End of 2015 sailing season

 

2015 haul of Sabbatical III, Kas Marina, Turkey
2015 haulout of Sabbatical III, Kas Marina, Turkey

It was a great sailing season in the Eastern Mediterranean, but now it is over.  Sabbatical III has been hauled and is safely stored ashore in the hardstand area of the Kas Marina, Turkey.  We are back in the US already planning next years adventure, which has us heading west for a yet to be determined number of miles.  The next haul of Sabbatical III will be in a different country, and maybe a different ocean.

In addition to the usual preparations that we make prior to a haul out, we had the time for a bit of travel.  We had 2 days in Kasterllorizo (Megisti), Greece.  This small island is certainly one of our favorite places,  The weather was pleasantly cool so we were able to hike to the top of the cliffs overlooking the town and harbor without getting heat stroke.

View of Kastellorizo harbor from the top of the cliffs. Sabbatical III can be seen in nearby Mandraki Bay on the left.
View of Kastellorizo harbor from the top of the cliffs. Sabbatical III can be seen in nearby Mandraki Bay on the left. That is the Turkish coast in the background.

While at the top, we were able to watch the twice-a-week Blue Star ferry from Rhodes enter the bay, turn around, and tie up.  This is quite an achievement as the ferry is almost as wide as the bay.

Blue Star ferry tied up in Kastellorizo, Greece.
Blue Star ferry tied up in Kastellorizo, Greece.

We also rented a car in Kas for trip to Salikent Gorge and the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Xanthos, a World Heritage Site.

Trout lunch along side the mountain stream that runs through the gorge.
We had a trout lunch alongside the mountain stream that runs through the gorge.
The valley in which Xanthos sits is now covered in hot houses filled with tomotoes, cucumbers, and melons.
The valley in which Xanthos sits is now covered in hot houses filled with tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons.
Kaputas Beach on the Kas-Kalkan raod
Kaputas Beach on the Kas-Kalkan raod
Sunset over Kaputas Beach.
Sunset over Kaputas Beach.
By the end of October, pomegranates are everywhere is Kas. A very large glass of fresh squeezed and pomegranates is $2.
By the end of October, pomegranates are everywhere in Kas. A very large glass of the fresh squeezed juice blend of oranges and pomegranates is $2.
Olives are also harvested in the fall. Photo from the Kas market.
Olives are also harvested in the fall. Photo from the Kas market of fresh picked olives.
A band draws customers to a newly remodeled barbershop on the main street of Kas.
A band draws customers to a newly remodeled barbershop on the main street of Kas.

That’s all for this year.

M.

PS Here is a video of the band at the barbershop.

[youtube width=”720″ height=”480″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYM73kOx4hI[/youtube]