Hello all.
Well, once again I screwed up my distribution list, but I hope I got everybody
on.
We've been here about one month, and Rose just returned last week from the UK.
Her trip was a nightmare getting there with late flights and broken luggage.
Worse yet, when she got there, the vaunted National Health, that people like
Hillary extol, was a joke. First, they simply put her back on the meds that she
started on in Penang, which the Malaysian doctor revised. NH refused to listen
to that. Or consider alternatives. Rose had been told by another doc that
there were some amazing new meds out there. Then they said they wouldn't treat
her unless she remained in England and made her wait another two weeks before
even starting them. On the bright side, the steroids they've given her have
made her pain free (but they are to be tapered off over a few more weeks) and
just when we had given up, they called, and she was at least able to get a free
prescription for the other stuff which is so evil one must get monthly blood
tests to check liver functions. So she is sorted and we can get the medication
here w/o a scrip or go over to Rhodes, Greece on the ferry and get free EU
treatment there. We had hoped for a newer gentler drug, but they wouldn't even
discuss it. On the asthma front, the news is a bit better. The asthma nurse
(the docs in the UK really don't do much themselves--great system, eh?) said the
heavy duty stuff prescribed in Alanya was over the top and reduced her back to
the good old ventalin inhaler which is working well. She was actually glad to
return to the boat as the UK weather was pretty awful, and ours has been great
with sunny days in the 80's and nights in the 60's. So, overall, Rose is feeling
pretty good, and we'll just have to see how it goes.
The captain, on the other hand, had something seriously wrong with his shoulder,
BUT, fortunately, we were able to find a German chiropractor who fixed me.
We're talking serious pain before treatment that even the heavy duty painkillers
we keep for emergencies didn't work. I also found a really good massage guy for
TL30--about $20, so even the old git is feeling pretty good. Even Charlie has
been plagued. Was "off' before Rose left so I took him to the vet who diagnosed
a liver problem. He needed daily IV's as he hadn't been drinking and spent 6
days at the vet before returning home. Was fine for about 10 days and then
started again. I think that was food poisoning and am happy to report he is
back to his old self and eating like a pig to regain the weight he lost.
While Rose was gone, I organized some repairs and other stuff. Turns out the
problem with my brand new inverter was just an internal fuse. But Nooooo, could
the manufacturer tell me to check that? About a five minute job to check and
replace. Spent hundreds with the local guys testing before Xantrex would let us
open the box. We have now received our new genoa sail which tore, you will
recall, in the gulf of Antalya. Got a pretty good deal from the local Doyle
sail guys avoiding a lot of shipping cost and hassles with customs. Other than
that, my time with Rose away was spent cleaning and minor repairs and organizing
work to be done on the boat. Right at the marina are some very qualified
(yahoo!!!!) for a change jack of all trades boat management and repair places.
The yard, itself, does nothing except haul you out when ready--we'll go in
April, so there are all these on site contactors. Very convenient and very good
so far.
As for Marmaris, the marina is pretty nice, but not as upscale as the
double-the-price marina right in town. All in all, there are probably about
2,000 boats wintering here between the two places, about 2/3 out of the water.
With so many people around, there is a very active radio net at the civilized
hour of 9 AM each morning with the usual announcements of social events, stuff
for sale and help wanted or provided for all around advice about how to get
things done. As I said the weather has been stunning but we are told it turns
windy, cold and rainy after the first of the year. There are tons of things to
do with group trips overnight to see various sights--we're especially looking
forward to the one to Istanbul in Feb for the boat show--although not to the 12
or 15 hour bus ride. There was a Halloween party and there is a big
Thanksgiving do at the other marina on Thursday. There's yoga, Turkish lessons,
bowling, walking tours, picnics, etc., etc., etc.
The town, itself, a tourist destination, has wound down now and has changed
quite a bit from my one day trip eight years ago. There is a special ferry
terminal now outside of town, the Grand Bazaar is now all organized and under
roof and prices have shot up. The Turks seem to be pretty friendly though and
we are enjoying it.
The one bummer was my "visa run" on the ferry over to Rhodes. You get 90 days
and then have to leave--not even overnight--and get a new 90 when you return.
It should be a piece of cake with a 2 hour run over there and a nice day
shopping, like getting reasonably priced pork products, and 2 hours back.
Leaves at 9 AM. Fortunately, I checked, and the daily schedule had been
curtailed to twice a week. No problem. I booked a ticket on the phone 3 days
in advance of visa expiration. Schlep down to the ferry only to be told I could
get there, but the return had been overbooked and couldn't get back for five
days. You would think immigration would be understanding, but nooooo, since the
next ferry was 2 days after expiration, I got hit with a $150 fine and there was
no talking them out of it. To make matters worse, it was a Sunday so no
shopping. None!!! We even had trouble finding a restaurant that was open.
I'll book a week or so in advance next time in February.
On a final note, now that we know the "program" for marinas in the Med, it may
be economical enough to winter next year in Italy. We'll see as I've written to
several marinas for their rates with no replies yet. We could, me really, sort
out getting Italian residency without the hassle of travelling over from
Tunisia. Besides, although Turkey is pretty secular, we're tired of Muslim
countries for long term stays.
Cheers for now. Happy Thanksgiving to all you Yanks.
Tim & Rose
