Friday 5 June 2015: Long day for us old coots!

Our first interaction with the HF MEDNET after almost a year was at 0900 when we barely heard the day's net controller Robert on Quest somewhere in the eastern Aegean. Amazingly, we heard Michael on Limerick who was a half day west of the Peloponnese, in the southern Ionian and headed towards Marina di Ragusa, Sicily. He had been one of our neighbors in Finike. With no internet connection, he was dependent on the MEDNET for weax predictions which Louise on Lulu provided.

At around 1000, we shifted from the anchorage to the town quay of Bozburun, TR.

We had communicated with the LODOS agent named Mehmet via email during the morning. We'd dialed the phone numbers he'd given us but none of them went through so we asked in an email if he would call us - success! Mehmet's written English as well as his spoken English is very good. He was standing on the breakwater as we entered and met us as we tied up along the quay. There was also a dock worker who met us and helped with lines. Our cost for checking out:
20 TL to tie up on the town quay
120 TL for the agent
Info LODOS agent: lodos@bozburun.net; +90 252 456 20 92

Upon our arrival on the quay, we discussed with Mehmet when to meet him at Customs for the clearing out formalities. We agreed to meet in 1.5 hours so that we could spend some of our remaining TL at the great looking grocery store (Limani Supermarket) next to the quay. We then had a very filling lunch at The Bozburun Restaurant immediately next to customs with a relaxing view and excellent tasting cuisine.

Once checked out we were supposed to depart Turkey immediately... however, AB took a circuitous route back to the boat in order to spend the VERY last of her TL in a nicely appointed store several steps above a souvenir shop called Artisan.

At around 1230 we departed Bozburun and headed to Symi Is., to check in to Greece and attempt to connect via the Greek "WIND" internet company.... More on that in a later posting.

Around 1430 we arrived into the somewhat infamous narrow and deep town harbor knowing that we would have to med moor to the town quay. We'd done that here once before but we hadn't gotten a lot of experience doing it since. So AB was not really comfortable coordinating the anchor drop with the reverse engine to the quay especially since there's not a lot of maneuvering room. We made it work & learned some lessons but all said we'd rather anchor!

As one enters the harbor, we were berthed on the quay to the left. We paid 5Euro to the "Mooring Man" who really was quite helpful and kind - he must see many comedies of error in his business! Then a young man from the Hellenic Coast Guard arrived on his motorbike which doubled as his mobile office. He took a form from under his motorbike's seat for us to fill out and walk to the various check-in points, checked our passports and sent us on our way to the Immigration Police station on the other side of the harbor - on the second floor of the white building next to the clock tower.

Upon arrival at the office of Immigration Police around 1600 we passed a group of about 30 people sitting in a group outside the office cordoned off from the rest of us. We entered the office which had numerous very busy officials inside (one taking fingerprints from individuals) but they immediately set about to help us. Before leaving we asked who all the people sitting outside were - they said refugees from Syria arriving via Turkey who does not process them. The officials said that groups like this arrive on this very small island almost every day taxing the officials & local economy. Despite that they seemed genuinely concerned for the refugees and intent on doing right by them. It is a tough problem on top of all their other issues.

Off we went to #2 of 3 stops in the check-in process - Customs. This is located in the same building as "Duty Free" (very tempting) at the foot of the harbor - furthest from the entrance. It was closed at 1630 when we got there but were told it would reopen at 1800. We returned at 1800, checked in, received our Greek Transit Log and paid 30 Euros.

The third and final stop was the port police in a building located on the left side of the harbor as you enter - almost directly opposite the clock tower. It's only distinguishing mark is the Greek flag flying from the small balcony on the second floor. Albeit daunting - one must climb the stairs to that second floor located to the left of the building. This office also had several people sitting around outside. After paying the official of the Hellenic Coast Guard 15 Euro we asked who the people outside their office were. It was another group of refugees - these however were from Afghanistan. This office is on duty 24/7 but only process papers from 0800 - 2100.

Upon return to the boat, we were met by the lady who collects from those of us plugged into the quay's electrical stations. We paid 32Euros for our boat length for 2 nights.

THEN we imbibed in not one but TWO sundowners while relaxing in the cockpit. After the big lunch we were at this point more tired than hungry so showered and crashed before 2200 - we'd had way too much activity for ole folk! :-)