Well, I am still catching up on the blog sitting here in Istanbul. We leave tomorrow for home so there is still a little bit more time to  go before we hit the long drag to Australia, via Amman and Bangkok, about 36 hours all up with stop overs. Too long, better planning required next time.

We headed off for Oludeniz at 5am so as to cross the Fethiye Gulf before the wind got up and roughed the sea up. Heard the gulet get going but rolled over until 7am. Breakfast is about 8am each morning so there is no need to rush.

The beach at Oludeniz, we were at anchor.

Lined up at the pier in Fethiye.

Oludeniz is one of those magic sort of places where the ocean laps at the shoreline and then spills into a lagoon across a pebble beach/spit with colourful umbrellas and beach chairs. Lots of people lounging about on the sand. We paused here for a swim, the Captain always announces swim times  with a loud ‘everyone swimming’.

After awhile here we backtracked into Fethiye Bay and stopped over the next few days a various islands and coves for swims and exploration. Gemiler Island where it is believed the original tomb of St Nicholas is located, along with the remains of several churches from the 4th to 6th centuries. 

Some crumbling ruins standing guard on Tersane Isl

A young cow looking for fish on Tersane Isl.

 Tersane Island which showcases the ruins of a number of cottages from the early 1920s when the island’s population was shifted to Greece following the Turkish war of independence. There is now a farm covering the area with sheep, goats, cattle and donkeys wandering around getting fat. A major operation for the farm though is operating a bar and restaurant for travellers like us to have rest at. 

A few of us enjoying an Efes at the bar on Tersane Isl.

Donkey or Mule (who cares which?)on Tersane Isl.

We also called in at the submerged ruins of a Roman Bath house reportedly where Mark Antony seduced Cleopatra. We went ashore here and also snorkelled around the complex. 

The submerged ruins of Cleopatra’s Baths. The land here has subsided and the baths lie in about 2 metres of water.

Overlooking Mamaris Harbour from the Panorama Bar, someway up the hill behind the port.

We returned to port at Mamaris , farewelled our fellow travellers and after a night in port returned to Istanbul aboard Turkish Airlines.