Crewed Yacht Charter Holiday Cruising Greece And Turkey Year 2007 (Links in Underlined Blue Text) What follows are verbatim log entries of year 2007 guests aboard the sailing yacht T.G. Ellyson hosting crewed yacht charter holidays exploring Aegean Greece and Turkey. To visit the TGE's home page click here. To examine various itineraries, such as Cleopatra's Route, prefacing these log entries, click here. For an introduction to the TGE's crew, click here. Kos to Rhodes (Cleopatra's Route). This week was a very pleasant education in the
people and land we had never visited before. We were prepared for the history and ruins, but the
real thing is still awe inspiring. The friendly welcoming people both Greek and Turkish were a
Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). We had no idea of what a sailing holiday
might be, and our time on and off of the T.G. Ellyson exceeded our expectations in terms of adventure,
learning and fellowship. Gordon and crew Sinead are a delightful team: salt and sugar, yen and yang -
balanced professionalism kept us all looking forward to the next day of adventure. Thank you for
providing us with the opportunity to share in your passion for the ancients and your camaraderie with
the many local Turkish and Greek folks along the way who clearly love and respect you, Gordon. To them
you are Gordon Baba, to us you are captain Gocek to Finike (Alexander's Path). A true voyage - seeing and hearing and discovering a new and ancient place. Sarpedon, Alexander, Caesar, Gordon - all a grand adventure. We met Aeolus at Kalkan, Artemis at Letoon, Nausicaa at Kale. The sirens saw us out of Fethiye. Sinead was cup bearer, housekeeper, cheer-bringer - all nectar and ambrosia. Gordon is Proteus - sailor, host, plumber, guide, raconteur, friend. We'll never forget sunrise at Wall Bay, twilight at Cold Water Bay, and so much in between. **********Magnificent and memorable. J Stege, Macon, Georgia, May 2007 Gocek to Finike (Alexander's Path). What a wonderful way to celebrate our retirement, with introduction to Turkish culture, history and archaeology while enjoying two weeks on the TGE. We've had the stimulation of fine archaeological sites, the drama of 50-knot winds in Kalkan harbor, and the pleasure of good food both on and off the boat. Gordon is skillful and responsible in handling the boat, and Sinead Walker is an attentive, lively, fun first mate. Together they are a delightful crew. Jennifer Abercrombie gets gold stars for locating and delivering lost luggage. Thanks to her efforts we got our gear and were able to fully enjoy the trip. Thanks for a lovely trip. ***** Diana Stege, Macon, Georgia, May 2007 Rhodes to Marmaris (Cleopatra's Route). It was difficult for a family of five prairie
Canadians to imagine life on a boat - a sailboat at that - for seven days! Captain Gordon and mate Adi
Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). For three ursan Portuguese ouyi to
sail on a boat was a challenging and scary perspective. It turned out to be a superb adventure. First
Rhodes to Rhodes (Cleopatra's Route). Gordon and Adi: May married life be such a
Kos to Rhodes (Cleopatra's Route). Gordon and Isabelle - This was an amazing trip - we had a wonderful time and you made our honeymoon unforgettable. From our first motorbike experience in Tilos to our first marine taxi in Loryma every moment was great. The sailing was beautiful. We will be back and can't wait for our next sunset gin-and-tonic together in the living room of the T.G. Ellyson. Thanks again for an unbelievable trip! Lauren Germain, Brooklyn, New York, August 2007 Kos to Rhodes (Cleopatra's Route). Gordon and Isabelle - Thank you so much for a
terrific experience Gocek to Ekincik (Cleopatra's Route). Sinead and Gordon you were both just wonderful in your knowledge of the area, culture, shopping, food, and those wonderful idyllic coves we visited were something else. So much more than I could ever of dreamed or even imagine. Wonderful in every respect. Thank you to you both for an unforgettable experience. Carol Snowley, Chard, Somerset, England, August 2007 Gocek to Ekincik (Cleopatra's Route). From bijou bays to gems in a turquoise sea our
