Sunday 29 July 2012

Israel


ISRAEL 

Tuesday 12 June finally saw us on our way to Haifa in Israel which was a trip of around 28 hours or so.  We departed Famagusta at 0730 hours and had to head 12 nautical miles east to the waypoint before changing course for Haifa.  Had some light wind so tried with the Gennaker, but after persevering for an hour gave up and started motor sailing.  Not much happening and had lunch around 1400 hours with around 103 nautical miles to go.  The wind came up a bit so we managed to sail for the next part of the journey until it died out again around 0400 hours the next morning.  Had a great sail until then and nothing of note except the nice beef stew we had for dinner.  Sounds like we do nothing but eat and drink .......well !!!!!
At 800 hours as scheduled we all arrived at the coordinates where we had to wait before crossing “the line” into Israeli waters.  As we had been advised we were met by Israeli gunships which came alongside and asked questions as to where the yacht was registered, number of crew, ships details etc. 

Although they had personnel manning the guns they were very friendly and wished us a pleasant stay in Israel.  We were then allowed to proceed to the entrance to the port where we were met by the Immigration boat, also with armed personnel, while our passports were checked and verified before we were allowed to enter the port.
The marina was adjacent to the commercial port, and unfortunately was quite basic and a distance from anywhere.  However the yacht club members made us very welcome and arranged for a walk along the river followed by drinks and a snack on the quay side in the evening.  Prior to this we had a few cocktails on Awatea for Pug and his crew off ‘Maxi Cosi’, Dave from ‘Mashona’, and Shaun & Jane off ‘Happy Hour’.  In the afternoon Mike & Annie from ‘Kandeed’ had given us some lovely tuna steaks from the catch they made on the overnight sailing.  The tuna was beautiful and fresh so were on the menu for dinner that night – joined by Shaun & Jane.
The next day was really hot and nothing much planned apart from having the AIS fitted, with John, Robert and Derek running all the cables for the technician to complete the install.  Fortunately it all went well and was up and running in the afternoon in time for us to get ready for the cocktails and dinner (yes – more food and wine) which the yacht club was hosting on the river bank behind the marina.  It was a really great night with fabulous food and a really good DJ.  Needless to say everyone had an enjoyable time dancing the night away until the early hours.
 
 

Another hot day and we had arranged to do a tour to Akko - a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Akko or Acre as it is also known is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country.

Acre was one of this region’s important cities in ancient times. Various cultures made their home here, the Crusaders captured it and the Ottomans lived here for many centuries. Even Napoleon Bonaparte tried to lay his hands on Acre and conquer it, but after two months of siege and failed attempts to storm the city’s walls, he retreated in humiliation.

The fascinating history that has passed through the streets of Acre, the legacy left behind by its conquerors, the buildings that adorn the city and the places of worship built there are just part of the experience this city offers. Among the high-walled alleys and underground passages there is a huge mosque and a Christian monastery, an inn and Turkish baths, halls built by the Knights Templar, with an extraordinary Templar tunnel and fascinating archeological findings. 
 

These are joined by intriguing museums and many churches, a row of hotels near the inviting beaches, a marina, restaurants and a picaresque fishing port.  After exploring we had lunch at a local cafe, and as the old city is only inhabited by Arab Muslims, were pleased when we were able to get a nice cold beer.  

On the way back we stopped at a supermarket to get some supplies as nothing was available near the marina itself.  In the evening the EMYR sailors were all being hosted by local Israeli families at their homes, which apparently is and EMYR tradition.  Prior to our home visit we stopped by ‘Agapanthe II’ as it was Christian’s Birthday, and we had sailed with them from the very start at Istanbul.  We were then picked up by our hosts for the evening and were fortunate in being invited to the home of the Commodore of the Yacht Club and his wife.  We were joined by Zekai & Ayse, our Turkish friends from ‘Karaduman’, and also our French friends from ‘Ael-Mat’, and we all had a fantastic evening.  It was so nice to meet the family with 3 generations present, and the food they prepared was superb.  A truly enjoyable night!!!
ASHKELON
We had a night sailing to the next port of Ashkelon, a run of about 90 nautical miles.  
We used the day to get the yacht ready, take on water etc.  Robert did a morning tour of Haifa, but being the Sabbath it was a bit of a disappointment as very little was open.  We finally departed around 1930 hours, out into a sea like glass and virtually dead calm.  Arrived at Ashkelon marina around 1200 hours and after berthing went along to the welcome tent for cold beer on tap and were given some mementos by the marina staff.  

