After leaving Alanya we had another long slog over to Cyprus. We arrived into Kyrenia and headed for the old town where we had arranged to meet some friends whom we hadn't seen for over 10 years. The following day our son Sean and his wife Dani and their friends joined us for a few days as we started our journey around the pan handle. It is lovely to have other people on the boat for a change. After anchoring for two nights in 'so called bays' which had no protection from the angry cruel sea we were relieved to arrive at Karpas Gate Marina. What a find! Beautiful new clean marina with infinity pool, beach bar/club, restaurant, gym. Stunning place. We got chatting to a couple in the bar who showed us where the local Monday market was and most importantly where to get the best kebab we have ever tasted. Tempted to winter the boat here. We shall see.

We had to cross the huge bay today still inching our way east. After motoring 14 hours we eventually arrived in Alanya. A huge place. The city centre is full of beaches, restaurants, castles, caves and museums. It is full of charm and history. We visited the ship building museum (not like a museum at all) as it is in the arches under the castle right on the waters edge and then we took a city tour on the little train before eating out. At night we had a cool breeze blowing off the mountains coming through the cabin window which was lovely as it's unbelievably hot.

We have gone 42 miles around the corner into the next bay and are now in Kemer marina. This town could not be any more different to Finke. This is where all the Russians come for their hols. Last night the town was full as everybody was out watching Russia v Croatia. The atmosphere was electric and when Russia scored there were giant sparklers and fireworks. Only one thing for it - GET ON THE VODKA AND JOIN THEM.
There is a distinct lack of people who speak English here so in our effort to go up the Olympos Teleferick (big posh cable car) we got on a couple of wrong buses! It was worth the trouble and we sampled a lovely cheese and spinach pancake at the bus terminal haha

Finike is known as the gateway to the orange groves. We will refer to it as 'The Bay of the jumping fish'. Grey mullet were jumping and splashing in and out of the water all day long. (Apparently, leeches attach themselves to the mullet's head and it is the mullets way of getting them off by leaping out the water!) We had the loveliest freshly squeezed orange juice from locally grown oranges and visited the local Saturday market where we came away laden down with fresh produce. We were laid up in Finike marina for 3 days as the wind was blowing in excess of 28 knots so safer to be tied up in a marina. Spent a very windy day on the beach which measures 10km and that cooled us down as it is now nudging 42 degrees centigrade.

Had an amazing day. Went over to the Greek Island Kastellorizo and visited the Blue Caves on a speed boat. Got up close and personal with our new friends. Amazing time eating huge prawns and throwing the leftovers to the turtles.

Kalkan was a beautiful little place with the smallest of harbours and where the biggest of tripper boats park up. We had a gorgeous meal in a roof top restaurant and the choice of restaurants was immense. We saw a turtle swimming around our boat which was lovely.