We spent time checking out Yalikavak town and were impressed with the waterfront restaurants, multitude of good supermarkets (including a Macro Center and Gurme Carrefour both of which had an exceptional choice of products) that would keep owners of super yachts happy.
When we explored the marina the following day we discovered why Yalikavak has a huge range of gourmet foods: the 620 water berths house some of the spiffiest yachts we’ve seen in one place. And to prove a point, the marina boasts designer boutiques, including a very large Louis Vuitton and a Rolls Royce showroom!
James Bond Island
From Yalikavak we made our way north (into the increasing wind) and east, to an island tucked far in on the northern side of the Bodrum peninsula. Our friend Jim Furness calls it James Bond island because it has seven abandoned villas overlooking the bay where we anchored and these give the place the feel of a movie set.
Sadly, the villas were abandoned as a result of the fishing industry that began to surround the island with fish farms. Because of the pollution and smell, the people who lived on the island left and many European yachts stopped visiting. Apparently businesses in the nearby town of Torba also suffered as a result.
When we visited, we passed several active fish farms although there was no smell in the bay. There was however, a lot of plastic pollution on the beach. I did manage to find some small, intact urchin shells, which I collected in a piece of netting that I found on the beach and swam back to A B Sea with this tied around my waste with some old line. When I took of my fins and mask back at A B Sea, I did imagine myself to be rather like an older version of Ursula Andress in the 1962 Bond movie Dr. No! Of course, where’s the camera when you need it? Baz was napping on deck, so I slipped back onto our yacht without any witnesses to my spy status. Lol.
Fishy Stench
After three nights in what proved to be a very popular bay for locals, Baz and I upped anchor and headed to a recommended anchorage called Aydeniz. We travelled there via the eastern side of Sahil island. And that was where we copped a noseful of fishy stench! Boy was it strong. I worked out what it smelled like: fish food flakes. Imagine sticking your nose in a box of the stuff. And multiply by ten. You’d get an approximation of what assaulted our nasal cavities early that morning!
As we headed further north up the eastern side of the island, we passed a processing plant which was the originator of the smell. Barry’s done some research since then and it turns out that this place manufactures the fish food to feed all of the fish farms in the area. So my detective’s nose was on point with that deduction.
Aydeniz, paradise?
After one hour and forty minutes and several fish farms later, we entered Aydeniz bay. It is a small bay hidden behind a fish farm near the entrance, which probably keeps it free of yachts. On one side of the bay were several tiny houses, which we presumed were fisherman’s homes. We dropped anchor in five metres in the clearest water I’d seen in a long time (and that’s saying something). It was clear enough to see the anchor and chain, and the track where the anchor had dragged along the bottom until it dug into sand.
Looking at the shore there appeared to be a great place to park the dinghy and go for a walk, perhaps flying the drone. The water was so inviting that I just couldn’t wait to jump in and cool down. Thanks to Dee and Kev on Sailing Kejstral YouTube channel for recommending this secluded little patch of paradise.
But was it?
Next week we let you know if this turned out to be the idyllic place it appeared…
To watch this week’s YouTube episode that accompanies this blog just click here.
Until next week, I wish you health, wealth and courage, as you take the actions to bring your dreams to life.