A really nice idea – will have to suggest it as a norm for every arrival!!!  For lunch we walked along to a restaurant in the marina called Scubar with Pug and a few others, and although we ordered salads thinking it would be a nice light lunch, they proved to be huge meals.  That evening it was a pot luck dinner on the pontoon which was fun and the food everyone brought along was really good.
 

The next day Robert left us for a 4 day tour of Jordan.  John & Derek walked up to the local market for some supplies, and were hoping to get chicken livers as Kath from ‘Mashona’ said she would make some of her special pate for us. Unfortunately it was not to be – not a chicken liver in sight!  We came back to Awatea and cooked hamburgers for lunch.  We had invited Jane & Russell from ‘Ta Be’ and Dave & Kath from ‘Mashona’ for dinner and had a fabulous roast lamb meal.  Kath arrived with a large bowl of pate – somehow she had managed to get the chicken livers, and it was a really delicious treat.  The drinks flowed and it was a very late night, but extremely enjoyable.
John had to go to the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv to get some documents signed, so in the morning we headed off by bus to the station and boarded the train for Tel Aviv.  Unfortunately we missed the stop we needed and ended up in Herzliya, so by the time we got back into Tel Aviv decided to get a taxi to the Embassy.  They recommended an Asian restaurant just around the corner called ‘River Restaurant’, and the food was superb.  After lunch we walked to the old port/town of Jaffa which is believed to be one of the oldest in the world.   Jaffa is also famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.  It was then back to the marina and we noticed a lot of young guys and girls in uniform travelling on the buses and trains with machine guns slung over their shoulders and resting on their laps – quite strange to us!  The marina hosted us for dinner in the evening at one of the marina restaurants which was very enjoyable with lots of wine & beer and a very good buffet meal.  Had another of the flag ceremonies and the usual speeches and presentations. 

During the night several rockets were fired towards Ashkelon from the Gaza, and some were seen exploding in the sky after being hit by the Israeli missiles.  All very exciting!

Next morning and we did a few chores in preparation for our trip down to Egypt, and time to stock up on a few essentials.  Unfortunately during the day the Committee had word that Egypt had closed Port Said because of the impending results of the election, and said they could not guarantee our safety there or in Cairo, as large demonstrations were being held.  Another disappointment for everyone!  A decision was made that we would proceed directly to Herzliya and the rally would finish a week earlier, with the final rally dinner to be held on Sunday 24 July.  Although it was another blow after not being able to go to Lebanon, it means that we can bring forward our plans to go to Jordan after the end of the rally, and then head back to Cyprus.  It was Jean Paul’s birthday as well as his boat “Vanille’s” 25th Birthday, so a big party was planned on the wharf which proved to be a lot of fun and during this Robert arrived back.  
 
