David's Diary: Saturday, July 12, 2003

Exploring Marmaris, Turkey

Jocelyn and Nabiha arrived home safely at 4:00 AM. I didn't wait up for them, but the two of them leaped onto Dragonsinger's stern. The noise and the rocking of the boat was enough to wake me up. I fell right back asleep and this afternoon I'm ready to explore a more of Marmaris.

Gulets on the Quay

Kevin, Allen, and I left the marina. At the entrance to the marina is a small bridge that goes over a canal before joining the main seafront. We followed the seafront, walking beside a small hill and by numerous Gulets. The wooden Gulets are unique to Turkey. Most of them are used as charter boats.

Dolmus

As we walked towards one of the major streets we saw a Dolmus. A Dolmus is the same concept as a Louage in Tunisia. It is a small minivan that carries seven or eight people with a fixed starting and stopping point. For example, there is probably a Dolmus that goes from Marmaris to Bodrum. What makes a Dolmus different from a bus is that has no fixed schedule. You just show up and when the Dolmus is full it takes off.

Sunning on the Beach

We found the beach and walked along in the late afternoon sunshine watching all of the tourists out sunning, swimming, and enjoying themselves. Then we walked to the bus station. Nabiha has to leave tomorrow and we asked about bus schedules and prices. All the buses travel overnight to Istanbul and the one Nabiha needs to take in order to meet her plane tomorrow leaves at 7:00 PM.

We found a big grocery store and did a big shop. Kevin and Allen have had to do a lot of shopping during this trip. I hope that when we are back in Canada they will have a greater appreciation of how food arrives on the table. We have enough supplies that we take a taxi back to the boat and greet the three girls that we left behind.