the ferry to Rhodes, then an immediate flight to Athens and within an hour I left Athens for England.” 

“I remember that,” someone else said, “and on the way back to Marmaris, you got held up in Rhodes because the weather was so bad the ferry was cancelled for four days.” 

There was a moment’s lull in the conversation as everyone seemed to think of their own possible flight predicaments. 

Martin then said decisively, “I'm not leaving Turkey at all this winter. I did my penance last year and the year before that, and this year I’m staying put in Turkey. I don’t need to spend my time finding the right airline at the right price at the right airport, especially when in some airports the security hassles are horrendous.”

Almost in a chain reaction, comments flew forth:  “Excellent Idea. The holidays here are worth staying for. We can take inland excursions and see the Turkey we’ve not had time for during the summer.”

“Amen!” said all.