 

“Maxi Cosi’ and ‘Happy Hour’ decided they were staying in Ashkelon and not go to Herzliya, so we had a farewell dinner at one of the marina restaurants.  During the meal air raid sirens sounded and everyone got up and started making their way out the back of the restaurant to what we discovered was a small air raid shelter.  Obviously the Israeli defense missiles did their usual and everyone returned to their seats and carried on as if nothing had happened. Quite bizarre, but guess they are used to it. There were more ‘fireworks’ during the night and a few of the group were starting to feel a bit uncomfortable, and looked forward to leaving the following morning.
HERZLIYA
Departed from Ashkelon at 0600 hours and had a very uncomfortable trip as there was a nasty swell.  Arrived in Herzliya Marina around 1130 hours and it was a great marina with a huge shopping mall and numerous restaurants – and no rockets!  
They even had a huge ice machine for the yachties which proved to be very popular.  Early afternoon we had intentions to head into Tel Aviv and take Robert to Jaffa, but only made it as far as a fusion restaurant in the marina which had a great menu (as was the food), and after a few beers and a nice meal decided to have a lazy afternoon, well what was left of it anyway.

Next day was a bit of a mixed bag as most places close early in preparation for the Sabbath.  So not much planned, however John started organising our trip to Jordan.  Word got out and six others wanted to join us, so it was bus tickets from Herzliya to the border at Eliat, two rental cars and accommodation in Petra and Amman. If he wasn’t a yacht skipper he could always get a job as a travel agent!  In the evening it was cocktails on Awatea for ‘Kookaburra’, ‘Vanille’ and ‘Amazing’ , and as usual it was a very enjoyable session.

Saturday 23 June and being the Sabbath everything was closed.  Thought of going into Jaffa, but couldn’t confirm if the buses were running or not, so decided it was a rest day at the marina.
Final day of the rally, and it is starting to feel strange.  The big final dinner is this evening and then it’s goodbye to all our wonderful friends we have made on the rally. 

Fortunately we know that we will bump into quite a few over the next few months, as a lot are heading back to sail around Turkey.  Robert has managed to bring his flights home to Brisbane forward and is flying out tomorrow via Istanbul and Singapore.  He will be sadly missed, but know he is looking forward to getting home to see the family and in particular the grand children.  In the afternoon John and Robert headed into Jaffa for a few hours and then back to get ready for the formal dinner.  It was the last of the flag ceremonies which after moaning about having to do them a few times, was quite an emotional occasion.  Had a nice meal, good wine and the usual speeches and presentations, with gifts also for Hassan, Dave & Kath being the EMYR Rally Committee. 

The music and dancing was a bit of a fizzer, which is probably just as well as we had an early start the next morning on our “post rally” trip to Jordan.

All in all it has been the most fantastic experience, and we have made some wonderful friends.  We have travelled a distance of 1,495 nautical miles since the start of the rally way back on 23 April, and have survived to tell the tale.  Whether our livers have, remains to be seen!!

Monday 9 July 2012

GIRNE, KARPAS GATE, MERSIN, KAPAS GATE, FAMAGUSTA


GIRNE or KYRENIA
As mentioned, the political situation in the Middle East is starting to impact on the rally.  We were due to sail to Mersin in Turkey and then head down to Northern Cyprus and across to Lebanon.  In Tasucu we were advised that the Lebanese authorities would not permit us to enter from Northern Cyprus (we believe they have had pressure put on them by Syria), so our itinerary now is to go firstly to Northern Cyprus and then back to the last port in Turkey at Mersin, and sail into Lebanon from there.
So on Sunday 27 MAY we left Tasucu at 0520hours just as the sun was rising, and motored out into a flat calm sea.  It was very still for the rest of the morning until around 1130hours when we hoisted the sails, and headed hard on into the wind, but managed to maintain a speed around 5.5 to 6.0 knots. 


We arrived into Girne around 1600hours, completed landing formalities – our first ‘foreign’ port on the rally, freshened up and were picked up by coaches to be taken to the old crusader castle by the old port for a Presidential reception.  The Kyrenia castle was magnificent and stands at the entrance to the harbour at Kyrenia, guarding this important and strategic North Cyprus port since the 1500s. 




There has been a settlement at Kyrenia since the 10th century BC, but the first major castle at Kyrenia was constructed by the Romans, and subsequently fortified by the Byzantines. 



