January 2003 – TT crew on TV, and lots of socializing

January was the quietest month in Kemer. There were a lot of colds and flu going around, and the TT crew was not immune. The weather was mostly cold and rainy, so we spent a lot of time inside.

One interesting January event, though, was that Hasan asked us if we would be interviewed on local Antalya TV. Of course we said yes, and then realized it would be in Turkish. Fortunately, Hasan agreed to be there, and to translate.

The lead interviewer was Askin Koç, your typical talking head, except that he had very long dark curly hair. His crewmates were only a bit more conservative.

The interview took place aboard TT, with Askin, Garry and I sitting in our salon, and the cameraman filming from the doorway. It was all in Turkish, and Garry and I were supposed to reply in Turkish. Of course, with the stress of the cameras, we both forgot everything we had ever learned. Hasan was undoubtedly embarrassed that we didn’t do better, but it was fun anyway.

Askin Koç jumping on TT’s trampoline	The rest of the TV crew stayed off to the side, a little nervous about that tramp!

And then Askin discovered our trampoline. He was the only one who was willing to jump on it, and I did catch one good pic of him doing so. The rest of the crew stood tentatively off to the side, but definitely wanted their pictures taken too! Of course, we obliged.

The show was destined to be broadcast the following Sunday, so we got our friends together to watch on the Navigator TV. We watched the entire show, in Turkish yet, but TT’s interview never showed. Disappointed, we figured that probably we were not photogenic enough.

Flash forward to the following Friday, when we attended a concert in Antalya. Who should be there but Askin and his crew! Well, he greeted us like long lost friends. AND, he told us that our interview would be on TV the NEXT Sunday.

So, we tried again. This time, however, we couldn’t get the right channel on the Navigator TV! To this day, we don’t really know if it ever was broadcast. Our ten minutes of fame - and we’re not even sure if it ever happened!

Ted clearly waiting for more wine.	Jean, Bob and Trish watching Garry whip up the magic con-coq-tion.

We had many group social events throughout the year, but January and February were the months when some of the more personal evenings occurred. Although there were nearly 50 couples who spent the winter in Kemer, only a few became really good friends.

The cruisers to whom we became closest were Ted and Trish Mead, from Rhumbline, and Bob and Jean Parker, from Patient Lady. And so, it seemed only fitting that we should invite them over for Garry’s famous coq au vin. The coq was great, the wine almost as good, and the company superb.

February 2003 – Kemer Khorale, Valentine’s Day and Istanbul

The Kemer Khorale entertains the Valentine’s Day revellers – Ann is at left, Garry is two over at the back, almost completely hidden.	The gang shows an appreciation level suitable for friends listening to friends.	The single red rose delivered to each boat, by a couple of yachtie romatics
Ann & Garry enjoyed putting on good duds – even a tie!	.Director Bob conducting wielding the newly crafted “Rose Baton”.

Once Christmas was over, we re-started the Kemer Khorale practices, with a view to putting on a small performance at the Valentine’s Day party. And practice we did - 3 times a week!

Director Bob (Patient Lady) and Ann (assistant director) chased through old song books, as well as the Internet of course, and finally decided on a group of about a dozen songs. We practiced them all, including Bette Midler’s From A Distance, at which we labored hard, but never got truly good. We all loved it though. In the end, we sang the ones at which we were best, John Denver’s Annie’s Song, an old favourite I’m in the Mood for Love, and a medley of songs from My Fair Lady and The King and I.

There were about 15 singers altogether. We had a strong soprano section, a not-too-bad alto section, and an OK combined men’s tenor/bass section. Some of us did accompaniment duty on a few of the songs as well. Pia (Cantana III) and Ann shared the piano-playing duties. Steve (Mystic) and Karen (Aldebaran), accompanied on guitar and flute respectively. It was great fun, and we all improved our voices throughout the season by a considerable measure. Some of our listeners even said we were pretty good!

Valentine’s Day was another excuse for a party, and we all dressed up for dinner and dancing. And, of course, for the Kemer Khorale’s premier performance. It was well received, with lots of encore requests, just as one would expect from 100 friends listening to friends.

Jeff (Sooty Albatross) and Chris (Aventura) decided to be very romantic, and arranged for a single red rose to be delivered to each female in the marina. They did it anonymously, and there was a prize during the Valentine’s Day dinner celebration for whomever could figure out the donors. Steve (Mystic) and Jill (Carpe Diem) won the prize, but we all enjoyed the roses.

February also saw us on a long-planned group trip up to Istanbul.

About 35 of us boarded a privately chartered bus for a 12-hour trip from Kemer to Istanbul. The trip was quite smooth, even though we had to cross snow-covered mountains to get there!

We arrived late at night, and found our 4-star hotel was more like a 3-star hotel, at most. However, it was cheap and clean and we decided it would do.