journey went from pleasure to Gocek to Gocek (Lycian Sailing Holiday). We were very pleased Gordon didn't shout at us - until the last night when we sang badly and told poor jokes to his lovely kids. Great time - many thanks - good luck for the future! Morris and Vicki Tutty, London, England, August-September 2007 Gocek to Gocek (Lycian Sailing Holiday). Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). Our first time sailing has been a wonderful vacation as Gordon has been an excellent guide as well as captain. The historical information has been great and much appreciated. Harold Olson, Vancouver, British Columbia, September 2007 Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). This was a great introduction to sailing, showing that I will always want to charter, not own. I feel we've been in good hands, capable hands. Sorry about your wasp (sting on the) foot. Your helper (Sinead Walker) was great, too - a good combination of personalities. Best wishes to you and especially yours. Donna Olson, Vancouver, British Columbia, September 2007 Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). Michael and I enjoyed the sail immensely. We enjoyed
being with Gocek to Selimiye (Cleopatra's Route). Gordon was the boat and the boat was Gordon - Highlights were Selimiye for two nights and Caunos with Gordon's vast knowledge of history. A dramatic moment came when a burst of wind put our rail in the water - great fun! Gordon kept his cool. Thanks SO much for a wonderful ten days in Turkey. Crew Sinead charmed us all! Barbara and John Opie, New Buffalo, Michigan, September 2007 Gocek to Selimiye (Cleopatra's Route). On board, Gordon is all boat, sailing, and weather;
sailing guests Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). Our week with Gordon and Sinead was enjoyable and interesting. Sinead took great care of us and Gordon made us feel safe every step of the way. The places we stopped in the evenings were each unique and fun in their own way. We learned how to take proper Navy Showers although we didn't warm up to the bathrooms too well. It was really a great adventure. Thank You Gordon and Sinead - bon voyage on the rest of your life. Joan and Steven Haber, Sarasota, Florida, September-October 2007 Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). Gordon/Sarah. This was our first cruise and I didn't
know what to expect. I assumed it would be about sailing to exotic places. In one sense I was correct. The
TGE is a beautiful and proud boat. The sailing was comfortable and exhilarating. Gordon was the model of a
captain and Sarah tended to our comforts with charm, wit, and style. But to my surprise this trip had much
more to offer, for Gordon brought us into his world to share the people and places he holds dear. It was as
if we became characters in a film or play written, staged and directed by Gordon. Gocek to Ucagiz (Alexander's Path). I can add little more to Peter's observations; they capture the spirit of our ten day journey. The open air museums, the Lycian people and the architecture that speaks for them today, the incredible beauty of the landscape, fresh savory food, and the warmth of beautiful people. This has indeed been the memorable trip we anticipated and hope to do again someday. Nancy Kelly, Rochester, New York, October 2007
"Begin at the beginning, and go on until
you come to the end: then stop."
Dear Homo Sapiens, There is no need to continue reading this page. What
follows is intended for search engine robots and spiders and for the outraged. Further information
concerning charter yacht holidays exploring Aegean Greece and Turkey may be obtained by clicking on the
blue links immediately above. Thank You. Much of the 2007 charter yacht holiday season was passed
in the Greek Dodecanese and along the southwest coast of Turkey exploring some of Cleopatra's 32 BC
waypoints en route to Actium, including Rhodes and Kos in Greece and Loryma and Knidos in Turkey. It
was at Actium, now Preveza, on the west coast of mainland Greece that two monumental egos clashed in
31 BC with devastating consequences for tens of thousands, one of the egos fleeing during the battle's
opening minutes, the second's reputation for letting others do the dirty work untarnished by the outcome.
