Property Details of Aegean Charter Boat

The Deckhand's Tale; a holiday with a difference (Written by a recent guest)

We have found a different holiday that you may just be looking for. I'm writing this on the deck of Suzi Anna off the south-eastern coast of Turkey (near Rhodes). It's 6 in the evening and we are anchored in Selime Bay. We can see a scattering of pensions and cafes by the bay surrounded by rugged mountains. The temperature is 35°C while the seawater temperature is between 26°C and 28°C. The ladder to the water is in regular use as we are in and out of the water, swimming off the boat. The water in all shades from aquamarine to dark blue is crystal clear, so we can watch the fish from the boat or snorkel to get an even closer view.

Tonight we are eating out at Osman's restaurant. This means that Suzi Anna will draw right up to the restaurant's jetty and we will be met by Osman, who is a good friend of John and Liz. Most evening we eat on the boat as the sun goes down. This means that not many clothes have been worn since we left Marti marina two days earlier. Liz produces mouth-watering meals from her small galley and the ice cold drinks are welcome in between meal times.

I should begin at the beginning of the deckhand's tale. We travelled from Birmingham to Dalaman Airport where we were whisked off to Suzi Anna in Marti marina, a journey of about 1¾ hours through some magnificent scenery near Marmaris. We had expected to join a party of 12 guests as this was the number of berths on the boat. We soon realised that we were John and Liz's sole guests for the week.

John took us to the cash and carry on route so that we could buy our beer, wine and lemonade for the voyage. This meant that we could eat and drink on board, making it possible to be naturist all day everyday.

We met Liz and Suzi Anna in the marina. Liz greeted us with a very welcome pot of tea and some cake. Suzi Anna is a classic motor yacht which was registered in 1960 and has been lovingly maintained by John and Liz so that the original features have been maintained and additional home comforts introduced.

In the past, we have often wandered around marinas pretending that one of the boats was ours. This time we were going to sea ourselves. We had the use of the "stateroom", a double cabin with en suite facilities. Bed linen and shower towels were provided. There was plenty of space for luggage and for hanging clothes. However, once unpacked most of our clothes stayed put as we had brought far too many. A carrier bag with a toothbrush, towel, sunglasses and passport would have been a better estimate.

The boat has a white sun deck, a covered area which lets you lie in the breeze but out of the sun and a covered seating area for meals. Below deck the saloon has comfy settees and a dining table for cooler evenings. There is a hot shower on board and a freshwater shower on the deck to rinse of salt water after each dip in the sea.

John and Liz are Midlanders but have had interesting lives sailing the seas in Suzi Anna and as crew for rich businessmen. They are very welcoming, conversation is easy and you soon feel that you must have met them somewhere before.

On our first evening we stayed in the marina as the sea was, rather unusually, a little choppy. We learnt about some of the characters who live in the marina and about their boats. We also had a tour of the ancient church and had a look at the outdoor pool we could use that nestles in the hillside overlooking the sea.

The next morning it was anchors away and we said "goodbye" to our cares and our daily routines and "hello" to a relaxed life guided by nothing more than sunrise and sunset. Each day we moved along the Gulf of Hisaronu to another cove. The coast is sparsely populated and developments are restricted. The hills and mountains are covered with pine and olive trees, wandering goats and even the odd tortoise. Fishing boats share the sea, their owners and family fishing, gathering wild herbs from the hillsides and living on board for the season.

This is an idyllic life and all this deckhand is allowed to do is to brush water from the decks! It's just a shame that it has to end (for us) in another couple of days.

John and Liz share the boat with groups of 2-6 people between May and September. If you would like to know more have a word with Jon or Anita, if you ask nicely we'll even show you our photos or email the ones that John and Liz took.

Local Area Details

Many small villages ancient ruins and deserted bays and of course no trip would be complete without a visit to our old friend Osman

Additional Information

This property caters for disabled people

Property Features

* Has a Pool
* Close to a Beach
* Children are allowed

Contact Information for Classic Aegean Cruising Turkey

Name:	E M Langley
Telephone:	+34-966-461399
Alt Telephone:	+44-1614-083915
Fax:	--
Its completely free to send an enquiry! Use this opportunity and email the owner below to ask as many questions as you wish about this Charter Boat in Aegean.