First Service - MB of Tampa

I'm marooned in the Mercedes dealership lounge in Tampa, waiting on my first service ( oil change and safety recall). I don't like the cult image so prevalant at MercedesBenz dealers. I love the car, but it is a stretch of my charactor to spend time and money this way. Used car dealers are used car dealers no matter which logo appears on their shirt; service departments likewise. I'll be out of here in an hour, Dick

Cruising Turkey with Brian and Tracy

The Gulet photo finally made it to the blog. Groups of 5 to 25 will charter these beautiful boats. There are hundrads of Gulets for hire in Greese and Turkey.

Mornigs are always quiet and peacefull. Many cruisers slip silently into the water for a swim before breakfast. We swam later in the day.

The morning hase lifted early to usher in another beautiful day.

Eileen loves to noodle around the boat in the afternoon. She usually counts laps.

Eating in the many cafes was always a treat. We had fun checking out the local dishes. A cold beer during the heat of the day was the ticket for a relaxed afternoon.

Posted by Dick

More of Turkey

Sailing from Marmaris to Saope Limani was one of the best sails of the year. The trip was over 30 nautical miles on one tack. The auto pilot did most of the steering, and the engine only ran about one hour. We motored through a narrow cut to find a quiet bay to anchor for the night. Large, beautiful, Gulets (chartered day trippers) stop and anchor along side for a few hours to swim. They sometimes spend the night. The Gulets have colorful lights and music on deck plus enteresting guest.

Photos are giving me a problem so I'll post them
next time, Dick

Turkish food & beer

Food is an important part of the crising life. Fresh vegatables are abundant in large open air markets. Most Turkish towns have a market day. The elaborate mase of tents, stalls, and tables are colorful, and lively. Young and old get involved in selling produce, nuts, spices, as well as clothng and manufactured goods. We shopped several times a week, ate in local cafes and enjoyed the typical Turkish dishes.

Open air cafes and restaurants are the norm. A Vegatable dish with yogurt, peppers, and rice served with crusty bread run about $2.00 in a local cafe. Add a lamb, or chicken dish and you have a great lunch for under $5.00.

Breakfast is usually prepared on the boat. In addition to cereals and oatmeal, we enjoyed the thick, creamy Turkish yogurt, nuts and fresh fruit. Lunch aboard is usually a salad and fruit. Dinners on Triumph are usually vegatables, chicken, or soup. Dinners with Meat and fish are usually reserved for eating out. Ciao, Dick

Brian and Tracy Cruising on Triumph

Brian's and Tracy's visit to Turkey was a highlight of our summer. We spent a day around Yat Marine and Marmaris walking the bizaar, and eating local foods. "Efes" the local beer was cause enough for a refreshing stop at open air cafes. We stocked up before we left the marina and salied about 35 miles on a brisk beam reach to a popular but uncrowded anchorage. The swimmimg was great in clear water. Brian and Tracy dinghyed ashore and enjoyed a walk to a Turkish beach cafe. They also explored the open air markets and ancient Miceans ruins in Fethiya, Turkey. More photo to follow. There must be a limit to the blog size peer posting. Ciao, Dick