We booked a 4 day 3 night boat cruise from Kale (Demre) to Fethiye. The cruise was recommended by our guest house host in Selcuk (Allison - Kiwi Pension). After a 10 hour bus ride, we arrived in Olympus and stayed overnight. In the morning, we took another bus to Kale to board. However, the tour operator failed to mention that our ship had engine problems on the last run and needed major repairs. It was moored beside an old wreck where we would spend our first day and night and most of the next day. It was a sleepless first night. The mechanics worked all night, and were constantly starting and stopping the engine: too much noise and choking diesel fumes!
The next morning, the crew took our repaired ship to pick up supplies while our group was left stranded on the old wreck with no food or water. Our stranded international group of 14 was made up of 6 Canadians (ourselves, Helen and John Money, Peter and Sheila Gallagher, strange as it may seem all from Victoria, BC, Canada), Luciana and Rosina from Uraguay, Isabel and Jose from Spain, Michelle and Glen from Australia, and Yimaz and Derya from Ankara, Turkey. The boat was supposed to return in 1 hour but after 5 or 6 hours the group became restless. I thought what a great theme for a new reality TV show, Mutiny on the Suleyman Bey (the name of the boat). Which nationality would break first?
The next morning, the crew took our repaired ship to pick up supplies while our group was left stranded on the old wreck with no food or water. Our stranded international group of 14 was made up of 6 Canadians (ourselves, Helen and John Money, Peter and Sheila Gallagher, strange as it may seem all from Victoria, BC, Canada), Luciana and Rosina from Uraguay, Isabel and Jose from Spain, Michelle and Glen from Australia, and Yimaz and Derya from Ankara, Turkey. The boat was supposed to return in 1 hour but after 5 or 6 hours the group became restless. I thought what a great theme for a new reality TV show, Mutiny on the Suleyman Bey (the name of the boat). Which nationality would break first?
In our case, the prize went to the Uraguayians followed closely by the Australians. They started yelling we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. However, no one could hear them and when the tour operator was reached by cell phone with demands for a full refund, he simply hung up. Eventually, around 3:00 pm our ship reappeared and the captain placated the group by giving each person a 50 lira free bar bill (the power of alcohol works again). The cruise then started (a day late) but the distances were small and we were able to complete the tour all ports and points of interest on schedule. Overall it was a great experience - great food, good crew, wonderful traveling companions, great swimming, and beautiful scenery.
