Here we are in our 3rd week in Turkey. We skipped the Eastern anchorages of Alayna & Anatalya deciding we needed to get closer to where we were might stay for the winter instead. We spent a few days regrouping in Finike before hopping up the coast. More on that later...
Right now, it's Thursday, Sept 9th. We left the anchorage in Fethiye this morning after 6 days. We were anchored out in the bay to avoid the steep marina fees. Fethiye had some historic and interesting sights that we visited in between catching up with repairs & cleaning. We also crossed paths with our friends Fatty and Carolyn on Wildcard. We always enjoy hanging with them and they had the lowdown on the town.

For some reason, today was the day we decided to venture out. As it turns out, it is the first day after Ramadan or the start of their 3 day Feast Holiday. Probably their busiest time of their year! EVERYTHING was closed this morning when we left town. Out here, it feels like we are in Friday Harbor ( Lake Washinging during SeaFair) or the Last Labor Day weekend fling before school starts in the US. This anchorage (The Wall) maybe it should be named, Wall to Wall Gulets (Turkish boats) instead is jam packed with every type of marine vehicle known to man. It is like a revolving door. It is also the first time we've Med Moored ( back in with anchor out and tie to the shore) for real. It wasn't quite as scary as it seemed. But then again, the weather was totally cooperating and the spot we found wasn't totally crowded then. To protect the trees "bollards" have been provided for stern ties. They are marked with bright orange paint to help locate them. We choose our spot that had a bit of room between 2 very large Gulets. We put down 200 ft of chain in a very deep spot then backed up. Naturally the chain picks this time to jump off the gypsy and dump the lot ~ 300 ft, as we were backing towards shore!. Luckily we have the bitter end tied off... We recover, bring in 100 ft and slowly back up until the line (road )becomes taunt. We quickly launch the dinghy. Dave takes off to shore armed with line to tie to the "bollard". He is even in his crocs in order to go onto the sharp rocks. I am ready to adjust the boat if need be. We do have a side wind but Miss Freebird seems to be staying in line. I help to feed out the stern anchor road. Of course... there isn't any bollard there, so he now ties a line around a large rock instead, managing at the same time to keep the dinghy off the rocks. I'm really glad he didn't swim for it. I'm even happier that i didn't have to either. Phew
So now, we are attached to shore. Our neighbors to the port of us leaves in the late afternoon. Now our only CLOSE neighbor is a mega yacht with lots of children. Monohulls, catamarans, luxury power boats, gulets, dinghy's, tinnies, fishing boats, parasailing boats, bananaboats, cigarette boats, jet skies, snorkelers, swimmers come & go all day & into the night.
OMG, what a circus.

Today was our FIRST day of clouds & breeze. Maybe, just maybe the heat is lessening. I'm not going to say this out loud but, the flies & mosquitoes seem to be abating too. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, don't let them hear it. Rumor also has it too that come the 15 of Sept (1 wk from now...) ALL students will be back in school. We might survive afterall! EUREKA. Just in time for our visitors. They might have timed it perfectly for their 2 week visit.
No call to prayer out here either. What a relief. Looking forward to a night of uninterrupted sleep....ZZZZZZZZZZ