Sailing the Mediterranean Sea has been a highlight of our trip thus far. The 4 day voyage with Alaturka Blue Cruises takes you along Turkey’s southern coast from Fithiye to Olympos. The voyage included stops at St Nicholas Island (where Santa Claus died, apparently), Butterfly Valley (no butterflies to be seen due to the Turkish spring break party that was underway), Kas, Kekova Island and Smugglers Cove (where the Blue Cave is located).
There were 14 onboard our blue cruise, with people from NZ, Australia, Canada, Germany and Hawaii. Our friends Gemma and Jo, who we met in Selcuk, were on the cruise. We also met Jenna, Ryan and Tilley, Australians who were living in London and traveling through Turkey, and Jo who was from NZ.
Our days were spent jumping into the Med Sea (which is so salty you can bob like a cork for hours), playing cards and sipping Turkish wine. At Smugglers Cove we snorkeled, waterskied and partied at the Turkish disco.
Our final stop was Olympos, a tiny village with roman ruins that is nestled in between the Mediterranean Sea and huge cliffs. Olympos is renowned for being a hippie retreat where people live in treehouses. I could have stayed for days at Saban Treehouses, which provided free and delicious breakfast and dinner, but unfortunately we were only able to stay for one night.
The food served onboard was good but became somewhat repetitive after 4 days at sea. Cheese for breakfast was a plus! Whilst anchored at St Nicholas Island, a small boat with an old man and woman came past to serve us freshly cooked gozmele – the best fast food I’ve ever had delivered!
The cruise blew our budget to some degree, however sailing was far the best way to see this beautiful part of the world. Take me back!
Chasing the Cheese 