4 Nights in SOBE-Miami, FLA, 3 Weeks Back Home in the US, Back to aVida in Turkey
06 April 2012
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20120306-20120406
4 Nights in SOBE-Miami, FLA, 3 Weeks Back Home in the US, Back to aVida in Turkey
aVida is Off the Hard - and Finally in the Water Again!
And, she actually floats! She - no, we - are happy as a duck.
In the beginning of last month, we left chilly and rainy Turkey to return to the good old US of A. We first decided to get some sunshine at our favorite wintering hole in SOBE (South Beach), Miami, FLA as a connecting point back to Cleveland. Generally, we revisited familiar salsa music and dance venues and many of their seaside cafes. But, it was so uncharacteristic of what we remembered of South Beach, until we discovered that weekend was the venue for a huge hip-hop convention. Many crazy partyers on the streets, resulting in our early to bed almost every night.
Following our mini-getaway in SOBE, we returned to our condo in Akron, OH. All was safe and sound. The following three weeks flew by, and yet it seemed so long since we had been away from aVida. It was as always good to see family and friends and familiar surroundings. After being overseas for most of the past 9 months, we appreciated all the abundance and choices available at any store or restaurant you can imagine.
We spent a good bit of time re-engaging with co-workers and issues at AVID. The management team has been successful at keeping the integrity and stature of the company in tact. We thank them and every contributing employee.
Our several days of flights to return to aVida in Turkey was truly gruesome. Many long lines of check-ins, regimented and thorough security, recollecting and rechecking our very heavy several duffles filled with more goodies for the boat, and two very long layovers involving sleeping on airport benches. We were extremely exhausted but delighted to see aVida again - she didn't move anywhere, and was the same as were left her.
After an entire day of much needed sleep, we tried to reset our time clocks, but the readjustment was gradual. On April 5th, aVida was pulled off the hard by the marina's big-legged monster (our name for their massive boat lift) and into the water. We motor sailed to ensure the engines were properly serviced and med-moored into the same dock space we had some months ago.
For the upcoming month, we plan to sightsee surrounding historical sights on the mainland of Turkey, then let aVida loose, and leave the marina to sail the southern coast of Turkey - which we hear is quite stunning.
Est the second week of May, we will prep the boat to voyage the Greek Isles when our friends MikeS and ElaineS join us May 12 in Rhodes - one of the Greek Isles closest to the southern coast of Turkey.
Updates to follow after our voyages.