EMYR
Wednesday 14th May 2008
(On passage Kemer towards Alanya)

The yachts arriving from Finike last Sunday have now been joined by the remaining yachts at Kemer and the fleet, now operating in six groups, is on passage from Kemer towards Alanya. This leg of about sixty six sea miles is just a day sail. Yachts started leaving Kemer in the early hours this morning and most will expect to arrive at the new marina in Alanya before dark this evening. We have been told to head towards position 36 deg 33’.4N  31 deg 57’.0E. Our group leader, Jean-Claude on s/y Anthea, says this is a true WP and the new marina really does exist because he has checked on Google Earth to prove it for himself. The new marina is recently constructed so doesn’t appear in the available pilot books. For that matter it doesn’t even appear on our Navionics chartography either. So, as I write this newsletter we are heading due east, in the company of eighty or so yachts, towards an unspecified mountain. Fortunately the 1st April is long gone so worry us not!

Our time spent in Kemer has been absolutely brilliant. On the first day yachts arrived (Sunday) we held group meetings to help everyone get to know immediate new friends in each group and to tell us more about the forthcoming planned events. Turkiz Kemer Marina then provided everyone with first taste of things to come, at the Welcome Cocktail.

On the Monday morning most of rally took the opportunity to go on the organised tour visiting Tahtali Mountain, where they got to ride the cable car. They then visited Phaselis, an ancient historical sight on the coast, just to the north of Kemer. In the evening everyone turned-up in smart dress for the Turkiz Kemer Presentation Cocktails and Rally Dinner. The marina had decked-out a section of adjoining beach and made it into a restaurant and dance area. A quality band playing live music was just the excuse needed for most people to swing around the dance floor, between and following, four courses of fine cuisine, digesting amongst copious amounts of alcoholic delights. We estimate about four hundred people, made up from rally participants, Kemer liveaboards, and representatives from Turkiz Kemer Marina and rally organisers, and must have been fed, watered and entertained. Indeed, a grand time for all.  
On the Tuesday morning the Kemer livaboards organised a hoot of an event ‘The Kemer Olympics’ no less! Each group fielded representatives in competition to other groups and those like us watched in amusement and cheered the competitors along. An excellent traditional döner kebab ‘Navigator’ lunch was followed by a flare demonstration, then a presentation in the Kemer City Hall (to wet our appetites with a slideshow of the expected events to be enjoyed during the coming weeks).

Kemer is the place where the EMYR was created and started. The marina has an enviable reputation, which is well deserved. The marina owners, managers and staff will be very proud of the high standards they have achieved in welcoming this year’s EMYR. Sue & I have been made to feel very special during our stay in Kemer. Also a special thanks to the Kemer livaboards. A motley crew of partygoer sailors lead by Trish & Ted (on s/y Rhumbline) responsible for organising visits and events on an entirely voluntary basis at the cost of lost sleep and plenty of planning time.

I must take this opportunity to mention one or two of the characters we are now introduced to. The first is ‘Boss Man’ David, on s/y Myshona, who sounds all proper and authoritive on the VHF. He’s a bit special because of his real jolly-style character – being a posh scouser from Upton, in the Wirral! When he talks to me his scouse accent erupts into pleasurable words of wit, rime and reason common to all as scouse humour.

Then there is Jean-Claude, our Group Six leader, on s/y Anthea, He could be the friendliest person possible. Sue describes Jean-Claude as a bit of a cross, having the looks and presence of Charles De Gaulle expressing wit and charm of Rene of “Alo Alo” TV comedy fame. When s/y Anthea raced past us this morning he joked his way in front of us by saying he needed to get to Alanya to tie us up!

Best wishes and regards to all our friends.
Sue & Alan (& Ted, our temporary stowaway)
s/y Ticketeeboo.