Day 1: Istanbul to Marmara Island (Saraylar Fishermen's Warf)
Due to presidential elections in Turkey, first we casted our vote at 8:00 AM when the ballot boxes opened and than drove to Pendik Marina to start our 21 day sailing trip down to Greek islands. We left the marina at exactly 09:34 am.
Vira Bismillah!
This is traditionally what you say when you depart an anchorage and start to sail in Turkey. It literally means that 'Here we go and may God's mercy be upon us'. Turkish sailors use a generous and unique sailing vocabulary which was created by the Turkish sailors of the past, during the hundreds of years of sailing around the Mediterranean basin. Actually most of the words are not Turkish. They were adopted from 'lingua franca' of the merchants, thus have strong latin roots. I will be sharing with you as many terms as possible from this vocabulary throughout this journey. I hope you will enjoy comparing them to your own sailing terms, especially if you speak a Latino language.
Due to presidential elections in Turkey, first we casted our vote at 8:00 AM when the ballot boxes opened and than drove to Pendik Marina to start our 21 day sailing trip down to Greek islands. We left the marina at exactly 09:34 am.
Vira Bismillah!
This is traditionally what you say when you depart an anchorage and start to sail in Turkey. It literally means that 'Here we go and may God's mercy be upon us'. Turkish sailors use a generous and unique sailing vocabulary which was created by the Turkish sailors of the past, during the hundreds of years of sailing around the Mediterranean basin. Actually most of the words are not Turkish. They were adopted from 'lingua franca' of the merchants, thus have strong latin roots. I will be sharing with you as many terms as possible from this vocabulary throughout this journey. I hope you will enjoy comparing them to your own sailing terms, especially if you speak a Latino language.
Map 1: Read from the Easternmost (Tuzla) to Westernmost (Marmara)
I will be keeping a two hourly sailing log during the entire journey, where I record almost anything from engine hours to weather conditions. I will try my best to share it with you as much as possible. So that you can have a better understanding of the trip and our level of seamanship! :)
Photo 1. Being good citizens! Voting at 08:00 AM
About to leave Pendik Marina
Leaving Istanbul
Lunch Menu:
Pre-cooked pasta with minced meat
Chicken wings
One single can of ice-cold Tuborg beer
About Saraylar Fishermen's Warf:
It is a tiny small warf, that lies just past the big port that caters for 'marble' trading ships. There is not much space for many yachts. If you are lucky, there will be space and you can dock sideways (bordalamak-Turkish sailing term). It is very well protected for every weather.
There is a small restaurant, that serves fresh catch. It is called İskele and the owner named Serkan. The food is nice and fairly priced. They were serving alcohol when we were sailing towards Bozcaada last summer, but refused to serve during ramadan on our way back. This time we had our 'raki' with pleasure. The fresh catch 'Karagoz' was great. I am afraid I do not know the fish's name in English. We had shrimps in butter sauce, kalamri, a very nice salad and 'Karagoz'. The complimentary melon they served was great.
There are grocery stores and a couple of small 'chain' supermarkets where you can get your basic needs. You wouldn't stop here if you do not need a break. But distance wise it is a good stop to/fro Istanbul. Also, although not the best stop it has its own charm. Rather isolated, a little conservative town with friendly and nice people.
I will be posting a couple of more pictures once I get a better internet connection, thus, to be continued.....
Pre-cooked pasta with minced meat
Chicken wings
One single can of ice-cold Tuborg beer
About Saraylar Fishermen's Warf:
It is a tiny small warf, that lies just past the big port that caters for 'marble' trading ships. There is not much space for many yachts. If you are lucky, there will be space and you can dock sideways (bordalamak-Turkish sailing term). It is very well protected for every weather.
There is a small restaurant, that serves fresh catch. It is called İskele and the owner named Serkan. The food is nice and fairly priced. They were serving alcohol when we were sailing towards Bozcaada last summer, but refused to serve during ramadan on our way back. This time we had our 'raki' with pleasure. The fresh catch 'Karagoz' was great. I am afraid I do not know the fish's name in English. We had shrimps in butter sauce, kalamri, a very nice salad and 'Karagoz'. The complimentary melon they served was great.
There are grocery stores and a couple of small 'chain' supermarkets where you can get your basic needs. You wouldn't stop here if you do not need a break. But distance wise it is a good stop to/fro Istanbul. Also, although not the best stop it has its own charm. Rather isolated, a little conservative town with friendly and nice people.
I will be posting a couple of more pictures once I get a better internet connection, thus, to be continued.....
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