While we have not recently visited Preveza, and while we have no wish to explore the backbones of either
Antony or Octavian, we are not unaware of the devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands brought
about by today's monumental egos. It has been our good fortune this year to avoid Afghanistan and Iraq,
and it has been our privilege this year to instead visit Greek Nisiros, Tilos, Khalki, and Simi as well as
Turkish Selimiye, Bozburun, and Ekincik where the drum beat of George W. Bush's War on Terror is but a
distant whisper. We have also sailed Alexander's Path along the Turkish coast southeast of Gocek, and have
mingled in all of these places with some of God's more thoughtful and less belligerent creatures. As the
adjacent photograph attests, it was at the Monastery of Ayios Pandeleimon |
special treat. The deep blue of the
water and mountains of the islands are memories we will always cherish. Some special memories of our
trip are: (1) A spontaneous pork dinner on Nisiros. Almost like family with the 91-year old matriarch
presiding; (2) Our half-day walk through Simi Town, a modern ruin being re-done, was incredible; (3)
The sail through the passage into Selimiye Bay was magical; (4) Dinner at Aurora in Selimiye was a
9.9 on a ten-point scale; (5) Loryma Bay is beautiful - almost deserted but haunted by 2500 years of
ghosts; (6) Old Rhodes Town beyond the tourist shops is truly a world treasure; (7) Lindos - go there,
see the ruins and the natural harbors. Gordon and especially his crew Sinead catered to our interests
in a way that spoiled us. We were well fed and well cared for. Thanks, Gordon, for a vacation we will
remember and greatly enjoyed. Dale and Louise Henderson, Willcox, Arizona, April-May 2007
and a new friend. Peace to you and your family. Happy faces. Kathy Nelson, Macon, Georgia, and Jerry
Lee, Montgomery, Alabama, May 2007
made our first sailing holiday a fantastic
experience. The first night in Loryma captured the imagination as we entered what appeared to be pirate
cove - feasted with the locals and were entertained by a German brass quintet playing Dixieland - very
surreal! While the routine of life at sea was sometimes a challenge for three boys, they loved the
ports of call especially the ruins at Knidos and fortification above Selimiye. Of course they also loved
diving off the decks and using the kayaks to investigate the harbours after we arrived. Thomas, who is
10, agreed that Adi made really tasty lunches and was very nice to him - she even found something that
made him feel better when he was feeling a little sea sick - we all thought Captain Gordon did a great
job making sailing look like fun even though none of us ever really figured out enough to be helpful. He
kept us informed and comfortable - not an easy feat for land lubbers like us. Most importantly, we would
love to do this again! Thanks for a great 7-day experience. Kerin Schwab (for Chris, Alex, Stefan, and
Thomas Perl), Edmonton, Alberta, July 2007
of all, the boat is beautifully
outstanding. But on second, this was quite the opposite to useful guide drivers touristic visits. It was
a journey in the proper sense of the word. The skipper is a high (undecipherable word) professional that
assured us complete confidence on the safety of this project. He not only gave us this basic confidence
but revealed a professional knowledge of ancient Lycia civilization and its relations to Greek, Roman,
Macedonian, Byzantine and Ottoman kingdoms. Together with his historic wisdom the choices of the places
was superb, transforming a simple touristic project into a splendid journey on and about history and
human accomplishments. We must underline the fact that we were really lucky to experience such an
opportunity not easily found throughout touristic agencies. This was fantastic. We want to express our
gratitude to Adi the diligent and sweet skipper's aid that made superb (undecipherable word) meals
during our exciting days aboard T.G. Ellyson. Paulo, Maria Joao, and Francisco Fidalgo, Lisbon,
Portugal, July 2007
smooth, enjoyable and wonderful
experience as our week's exploration of the Dodecanese Islands in your company. Your hospitality and
guidance has been very appreciated. Thank you for such an amazing experience. Best Wishes, James and
Ellen Berkeley, London, England, July 2007
that we
would never have had without you. Gordon's knowledge of the nooks and crannies of Greek and Turkish
locales is astounding and enabled us to see things we could only imagine. The frescoes in Tilos and
castle at Selimiye were great. You two make a great team. We will be telling all of our friends about
