Mersin, Turkey

We had a very eventful night crossing from Girne to Mersin. In the 20
hour trip we only motored for 4 hours despite headwinds of 30 - 40 knots
most of the night. Almost all the other yachts had to motorsail into the
wind and choppy sea, and were only making 2.5 knots towards the north.
We didn't get any sleep at all, but at least we saved a lot of diesel.
Mersin is a big busy city, and our marina/fishing harbour is right on
the quay where all the locals take their walks.

 Mersin seafront

The local fishing boats have been moved out
of their berths for the rally to occupy their spaces, even though they
have paid for a 12 month mooring.

It is a city that has seen few tourists in recent history, perhaps because tourism has not
been encouraged. As a result the people here are fascinated by us, and
come up in the street to shake hands, say hello and welcome. Even taking
our washing to the laundry was a half hour event, involving tea and
chocolate and a friendly inquisition about us and where we come from .
It makes such a welcome change from touristy Alanya, Kemer or Marmaris.
On the downside, it is difficult to find a restaurant that openly serves
beer. Stu got his beer this evening, but we had to sit upstairs in the
restaurant, out of sight, and the beer came shielded in tin foil, and
was placed carefully behind the upright menu. One would think that this
is due to the stricter Islamic culture here, but the headscarf count
(percentage of ladies with covered hair) is lower here than many other
places we've seen in Turkey.

The reception given to the yachts is unbelievable. We had our first
cocktail party at the Chamber of Shipping, surrounded by water
fountains, traditional band and lots of food, drink and dancing. Nothing
is too much trouble for these people. We expressed an interest in an
evening of folklore music and dance and a bus was duly laid on to take
us to and fro, at no charge.

Most of the yacht crews went on a 2 day trip to Cappadocia from Mersin,
many of them taking up the option of a hot air balloon trip over the
fairy chimneys. Sadly on the same day 2 other balloons crashed with some
serious injuries and loss of life. It did not involve any of the yacht
rally people.
As we have already been to Cappodocia recently we stayed in Mersin, and
really enjoyed looking around the town. For our own little adventure we
took the local train to Tarsus, the birth place and later residence of
St Paul, without whom Christianity might never have reached the Roman
Empire and thus the rest of the world.

Excavation of a roman road in the centre of Tarsus

The history of this area is astounding, far more riveting than anything
we ever learned at school.

Being fascinated by local food, we had to take a closer look - goats' heads, yuk!!!!

On returning to the town, we passed the Mersin Cultural Centre, where
there was a poster adverting Bale - Bir Yaz ........or a 'Summer Night
Dream' as a loose translation. We were treated to a fantastic ballet
performance of A Mid Summer Night's Dream, followed by Carmen Suite.
Awesome. What a lot of talented people there are. We want more!!
Tomorrow is a 'free day' so we can relax a bit, and rest up before the
next passage to Iskerderun. Tomorrow night is another rally dinner
courtesy of the Chamber of Shipping and local Municipality. It will be
great, no doubt.

















Queuing for food at the Rally Dinner - the french were always up the front!


We will definitely be back to stay in Mersin for some time on our way
back to Finike at the end of the season. The rally moves through these
places so quickly, all we are doing is getting a taster of where we
might want to spend more time.
PS . Lucky we had a free day, as we both got simultaneous food poisoning
from a kebab - probably the meat had been kept warm for several hours,
and we were seated upstairs out of sight with the beer, so didn't see
that we weren't getting fresh stuff. 36 hours later and still weak,
having missed the rally dinner in the Hilton hotel with free drinks(!)
but a lot more careful and ready to carry on into pastures new.