The Byzantine structure of four towers linked by walls was later strengthened and enlarged by the Lusignan family. The current appearance of Kyrenia Castle dates from when the Venetians were "given" the island of Cyprus in 1489.  We were entertained in the main part of the castle, originally the old parade grounds, with fabulous food and beverages, and a local group performing traditional dancing. It was a memorable night, but unfortunately the President was unable to attend, so we were hosted by his deputy.  After the reception some of the group headed down to the old town/harbour area which was stunning.  We never cease to be amazed at the places we visit.


The next day was fine and sunny, and we had a well deserved lie in before heading to the little cafe in the marina for breakfast and to get emails.  Girne is ‘duty free’ so Robert and Derek headed into town to check out the prices on alcohol, wine & beer.......and food of course!!!  In the evening we caught up with Pug & John from ‘Maxi Cosi’ for drinks at the cafe before heading into town for a meal which was really nice.  After dinner we ended up back at the old harbour (still blown away by how beautiful it is) for cocktails – including the local brandy which is not too bad, especially for the price, coffee and ice cream.  All in all a truly enjoyable day.

It was breakfast on Awatea the following morning with Lee & Zehra from ‘Leezee’, before heading out on a tour by taxi that John had arranged the previous evening.  Shaun from ‘Happy Hour’ joined us and we started the tour with a visit to the Bellapais Abbey or "The Abbey of Peace (from French: Abbaye de la Belle Paix). Built by monks of the Premonstratensian order in the 13th century, it is a most imposing ruin in a wonderful position commanding a long view down to Kyrenia and the Mediterranean Sea. The road to the abbey passed through some really nice suburbs with some magnificent homes.  We then set out to the Hilarion Castle, one of three Crusader castles along the Northern Cyprus coastline, and together with the castles at Buffavento and Kantara, defended the island. Amet our taxi driver proved to be Stirling Moss with one speed – flat out, however we survived the drive and it was well worth it.  



The castle was amazing, built around this huge mountain with the most magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and the sea. We made the trek to the highest point of the castle (just as well Robert had his new hip) before heading down to a nice cold beer at the cafe in the car park. 



We stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe en route to Mavi Kosk, or Blue House. This was built in 1973 by Byron Pavlides, a Greek Cypriot entrepreneur and friend of Archbishop Makarios.  

What is rumoured (but without any proof), is that he was an EOKA gun runner who built his house where he did in order to keep an eye out to sea for the arrival of his gun-running ships. There are also rumoured to be secret underground passages and chambers built to hide contraband and smuggled arms.  Whatever the truth, Pavlides was no doubt an eccentric, flamboyant man who tended to build his houses in remote areas to ensure his privacy.  We arrived back at Awatea early evening and it was time for a shower and change before heading to ‘Happy Hour’ for a very pleasant evening of cocktails and a big Jambalaya that Jane had cooked up during the day.  What a treat.

Woke to a fine day but the wind had come up.  John stayed on the yacht on ‘wind watch’, while Robert and Derek headed to a supermarket that Kath from ‘Mashona’ knew and had a great time shopping.  Ended up with a total 6 cases of Carlsberg, 1 case of Sol beer, 2 cartons of Gin (bargain at TL7.50 per bottle), and four cases of Chilean wine – and some food necessities like pork sausages etc.  In the afternoon Robert and John headed into Nicosia and crossed over the ‘No Man’s Land’ border into Southern Cyprus, and found it to be really nice.  In the evening it was time for another EMYR tradition – “Pirates Night”.  



Everyone entered into the spirit and we all dressed up as pirates and were taken by bus to the top of the old town and then paraded through it much to the amusement of the locals, down to the Dome hotel for a fun night.  The food was great, the wine & beer flowed and the dance floor was packed.  The EMYR yachts people sure know how to party!!