this trip for a long time. Ben Polen, Brooklyn, New York, August 2007
pleasure. Even when there were doldrums at sea we managed to find a plethora of antiquities to be
educated about and to wonder over. Sharing balmy evenings under young oranges with laughing children
and great friends our holiday was complete. My son, the Great Alexander, whispered to me, "Daddy, this
is the best holiday ever!...." To Sinead, William, Sian, Jenny, and Captain Gordon I will shout.... "Yes,
this has been mine (ours), too...." Thank you so much. Geoffrey Beetlestone, Chard, Somerset, England,
August 2007
Gordon seems to read his books from inside his eyelids! Richard and Michelle
Thomas, Pluckley, Kent, August-September 2007
Harold and Donna and seeing the coast of Turkey. The people and the places were revealing and
beautiful. This is a wonderful way to be introduced to Turkey, and this visit has planted the seed of
future vacations. Christa Easton (and Michael Olson), Redwood City, California, September 2007
(us) shouldn't get in the way. But in a boat
or weather crisis, you're glad you have Gordon
as your skipper. Ashore he gives you his extensive knowledge of the ancient ruins and the peoples who
lived in them. At dinner he softens and becomes a warm and interesting person with passionate political and
social views. A memorable and treasured sailing experience. Fred and Maureen Lighthall, Harbert, Michigan,
September 2007
The cast of characters are innumerable, too many to
comment on each. They ranged from leading roles like Sian, Jenny and William to minor roles like Angelo
and Ali Tuna. Throughout the trip the Lykians appear as Gordon is able to give voice to the people of an
ancient ruin. Gordon directs it all with a minimum of command and a maximum of assurance. "Climb up here...
look down this wall...imagine ships entering the harbor and reading instructions at the lighthouse..."
Through it all Nancy and I found that we had a part to play - helping on board
and interacting with all that went on around us. That may have been Gordon's greatest gift to us - helping
us to discover new things about ourselves. Peter Pappas, Rochester, New York, October 2007
on Tilos that we found an Orthodox priest
lunching with one of these creatures (and on a subsequent visit, lunching with us). Back in Washington, D.C.,
meanwhile, God's violent creatures were promoting a "surge" in Iraq the purpose of which was
said to be "victory," as if victory might be achieved in spite of tens of thousands of lives lost, as if
victory might be achieved in spite of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women, and children maimed
forever, as if victory might be achieved given millions of displaced refugees forced to flee their homes,
as if victory might be achieved under a tidal wave of despair and hopelessness. Who put those monumental
egos in office! Who put those violent creatures in office! Who put those idiots on their pedestals! We
the people did it, and we the people are to blame for the tidal wave of despair and hopelessness
in Iraq! And we the people are also responsible for the quagmire in Afghanistan where, as Hamid Karzai
has often protested, no American bats an eye at "collateral damage," where innocent human beings are
suffering the consequences of monumental egos making "regrettable" errors. Finally, we the people are
responsible for Pakistan, where our lone ally's tenuous hold on power is swiftly eroding and where the
people may soon get their hands on The Bomb. And now the pit bull occupying No. 1 Naval
Observatory Circle is promoting a domino theory, shades of Viet Nam, as if he had first-hand knowledge
of Viet Nam, where the only dominos were self-inflicted losses in Cambodia and Laos, a theory perhaps
predicated on self-inflicted wounds in Pakistan, that a "loss" in Iraq will domino further across the
Middle East and put terrorists on the 
U.S. doorstep. Mr.
Cheney, Iraq has already been lost. Ask any of the survivors. Afghanistan has already been lost. Ask Hamid
Karzai. And, finally, Pakistan has been lost. Ask the people in the streets. You the reader might ask
yourself: Can one holiday with a pit bull marching through the West Wing? Can one holiday
at a time of such tragedy? Perhaps. One might holiday in search of historical truths, truths which had
they been recognized at Yale University or in the outback of Montana or in the oil patch of Texas might
have prevented such tragedy. Charter yacht holidays exploring Aegean Greece and Turkey afford opportunity
after opportunity to learn the lessons of history (read some of these lessons in the disclaimer at