Edo Reis Cruise, Akyaka. Turkey. Day 135 September 11th 2019
Choosing a boat trip – a simple choice? It took several walks up and down the harbour evaluating each boat. Chats to several boat crew. Discussion about what we were prepared to pay. And making a list in our minds of what we did and did not want from a boat trip.
It was long and torturous. It got a bit heated in moments of indecision – but we finally made the perfect (for us) decision. Many moons ago I read a description of Maximisers (Max) and Satisficers (Sats)– we are one of each. Often my “Maximising” drives me (and him) crazy but I am on a determined path to improve. Once something (restaurant, accommodation, tour, flight etc) ticks the boxes the searching stops. Note – this does not apply to Backpacks or packing cells or any other travel item. I did have my own bottom line that the large music-heavy boats were not for me.
Larger Boats beginning to arrive Cleopatra Island
This time we managed to nut out the requirements that would “satisfy” the Max in me: No loud music on board. A route that was not with many other boats at the same place, at the same time. Shaded place to sit on the boat. Cost effective. Small boat. Visit the underwater caves and Cleopatra island. Oh yes it sounds pretentious, I absolutely know it!
Edo Reis in Akyaka Harbour
We decided on the Edo Reis – a lovely little boat bobbing between massive tour boats at mooring. We could sail out with just the two of us. While I balked initially we then realised we had planned to cruise the coast and this was less than one day on the cruise.
I was so thankful my Sats mate had talked me through this decision. It was a dream trip. Being just us – we could leave earlier before the other boats weighed anchor. The Captain mapped a course that avoided large groups of boats in any of the places we visited. The boat was a gorgeous boat with wooden panels along the side and wooden decks. The top had a shade cloth cover to prevent sunburn over the day.
The sail out of was a picture perfect day with a silky smooth sea lined with misty cliffs. To add to the perfection we passed the local fisherman in their small net-laden boats coming back into the harbour. To completely overwhelm my joy-filled soul we were served little cups of delicious coffee in love heart cups.
Our first stop was Cleopatra Island one of the sites I had really wanted to visit. It is said Cleopatra and Mark Antony had a love nest on this island. Adding to the legend – Mark Antony shipped sand from Egypt for the beach here for Cleopatra. The legend continues that the sand is a little bit of magic and continues to regenerate.
My imagination had an island surrounded by golden sand. The reality is a tiny handkerchief beach of golden sand roped off from the public. Alongside is a red carpet leading down into the water for swimming in the small bay. At 10am the sea was already awash with swimmers and the beach chairs filling fast.
Later I discovered the sand is actually special – known as Ooids. Explained at the site – “freshwater high in carbonate concentration gets mixed with saltwater creating grains of Oolit and Pizolit sand around grains”. Why it is here is still unknown, and it may well have come from somewhere else. Not a grain is allowed to be removed from the beach.
Opting not to swim we walked on to the lovely amphitheatre overlooking the harbour and further on the remains of Apollo’s temple. The small amphitheatre with seating for about 2,500 people remains largely intact except for the wooden structures.
Some of the city wall structures also remain – dating back to the 4th century BC. In all the ruins there is also remains and reminders of Byzantine occupation. A cross in the theatre, structures within the walls.
For the remainder of the day, we sailed to a variety of spots where we could leap into the warm deep clear water. Fortunately we had our newly purchased snorkels and masks to be able to see life below the surface. A colourful parade of fish, plants, and rocks.
Hiding in a cleft on the rocks I spied a fish that both entranced and somehow made me nervous. I later found out it was a poisonous nasty creature despite its beautiful appearance. I watched the vision of floating spotted multi-winglike fins for a time then bobbed up to find Chris and show him. After several attempts, we both gave up. It seemed every time he looked the fish had hidden himself.
The picture below is a likeness of what I saw and describes the Lion or Turkey fish
The other treat was to float over the underwater caves – deep dark holes I was happy to view from the surface. And before large numbers of people arrived it was just him and me.
In amongst the swimming, snorkelling and watching the islands float by, we found time for a wonderful fresh cooked lunch. Fresh fish perfectly fried for me and chicken for him. Later in the day fresh fruit – a perfectly ripened juicy yellow-fleshed peach and jujubes served with Turkish tea and the feeling we were the luckiest couple in the world.
Oh we did not want this day to end. Noted – there were beds on board and the sign said “Weekly and Daily tours”!
