The Captain's Log

Friday, November 27, 2009

an escape from Canada’s encroaching winter

When friends invited us to join them on the PICCOLO for a mid-October cruise, Bonnie and I happily accepted, anticipating luxury, warmth (an escape from Canada’s encroaching winter) and excitement but not really knowing what a Turkish Mediterranean experience would be like.

After landing in Antalya’s swish airport we took a taxi to Kemer where PICCOLO was moored.

Boarding her we were immediately swept into a cocoon-like comfort right in the middle of an active bustling holiday town – observing from the deck yet remote and comfortable. Our luxurious cabin reinforced this feeling.

The other first impression was that we were joining a small group of fellow Piccolites that would (and did) develop its own intimate and unique team-like culture during the 10 days we were together (there were 8 of us – in the hands of talented team - captain, chef and 2 crew – a luxurious ratio). Eating delicious food at the spacious afterdeck table and drinking the excellent Turkish wine added to this feeling of – yes – being like a visiting God. 

Apparently capricious decisions took us from port to delightful inlet sometimes under sail always on a crystal salty depth that we entered effortlessly (from Piccolo’s bathing staircase) buoyed by the salinity, and cheered by the warmth, of the clear water permeated with dancing schools of fish.

Some nights were in ports where we dined on local fish and awoke to the Islamic wailing summons to prayer – in Fethiye we purchased fresh fish in a market surrounded by restaurants – one that cooked it for us - delightful.

And whenever we wanted we could take the dinghy to ruins from the Greek and Roman pasts of this ancient land, towns that had lain there quiet and undisturbed for two thousand years except by our small party it seemed.

Our last night was in Marmaris – and surprise – it was Bonnie’s birthday. Our friends had arranged a sumptuous breakfast with champagne and orange juice (Buck’s fizz). Then Bonnie and friends took a Turkish bath and later a dinner on the harbour just by the boat where our Captain had ordered a personal birthday cake followed by dancing in the discos.

The Turks are mad about football and that night there was a match between the two top Turkish teams. The whole town crowded around big screens and erupted with every goal just like they were in a stadium – ending up in tumultuous scooter rampages – sometimes three per scooter waving their arms and scarves madly.

When we disembarked from PICCOLO in Marmaris we experienced that tormenting emotion named by the Brazilians - “saudade” – there is no other word to describe the separation we felt. This was reinforced when we took a Greek ferry to Rhodes and as we left a huge storm came up. PICCOLO left its moorings to ride it out and came within 100 feet of our ferry. There were the crew swaying on the deck and waving us off!  What romance and there it is again - saudade. Can we ever return?

David and Bonnie Fletcher
Montreal
Canada

Friday, October 30, 2009

"a trip of a lifetime"

The “preparation”, the emails, phone conversations, etc, forecast a wonderful experience aboard PICCOLO, but it hardly prepared us for what was “a trip of a lifetime”....  Boarding in Rhodes was comfortable, and welcoming.  Capt YILMAZ was/is an experience we’ll not soon forget.  He is a sailor, and his knowledge of his profession and his vessel were encyclopedic… We had the sense there wasn’t a piece of gear, from the rigging to the engine room, that he didn’t know intimately; the same could be said of his relationship with his crew.  Quiet and superb chef Bekir was just as expert in his galley as on the anchor detail.  The boys were apparently enthusiastic and learning… the Captain is responsible for both those qualities.

Our itinerary was enhanced by Capt YILMAZ’s wisdom and advice.  We saw what we wanted to see, we climbed to acropolis’s, explored streets, archeology, villages (and restaurants), swimming coves, and relaxed.  PICCOLO was a perfect way to get from place to place… comfortable, spacious, and welcoming when we returned from whatever adventure ashore.  We were sorry it was over, but again grateful to the Captain in easing our way into rental cars or taxis in Marmaris on the day of “debarking”.

John T. Andrews
California

This group of 12 chartered PICCOLO for a two week cruise/adventure visiting several of the Greek Islands, plus the Turkish coast. Embarking in Rhodes, Greece, their itinerary included Symi, Nisyros, Kos, Kalymnos and Patmos.  They entered Turkey at Bodrum, and enjoyed some of the beautiful coastline of Turkey, disembarking at Marmaris.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

satisfied customers - Croatia

We were on the Gulet Perla trip in Croatia....and wanted to let you know that we enjoyed the whole experience immensely!!!!  We had no idea what to expect prior to the trip.  The crew was fantastic...they provided wonderful meals that we will remember for a long, long time. They took us to fantastic isolated bays for swimming and kayaking, and showed us what many of the small island fishing villages were like.( Vis, Dvrenik, Brac, Hvar to mention a few), and we were lucky enough to have nice weather!  We are tremendously satisfied customers!!!!!!!!!!!  Many Thanks!!!  Cheers to Nikoli, Marko, Ivan and Wille!  They were all great!! 

Judy and Bill Schwarz
San Jose
California

Monday, August 25, 2008

Turkey was the highlight for everyone

Of our trip, Turkey was the highlight for everyone.  The trip on the Piccolo was marvelous...It was far more than I expected.  We had never taken that kind of cruise before… The crew was what made the trip amazing...The Capt. was a lot of fun; but the food was out of this world!  I did not expect 5 star cuisine...I want to have someone just like Bekir to cook for us daily!!!  They were extremely patient; and went out of their way to make the journey memorable…
We definitely would like to do another cruise on the Piccolo with the same Capt and crew.

Dianne Garvin
Seattle
USA
July 2008

Monday, August 04, 2008

everything worked out perfectly

We have returned home from our wonderful holiday. Our gulet, Sher M, was fantastic. The crew and food were exceptional.  Everything worked out perfectly.  It was a wonderful family vacation.  Your idea to fly to Izmir and go to Ephesus and then drive to Bodrum was excellent.  We had ample time for everything -stopped for a great lunch in a little town and arrived at our hotel in Bodrum in time to enjoy the beautiful pool and relax before dinner.  It was a really fun day.

Phyllis Ring
San Francisco
USA
July, 2008