Blast off!

The time had to finally come when we had to leave the nest. But before we could break the maternal bond with Fethiye, we had a few more sights to see and things to do.

Megan driving the Big Iron!

We met some friends newly arrived to Fethiye from Texas. Ken had acquired a 65' gulet (Turkish sailing caique) and we were keen to sail her. Megan got to drive the big iron, while I helped out on crew duties.

Turkish Gulet

We then decided 'One last trip', and took the bus down to Kas and on impulse, stayed over the night.

Kas central mosque.

Kas was a pleasant coastal town. It has a new marina. We like to check out marina's when we are in a town, might be useful intelligence for later.

Kas harbour

Kas marina, brand new and mostly empty.

We love seeing reminders of Australia around the world, and Kas did not disappoint with many lovely groves of Eucalyptus trees.

Aussie gum in the main square

A grove of gums, lovely shade.

We know the season is about to start, we saw the first 'roasters' starting their annual baste routine. It shows how Australian attitudes have changed from the 'bronzed Aussie' image, replete with 'budgie smugglers', to an awareness of the dangers of sunburn and skin cancer.

First baster's of the season

We had to laugh at this 'multi-use' building which housed the small hospitals morgue as well as the hospital cantina.

Strange bedfellows, morgue and canteen.

But finally, the time arrived. Our guest, Michelle, arrived from Australia via Istanbul. We mastered all the bureaucracies of checking ourselves out of the country (no more expensive agents for us!) and the boat was fully prepped and stocked, ready to go.

Last look at G pontoon

Our next door neighbours.

So at first light, we threw off our dock line, and steered Pavlov away from Fethiye for the last time.

Pav prepped to go

The marinaro's outhouse

We had to farewell the 'marinaro's', those cowboys of the marine scene, who help to stuff all those boats into their berths.

Final visit from the marinaro.

A last look back at Ece marina

I think both Megan and I were quite pensive and thoughtful as the day dawned, we left our 'birth home' and Pavlov finally spread her wings to allow us sea-gypsies to take flight.

A new dawn for Pavlov

The Sea Gypsies take flight to new adventures