Didim to Asin Limani

13 July

Further to our previous post the route to Asia Limani should have been straight forward were it not for the numerous fish farms. The further south we went, there were more farms and more farms.

These aquaculture sites produce fish for an insatiable demand for sea food. They are circular compounds that float on the surface anchored to the sea bed with numerous types of utility craft around them, probably harvesting and feeding their fish. More often than not they are well marked, but you have to be aware that in great numbers you must have clear passage. You do not want to crash into one of these.

Anyway as we were trucking southwards in a freshening breeze at around seven knots, Sam went up forward to spot for obstacles. All of a sudden she yelled "turn sharp left NOW".I was on the helm and immediately turned the boat up into the wind. In doing so the jib swung the wrong way across the forestry and it was pan domino for a few seconds. We had clearly avoided the obstacle but now had to sort the jib out as it and all the sheets (ropes) were flogging and starting to look like a birds nest.

We put the boat back off the breeze a bit and she was bucking like a bronco for a while, but we eventually sorted the sail out. After that Sam came back rather sheepishly and told us that she had seen arrow of white buoys across our path. But as we approached the "buoys" all took off in unison. They were birds, not buoys. She did the right thing in any case, it is better to be safe than sorry.

After this event we had decided to head out of the fish farm area and find a clear track to Asin Limani. Although longer, it would be less stressful path.

We entail approached Asin Limani in a very fresh breeze. This anchorage is under craggy slopes with a fort atop the eastern side and a small delightful village at the head of the bay. The ruins of ancient Iassus lie amongst the olive groves with goats grazing in the area.

It is an almost landlocked inlet. The remains of the ancient submerged breakwater from the western side leave a very small entrance to traverse to get into the bay. You must locate the minaret in the village and enter on compass bearing of 350 magnetic, which we did with no issue. Again in transit we put someone up front to make sure we were on the money.

Eventually we anchored in around 5m over mud, great holding. There is a small town quay, but it was full with some yachts and tripper boats. Although there we a couple of spaces, they looked suspiciously like berths for tripper boats that wee out on excursion only to return at dusk. On this occasion our gut feel was correct. Two or three oats returned in the evening.

Nathan set up Quack Quack and he and Meaghan went ashore to investigate.

At the head of the village is a restaurant with a big picture of JR Ewing from the old 1980 soapie series Dellas. On a closer look it was a photo of the owner with the JR hat that JR wore in the series. I guess he capitalised on some similarity between himself and the movie star. People came and got their photos taken with him wearing his hat.....well why not I guess.

We booked dinner there on the second night. The staff as usual were extremely accommodating. We noticed that there were flags of different nationalities on their back wall, so we gave him a Aussie flag. He was absolutely stoked, so if by any chance you ever go there the Australian flag was donated by the crew of Stella Mia

We also explored the ruins, and did run into a family of grazing goats...priceless. The ruins (Iassos)have their mythical origins as being founded by the Peloponnesians from Argos, and the artefacts recovered from the site indicate that it was indeed occupied in Mycenaean times and later colonised from 900 BC. This site is really enchanting as the Temple of Zeus, the city wall, the agora and the theatre proper can still be seen today.