Triumph Sails to Syria

1 June 2007

Well I'm in trouble now. I've used up all my superlatives before we reached Syria. What a fascinating, exotic place.

About ten of the 63 rally boats had engine problems on the overnight sail (mostly plastic fouled propellers). Some turned back to Turkey, some were towed by other rally boats, and some limped into Syria on their own. We are down to 59 boats who will continue on to Lebanon today.

The people of Syria are very warm and friendly, going out of their way to help us. It's a poor country, with very little oil, 30% unemployment, and a benevolent dictator. The day we visited Damascus he was re-elected (unopposed) for another seven year term. We saw his picture on posters every 100 meters all over the country. There were fireworks to celebrate during dinner, which interrupted the belly dancer's routine and drowned out her music. Unflustered, she continued her dance to the rhythm
of the fireworks.

We visited three World Heritage Sites (Damascus, Palmyra and Aleppo) on our three-day tour. I don't have words to describe these 10,000 year-old sites. I'll just say we feel so privileged to have seen them with our own eyes.

On to Lebanon tonight. It could be a bumpy 21-hour journey.

Triumph in Iskenderen, Turkey

25 May 2007

We had another good sail into Iskenderen, Turkey. We did notice reduced engine exhaust water flow, so we took apart the exhaust manifold elbow, but found no problem. Frank and Gail went on the all day tour to Antioch and the Mosaic Museum. After the engine work, we got a pizza in town and inquired how to get to Antioch. The pizzeria manager wrote out directions, put us in a cab to the bus station, and one hour later we were in the museum, which was very impressive. We had another party on the
quay that evening. Next stop, Syria!

Triumph in Mersin, Turkey

Friday, May 25, 2007

We have been pleasantly surprised at the good sailing conditions on this rally. Again, we sailed most of the way overnight to Mersin. The Milky Way was clearly visible, along with a million stars. Our welcome reception dinner the next evening was another lovely outdoor affair, this time with excellent traditional Turkish dancers. After dinner there was another great band for dancing.

Our bus tour of the region included twin castles, the Maiden's Castle and Korkyos Castle at Kizkalesi. We also visited Heaven and Hell, two large abysses hidden in a valley with a stream, which the ancients believed was the River Styx, the river surrounding Hades. We then stopped at the ruins of a Roman city, Elaeussa-Sebasten, four Byzantine basilicas and necropolises. After our day long tour, we dressed up for another formal dinner dance. Seems the only rest we get is on overnight passages!

So far we've had wonderful weather...warm, breezy days and cool nights. We've heard to expect 100+ temperatures in June, so we are enjoying this while it lasts.

Triumph Celebrates Cyprus

Tuesday, May 22,2007

We docked in Cyprus before noon and caught naps after lunch. This put us in good humor for the North Cyprus President's Reception in the castle courtyard. What an elegant setting for a cocktail party. The American Contingent went out for pizza afterwards.

We enjoyed a full-day bus tour to Magosa-Famagusta, through the 16th century fort, the Othello Tower and Venetian Palace. We saw St. Nicholas Cathedral (built 1298-1326), St. Barnabus Monastery and an icon museum. Our tour included another lovely lunch outdoors. The evening activities included a pirate parade and party. This turned out to be a LOT of fun...216 sailors dressed in full pirate regalia, and many townspeople turning out to photograph us. There were lots of pirate jokes, talking parrots
and sword fights. Our faces were tired from so much laughing.

The parade ended at a lovely five-star hotel with a sumptuous feast, Cypriot traditional dancers in costume, a professional belly dancer, and a terrific band for dancing. Wow. What a night.

Triumph underway to Cyprus

Friday, May 18, 2007

We are underway to Cyprus...two hours down and 16 to go. It is so easy and comfortable with crew aboard, I dread the day they leave us in Israel.

Bad news today. An Unfortunate Fall in Alanya, Turkey Henry, captain of Tapestry (our buddy boat last year) fell down stairs in his boat and torn a muscle. He is undergoing surgery at the moment to repair it, but will be hospitalized in Alanya, Turkey for three nights and casted for weeks. An disappointing end to their rally participation.