KARPAS GATE
We were preparing to set sail for Karpas Gate and discovered our anchor was wedged in between two boulders.  Fortunately Steve from ‘Sweet Baby Jane’ who was berthed next to us, had dropped his spectacles into the water and was diving in to retrieve them, so he offered to dive down and free the anchor.  So all was well and we headed out into a reasonable wind so managed to use the gennaker for several hours before the wind died away as did our speed, so it was time to start the donkey once again.
We arrived at the Karpas Gate Marina around 1815hours and were berthed at the end of a pontoon on the hammer head. 



It is a beautiful marina – very modern, nice facilities and well kept, but in the middle of nowhere! The nearest ATM was 25kms away and there was no bus service or taxis, and trying to get a rental car was impossible.  They did however put on an excellent cocktail party after which a group of us dined in the marina restaurant, which was a pleasant surprise.  A great menu, including Peking Duck, and the food was excellent and beautifully presented.



Next day was really nice and apart from cleaning the hull as we had picked up an oil slick, it was a nice relaxing day.  We were chatting with an English couple that were living on their yacht in the marina, and they told us about this little restaurant called ‘Deks’, which was a short ride from the marina and if we called they would pick us up and bring us back.  AT 1920hours the car arrived and we drove about 2 kms and ended up in the equivalent of an “English Pub”.  Obviously popular with the local expat community they held bingo nights, karaoke, quiz nights and provided meals that would make an English landlord proud.  We all had fish & chips and mushy peas and it was delicious.  The fish was North Atlantic Cod and was sensational.  YUM YUM!!!!!  We ended up back at the marina on ‘Leezee’ for a night cap before staggering the short distance home to Awatea.

Saturday 02 June and we had nothing planned for the day until Ian from ‘Jackson Smith’ arranged for a 22 seat bus for a trip into Famagusta on the Southern side of the island. It was a pleasant drive and Famagusta proved to be interesting with the old town surrounded by a huge wall from the Crusader period with numerous old churches is various stages of restoration. 




The largest cathedral has been converted into a Mosque which seems a bit of a shame, however it is still being used which is probably good.  We explored the old town for several hours and had lunch at a small cafe sitting under an umbrella of large trees in what was the garden of the old cathedral.  



On the way back to the marina we stopped at an old Roman City site called Salamis Harabeleri,   which was a good site with the earliest archaeological finds going back to the eleventh century BC (Late Bronze Age III).  Today amongst other sites there are the ruins of a great theatre, roman baths, gymnasium, villas and a long colonnaded road which would of had shops along the way.  Another social evening back at the marina, with cocktails on Awatea for ‘Jackson Smith’, ‘Leezee’, ‘Happy Hour’, ‘Excellence’, ‘Tyna Two’, to name a few, and then onto ‘Kintukani’ for a dinner with Guy and Anna Marie.  As always they were the perfect hosts and a fun night was had by all.


MERSIN
As per the changed itinerary we were now heading back to Mersin, our last port of call in Turkey.  We did the customs and border control clearance around midnight and set off around 0520hours.  



We motor sailed most of the way until around the last 3 hours when we were able to put up the gennaker and had a good run into Mersin.  Being so far east we had no idea what to expect, but when we arrived around 1645hours Mersin proved to be a huge city and the marina was fabulous in itself.  The marina complex had a gigantic shopping mall with all kinds of stores, and much to the relief of everyone a large supermarket.  Unfortunately ‘Maxi Cosi’ had experienced engine problems en route and had to be towed most of the way into Mersin.



Monday 04 June, and it was another sunny day.  Time to catch up on a few domestic chores in the morning and then took the Dolmus into the city.  Had a shave at a little barber shop in one of the back street and the word got out that there were some Kiwi’s in town, as a local with New Zealand connections arrived at the shop for a chat.  Then it was lunch across the road before exploring the local markets which were very interesting.  It is a lovely modern city with a great waterfront and very clean and tidy.  



In the evening we were hosted by the Mayor at the local council chambers for cocktails and dinner.  

The setting was stunning built out over the water and the food great.  The cocktails consisted of Raki or wine much to the disappointment of the beer soaks amongst us.  The entertainment made up for it as the council had a troupe of young folk performing local dances, a brass band and a jazz band.  