The bad news was that Ann and Garry had both been sick during the week prior to the trip, and though we had both mostly recovered, Garry had a relapse on the trip up. Unfortunately, he had to spend at least one of the 3 full days we were there in a hotel bedroom.

A small flower cart brings beauty to the entry way of a very plain home near Topkapi.	The ceiling of the Blue Mosque gives the building its name.	The Blue Mosque on the sunny day we toured Istanbul.	Famous Topkapi Palace, as we saw it in the snow	The small Rüstem Pasa Mosque as the snowy day began to clear.

Nevertheless, we managed to get some sightseeing in, courtesy of an ex-travel agent friend of Hasan; she became our guide for the entire time we were there.

The first day, we did a bit of a city tour, visiting the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market, and some of the other usual tourist attractions. We spent some time in a good rug shop, and thought about buying, but in the end decided to wait.

The second day Garry spent in bed, and Ann went to Topkapi palace with the group. Unfortunately, it snowed the entire time we were there. It was COLD too! We then checked out a couple of places “downtown”, including the small but beautifully tiled Rüstem Pasa Camii Mosque.

Our third day was a shopping day. We walked all through the music store area, looking for a specific Casio keyboard, which we had decided we wanted to buy. No luck … Finally decided that the internet would have to be our source.

Had our dinners in truly Turkish diners, with some excellent mezes, as well as good conversations one night with Ed and Julie from Cinnabar.

The weather continued to deteriorate, and some of the group wanted to stay an extra day until the snow abated. There were some loud arguments, then a vote. The result was almost even, with the decision made to leave as planned. Unfortunately, there were some seriously bad feelings that evolved as a result, though fortunately the discord seemed to be temporary.

We enjoyed the trip very much, and would like to have stayed longer. We decided that would have to return when the weather turned more favourable.

March 2003 – BBQs, Weddings and Birthdays, Potlucks

The Yogurt Race begins..	Terry (Rhythms) shows one result of the Yogurt Race	The BBQs were the time to show off our Kemer vests (Christmas gifts to each of us).
Garry, Ed and Julie (Cinnabar) surveying the excellent food provided for the Finnike picnic.	Hasan celebrates his win in the managers’ canoe race.	Local high school kids gave us a Turkish dancing exibition.

March was the time for the Antalya Bay BBQs. There are three marinas in the area, and every year each takes a turn hosting a BBQ during the month of March. The marinas provided the meat for BBQing, and the yachties each brought a salad or dessert to share. Wine and beer was provided either free or at very nominal cost. The first one was at Kemer Marina, the next at Finnike, and the last one in Antalya. We missed the Antalya event, but the others were fun enough!

There were two couples who decided to get married during the winter season this year - Frank McCabe and Tari Bath from Vision, and Ed Fitzsimmons and Julie Swisshelm from Cinnabar.

Hasan also had a birthday at the end of February, and so clearly this called for a party to celebrate all three events.

The Navigator provided mezes, a few cakes, and the space for us to party, and so we all did. Some bright light thought up some games, (probably Ron and Julie on Gladlee), and both newly-married couples were required to make fools of themselves. Pictures of such games rarely turn out well, and ours were no exception. But we did capture many people having lots of fun!

Frank & Tari	Ed & Julie	Bob, Susan and Trish doing the traditional raki (or wine) toast	Julie and Ted, with Ron behind, and Mehmet (Navigator) trying to work around the party-makers	Derek and the birthday boy, Hasan

One of our crowd, Suzie on Glenlyon, suggested a Potluck BBQ which would be held out on the far end of the quay, right off TT’s stern. We thought this was a great idea, and even provided music for the event. Our cockpit speakers really got a workout.

Suzie organized with the Navigator to provide BBQ chicken, and each of us brought something to share. It was excellent, and everyone had a great time. The weather was cool and clear, with no mosies.

Potluck BBQ on “H Dock”, right off the stern of Toucan Tango.

Ron and Julie (Gladlee) tried several times during the year to organize a walk down the Goynuk Valley. Well, finally there came a weekend without rain, and off we went. It was a beautiful walk, right along the side of the river. At the far end, it was normally possible to wade (swim?) across part of the river, and swim in the caves.

Those of you who know Ann will know that this was not a big item on her list, so there was no question about whether or not she would participate in that part.

However, as it turns out, one needs a wet suit to swim in the river at this time of year (perhaps all year?), so Garry wasn’t very interested either.

In the end, we got the best of it all. Just at the spot where the crew headed off into the water, there was a young man with a çay (tea) stand. He had all the makings, and a small circle of stones for seats for his customers. It was a wonderful example of the resourcefulness of the Turkish entrepreneur!

The Goynuk Valley, as we tramped up one Sunday morning.	The çay (tea) stand in action.	Our host setting up the çay tray for service.