On the positive side, we had a Group Four pot luck on a big local boat in port two nights ago. We had a good meal with lots of wine, song and dance. The Swedes brought an accordion and had us all swaying with them to the rhythm of their songs. The Brits brought a ukelele and a harmonica, and led us in singing many British songs. The Germans and Americans sang their country's songs a cappella with foot stomping and clapping. What a fun night.

Last night we were picked up by bus and taken to the Red Tower in Alanya for a lovely cocktail party, then transported again to a beautiful outdoor site for a formal dinner. We were the American flag barriers during the flag ceremony. Again, a great band and dancing.

Gail, Frank and I went to town this morning for market day. We absolutely love to see the Turkish men and women in traditional dress selling their just-picked produce. We loaded up again on mulberries, Malta fruit, melons, strawberries and oranges. Fairwinds, D&E

Underway to Alanya

Wednesday, 16 May 2007

We had way too much fun in Kemer, especially at the Rally Olympics. The 11 boats in our Group Four won the hands-free bosom balloon race (a man and woman from different boats), the egg toss (Eileen won with a low backward toss of 12 meters), the hands free yogurt eating contest, and the potato bump (hang a potato in panty hose from your belt and knock a ball forward). We laughed a lot and were awarded a Bosch battery operated screw driver as a prize, plus a champagne party that evening.

We also had lovely cocktail party off the beach at a first-class hotel, followed by a full-course dinner and dancing until late. We are getting to know our Group Four members, who hail from England, Sweden, Germany, France, Canada and USA. Luckily for us, they all speak English.

"Octopus" left their disabled boat in Kemer and joined "Venus" as crew to complete the Rally. "Joy" is presently towing "Farewell" to the next port, while the captain of "Farewell" repairs his diesel engine. One captain broke his leg and will wear a cast for the rest of the trip. "Sugilite" captain flew home to USA to be with his critically ill mother, while his wife continues on as skipper of their boat. Lots going on.

We'll have a pot luck party on the dock with Group Four tonight. Tomorrow is a full-day land tour to a castle and famous caves near Alanya. And so it goes.

Update From Triumph

May 13, 2007

Hello from Kemer, Turkey!

We enjoyed a beautiful six hour sail in perfect weather from Finike. In Finike, we took a full day tour yesterday to the ancient city of Myra, church of St. Nicholas and a Roman amphitheater at Arykanda. We had a delightful lunch of fresh trout, grilled whole onions, hot bread, salad, potatoes and hot tea at a trout farm as we sat next to the gurgling stream. Our last stop was at a mosque, where a children's class demonstrated the Muslim prayers. A very interesting tour, followed by a group
cocktail/dinner party on the dock.

Another cocktail party tonight, and tomorrow a big dress-up formal cocktail/dinner party. The pace is ambitious, but we are loving every minute.

Update From Triumph

Triumph Joins the EMYR ( Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally)
Friday, May 11, 2007
We left Marmaris on May 7, spent a peaceful night at anchor, and joined the other 46 Rally boats in Gocek, Turkey on May 8. Our friends and crew, Frank and Gail from S/V Alcid, have been fantastic to have aboard. They are completely self-sufficient at sailing and boat handling, managing their watches without help, docking, cooking, cleaning, shopping, running errands, etc. Wow, they are spoiling us big time.

Dick and Frank took a boat and land tour in Gocek to see the Lycian Tombs, the curative mud baths, beaches and a fantastic Turkish lunch. Last night we had a Rally cocktail party, and then dinner with some Kiwis from Auckland who are cruising with their kids.

Today we four took a boat tour to climb the ancient castle from 2000 BC, complete with sarcophogi, and then to slowly float over a complete city sunken by an earthquake. Then we sailed to Finike, and experienced our first Turkish Bath (hamam). It was complete with steam room, hot marble slabs to lie on, exfoliating rub down, soap massage and shower. This nude, co-ed experience was new for us (male masseuse), but after the first few minutes we relaxed and enjoyed it.

Tomorrow we are off for a full day tour Lymra, Myra and Aricanta. The pace is brisk, but we are having a ball.