Cesme 

38 08nN 26 27E 

We are now 14 boats and 9 nationalities 

We had another pretty uneventful trip from Ayvalik very little wind until late afternoon.

Our stop over in Cesme was the town marina an attractive setting very near to the town centre and dominated by a castle of Genoese origin.

Cesme is a holiday town which is rapidly expanding with a fair amount of both Turkish and foreign investment. 

The surrounding coast is very pretty with lots of anchorages and islands. It would make an ideal proposition for extended cruising combining this with Ayvalik. There is a small charter fleet in the marina which operates in the summer months. 

Our trip was around the town and the surrounding countryside the guide was extremely informative giving us lots of information not only about Cesme but Turkey in general.

One of our first stops was to a place were hot water wells from the sea bed. Because last time we visited here we were unaware of this no one took their bathing costumes. Kath made sure this time she took advantage and along with Mary Helen (Bountainire) Marjorie and Phillipe (Marjo) immersed them selves in the hot water whilst the rest of looked on. 

We then visited the ancient site of Erythrai unfortunately most of it had been removed in the past to build local homes and buildings elsewhere in the locality; never the less it was interesting especially the amphitheatre.  

We had another wonderful lunch and then onwards to Agriler reputably the fifth windiest place in the world and obviously great for windsurfing.

It was originally a Greek village and the architecture is interesting the church has been converted to a Mosque but still retains it internal features only the icons have been masked over.

It has a wide range of shops selling local crafts and produces Marion (Avanta) buying a beautiful carved plant holder. 

It was raining when we arrived back in the Marina so the venue was changed from outside to using a local trip boat for the cocktail and barbeque. 

We had lo0cal barbequed fish I think we must have had the entire catch of Cesme it really was very tasty.

Both the Governor and the Major came along and the rally plaque was presented by Marjorie from Mar Jo. 

The party kept going till very late with copies amounts of wine and Raki been consumed (try Raki with fanta) so saying a goodnight we rolled to our bunks. 

A special thanks to Mustapha for his help and organisation. 

We now look forward to meeting other boats in Kusadasi and a pot luck dinner this evening.

There is little wind today but the sea is calm and we are making good time.

Dave and Kath

S/Y Mashona (runs on Raki)