Another enjoyable night (how do we cope???), and at the end we were all bussed back to the marina.
Next day it was breakfast with ‘Maxi Cosi’ at one of the many cafes in the complex, and then preparation of Awatea for the trip down to Lebanon.  Took on a small amount of diesel fuel, as it is very cheap in Lebanon so wanted to fill up there.  Lunch was back at the cafe in the marina and a lazy afternoon. 

During the afternoon we learned that a huge spanner had been thrown in the works.  Lebanon was not going to allow entry, even directly from Turkey!!!!  So after all the change of itinerary, and our anticipation of visiting Lebanon, it was not to be.  BUMMER!!!  Not much any of us could do about it, so it was just a matter of waiting until the committee sorted something out.  It was a formal dinner that night and we started off with drinks on ‘Watershed’, then ‘Excellence’ before heading up to the restaurant.  What a fabulous setting with a great band, wonderful food, lots of dancing and the usual flag ceremony held on these occasions. 



John was the Australian flag bearer and gave a ‘traditional’ (if there is such a thing) Aussie speech, greeting all the ‘Blokes and Sheilas’.  Another wonderful night finished off with a night cap on Awatea with Andrea from ‘Tyna Two’.

This morning meetings were held to discuss the options for the rally as the Lebanese authorities were definitely not going to permit us to enter.  The committee have proposed we head back to Karpas Gate Marina in Northern Cyprus on this coming Friday 08 June for a few days,  and then on to Famagusta on the other side of the island, and sail direct to Israel from there.  It was either that or we left the rally here in Mersin, which to us boys on Awatea was not an option.  We still had Israel and Egypt to get to, and after starting the rally at the start in Istanbul we were keen to see it through to the finish.  Robert hired a car and we decided to go east to a town called Tarsus where St Paul was born.  



On the way we stopped at a local restaurant and had a very enjoyable lunch and all for the reasonable price of TL19.00 for the three of us.  



In the town we found the site of St Paul’s house in a beautiful old part of town where the ruins were under a protective glass, and nearby was the well used for water.  There were narrow streets and quaint buildings, and all the people were saying hello and being very friendly.  



We found a lovely bar in the courtyard of one of the old buildings and had a drink, and once again were befriended by some young Turks and ended up having a great conversation.  It was then back to the marina as we had been invited to Leezee for dinner.  Dinner proved to be good old American hamburgers, which Zehra had handmade and Lee being the American of the group cooked on the BBQ.  They turned out to be scrumptious and had everyone licking their fingers.  A great night was had by everyone, and ended with night caps of the local brandy (which we have got the taste for!)
At 0930 the next morning we were joined by John form ‘Maxi Cosi’ and we set off in the rental car and visited the site of the ancient city of Kanytelis known today as Kanlıdivane, which literally means blood stained place of madness



At the centre of the site is an enormous 60 m deep canyon with red-coloured walls that gave rise to the local legend that says that criminals were once thrown to their deaths into the huge chasm. The 90 m long by 70 m wide and 60 m deep chasm formed the core of the ancient city of Kanytellis. Kanytellis originally was part of the ancient kingdom of Olbia and the sinkhole was regarded as a sacred place reserved to the cult of Zeus Olbios. The first settlement began in the holy chasm for many hundred years before Christ and then gradually extended in all directions during the following centuries. Kanytellis thrived through Byzantine times as is indicated by the presence of several Byzantine churches and inscriptions. The extensive necropolis has many Roman tombs built in the form of miniature temples.  We then made our way back to the coast and went to see The Maiden’s Castle, which sits on an island about 100 metres from shore and appears to float on water. 



The castle has many legends associated with it, including the popular one involving a cursed princess doomed to be killed by a snake, whose father sequesters her in an isolated tower. She buys a basket of fruit from a passing ship, where a snake has hidden, and the prophecy comes true anyway.  After that it was a stop at the caves of Heaven and Hell, but as it involved a long walk down into the deep canyon decided we didn’t have the time to explore them properly. 



