From Istanbul to Bitez and beyond

Frank booked Istanbul Airport Transfers to take us from Istanbul to the Sabiha Gokcen airport where the budget airlines leave from. Once again Stephen had difficulty getting through the metal detectors – not sure if it was the metal pins in his arms or his boots. Anyway, they whisked him away to pat him down in a cubicle, and once satisfied he wasn’t really carrying a hidden weapon they let him go and told him to tell the guys at the second security gate he was OK?!

No need to tell you that the next checkpoint was also a major issue. One man was so obnoxious that two of the locals got involved in the debate, and it was only when a very attractive young Turkish woman gave the guy what for in no uncertain terms that they allowed us through. Phew!
The flight to Bodrum was mercifully short as there was a screaming baby in the seat behind Carol and another directly in front. The baby at the back fell asleep once we had taken off, but unfortunately the one in front kept up the screaming for most of the flight.

We were met at Bodrum airport (after successfully collecting all four bags this time) and whisked away in a nice roomy, comfortable and air-conditioned Mercedes 10 or 12 seater bus. Around half an hour later we were standing at a small harbor in Bitez village (Bitezyali) on the Aegean Sea looking out at a beautiful (and rather large) boat. The Naviga 1, our home for the next week.

Naviga 1

Hoisting the sails

We were lucky with our booking on this beautiful boat as she sleeps 16 but there were just the four of us plus a father and daughter (Han and Elise) from the Netherlands, and a staff of four to look after us. We were waited on hand and foot and we couldn’t recommend SCIC more highly.