DAY 10 – CRUISE DAY – BODRUM TO KALYMNOS May 15
This morning,
after a great breakfast of fruits, cereals, meat and raw veggies and robust coffee, a few of us sat around contemplating whether we should permanently rack the bikes, forget the riding, and just stay on this luxurious yacht!
I did drag myself off the yacht and wandered around the waterfront of Bodrum, strolled past the shops and over to the Bodrum castle.
But got myself back onboard for my 11:30 massage with Marjolein.
Then lunch! and then dinner! (Odysseus did have it tough, but he also had some good times that he didn’t tell Penelope about, like his kept years as a boy toy of Calypso!). Today we are following in line with the Big O, and living the high life
Our Gulets
What are they?
A gulet is a type of traditional wooden sailing yacht native to Turkey. Gulets are leisure-oriented boats, they boast roomy living spaces and decks. The word ‘gulet’ originates from the Italian word guletta and French gouëlette, meaning “schooner”.
HIstory
Gulets are two-masted or three-masted wooden sailing vessels, originating from the southwestern coast of Turkey. The towns of Bodrum and Marmaris are best known for their sailing history, and the production of gulets in particular. In its capacity as a boat construction centre, Bodrum is famous throughout the world. Sea trade in the area has encouraged shipbuilding from antiquity through the Ottoman Empire period to modern times. The original purpose of the gulet was for fishermen and sponge divers to transport their catch, as well as for traders to move goods from marina to marina.
Our Boats
We have reserved the Ali Candan and Aegean Clipper (both shown below). Ali Candan has 8 cabins in total, the Aegean Clipper 10, Each travels with at least 4 sailors/staff including a chef on top of the Bike Odyssey team. All cabins are ensuited and there are multiple living spaces onboard.
Cruise Day!
After we cleared customs and cruises to Yalikavak (15NM – 2h). Lunch, swim and relax then a sunset cruise to Kalymnos (7NM – 1h), ready for tomorrow’s ride!
Bodrum – The City
The name Bodrum has changed many times over the years. The city was initially called Halikarnassus by the satrap Mausollos. After his death – in 352 BC – he was buried in the mausoleum, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Halikarnassos eventually became Petronion, which then became Bodrum in Turkish. In the 1920’s, Bodrum was so remote that it was used as a place of exile. Perhaps this is why the city attracted artists and bohemians, and in the 1970’s, Bodrum developed into “Turkey’s St. Tropez,” with a busy entertainment and night life. Numerous Turkish celebrities own holiday apartments throughout the city.
Life is good in Bodrum!