Into Turkey

After the Greek islands we were ready for another country. We cleared customs, changed flags and sailed into Turkish waters. Our first major stop was Marmaris, where we wanted to arrange a place for Malua over winter.

Yat Marina was a huge and well-run facility and, by October, was filling with cruising yachts preparing to haul out or remain in the marina for winter. It gave us a secure base and a chance to learn from cruisers who had been returning to Turkey for years.

Cruising the Turkish coast

Richard arrived from the UK for ten days and we set off along the coast. The cruising was excellent. The water is often very deep close to shore, so the usual technique was plenty of chain ahead and a stern line ashore. In some places bollards had been installed to keep yachts spaced along the shoreline.

Ten days went quickly and Richard returned to Britain. We then sailed south into the worst storm we had experienced on the expedition before eventually returning to Marmaris.

End of the 2007 season

At the end of the season I packed up Malua in Marmaris and left her there for the winter. The first Mediterranean season had carried us from Spain through the Balearics, Corsica and Sardinia, Italy, Sicily and Greece to Turkey. I would return in 2008 to continue the cruise.