It was then in the direction of the valleys of the Toros Mountains to Uzuncaburç which is situated next to ruins of the ancient city Olba and the name of the town Uzuncaburç (after 1973) means Tall bastion referring to the ruins. On the way we stopped at a restaurant set in the forest for lunch which proved to be a real treat.  There was no menu or choice of what to eat, however they were cooking some chicken on the BBQ which looked and smelled great.  The four of us ordered cold beers which were duly brought, and then much to our surprise the guy running the restaurant took off on his little scooter and disappeared down the road. 

Fortunately it was only to get more supplies of beer and he returned with a case under his arm.  Then the feast started – plates of mezes, fresh salads (so fresh we had seen him picking herbs from the garden to put in), bread and heaps of beautifully BBQ’d chicken.  A few more beers to finish off and all for the cost of TL25.00 each.  



We visited the old city which was a religious site built for Zeus, and it was very impressive with many ruins, and the old city gates and columns at the entrances.  



We were surprised to find locals were living amongst the ruins, growing fruit and other crops.  After a magnificent day exploring it was back to Mersin for cocktails with Jean Paul and his wife on ‘Vanille’, and then a chicken curry on Awatea.

KARPAS GATE (2ND TIME AROUND)
It was finally farewell to Turkey for a while as we left Mersin around 0530 hours.  After about 4 hours it was still calm with a light breeze from the south, so it was motoring all the way.   



We arrived back at Karpas Gate around 1645hours and went straight to the fuel dock to fill up in preparation for the trip down to Israel, as no fuel would be available at Famagusta.  A nice quiet evening with a few cocktails on Awatea with ‘Kintukani’, ‘Happy Hour’ and ‘Excellence’ before heading up to the marina restaurant for a meal.

Next day it was time to do a few chores, fill the tanks with water and wash the yacht.  Then it was off to the bar for a session of rugby – Northern Ireland V New Zealand, Wales V Australia and finally South Africa V England, all with several rounds of beer.  None of us felt like cooking so we arranged with Dek’s (the English Pub style restaurant) to pick us up and have a meal there.  Another yummie English meal, with Sausages and mash for John, pork chops for Derek and beef for Robert.  It was a lot quieter there this time with only a few others eating, so had a good chat with the English couple that own it with their Turkish Partner and his English wife.

FAMAGUSTA
Another early start at 0600 hours, and it was yet again light winds but accompanied with an uncomfortable beam swell which made for an uncomfortable journey.  We rounded the cape and headed down the coast towards Famagusta, and just a bit south of Monastery Bay there was a beautiful long sandy beach, so we called in to anchor, make brunch and have a swim.  It was the first swim of the rally and was soooo good!! 



Finally arrived into Famagusta around 1800hours and we anchored with the others in the commercial harbour.  We decided to eat onboard so it was some nice steaks (still from Robert’s supplies) with salad and boiled potatoes, and a reasonably early night.

The following morning we went ashore in the in the tender organised by the rally committee and went into the old town to have lunch and catch up on emails. John & Robert went for a shave while Derek went off on a trek trying to send a facsimile to his bank in Australia.  In the afternoon Neville from ‘Taralee’ came onboard to fix a problem with the alarm for the wind direction continually sounding, which was successful much to John’s relief.  Derek took up the offer of a swim at one of the local hotels right on the beach, and was accompanied by Anna Marie from ‘Kintukane’.  In the evening we were planning to go into town to have a meal with a few others at one of the local restaurants, but this was dashed when immigration required us to “exit” Northern Cyprus at 1900 hours, which meant we all had to head back to the yachts and were not permitted to go ashore.  So it was an impromptu meal of sausage, eggs and beans and a few beers onboard.  Next stop Israel which we are all looking forward to!