After ten days in this wonderful bay we put to sea in the early morning bound for Kalkan. The predicted light ten knot southwest wind only made its appearance briefly making our passage an uneventful motor-sail of 40 nautical miles.
Kalkan was largely forgotten after an earthquake, wars and a decline in sea trade. More recently numerous villas were built on the steep hillside above the old town. Yachting has played a role in Kalkan's resurgence. The old buildings were restored creating a high end resort town with many shops and restaurants while retaining its small village charm.
The harbour is very small with no laid lines so everyone performs a Med Moor. This involves dropping your anchor in the middle of the harbour and backing up to the quay. As a result all the rodes are fouled. More on that to follow.
After touring the steep sided streets Tim located a roof top restaurant. The meal and the view were spectacular. We overlooked the harbour as the sun set followed by a waxing moon. The weather here has been perfect. Light breezes during the day followed by dead calms at night. The is little in the way of noise - no car horns, no loud music, and no waves. When morning comes roosters crow and the town gradually comes to life. Temperatures have been 25 in the day and 16 at night.
Next morning, after a leisurely breakfast in the cockpit, we attempted to retrieve our anchor. As Necessity has a canoe stern we must go bows-to the quay. This involves dropping a stern anchor at the back of the boat that must be retrieved by hauling in by hand. As with the previous three departing boats we were fouled. An anchor rode was caught in the flukes of our Danforth requiring a dip into sea to free it.
As were cleared the bay a predicted 18-20 knot west wind filled in giving us a wonderful downwind sleight ride at 6-7 knots, Tim helming perfectly all the way. Just as we approached the outer point of the Kas peninsula the wind dropped to zero and we motored on in. A perfect end to a perfect day.