Altinkum boat trips are the perfect way to change the mundane routine that has become my life. Routines are boring, pathetic and have no business trying to force their way into my day-to-day existence. However, unfortunately in the past months, an urge to save money for traveling had me chained to my computer in a boring repetitive action that has more or less destroyed any enthusiasm I had.
So when friends mentioned they were going on a lazy day boat trip in Altinkum, I decided that I had to be having some of that. It was the word “lazy” that appealed to me and since it had been a long time since I left dry land, I eagerly signed up with Altinkum Boat Trips on Facebook.
Every day until the day of boat trip came around, my friend called me eagerly to confirm that I was still going. Long-suffering hubby also had a rather surprised look on his face as well. Apparently everyone laughed at my sudden interest in boat trips and honestly thought that at the last minute I would feign a fake bout of illness or invent some huge disaster to get out of it.
Altinkum Boat Trips and Tours
I was determined to go but there was a slight problem. I live a 5 minute walk from Altinkum beach and also live on a complex with two swimming pools but on the day of the boat trip, I woke up and discovered that I had no swimming costume, no shorts, no hat, no sunglasses and no sun cream. Much needed items for a boat trip
Seriously, this is a major lack of preparation right? But women know how to improvise in times of trouble and the solution was to raid hubby’s wardrobe so off I trotted to the harbor dressed in his boxer shorts and clothes. The boxer shorts were to be my swimming costume for the day, but my concern was that I don’t have any body parts to fill the flabby bit on the front of the boxer shorts. Fears of the flabby bit filling up with water and acting as a life buoyancy aid were prominent in my mind.
When I arrived at Altinkum harbor, I made it clear that I did not want a party boat with drinking games and people puking overboard. My partying days are over and I needed to relax so I was assigned to the Siesta boat. A two deck boat, it is aimed especially at those who want to chill out and enjoy a lazy day cruising the coastline of the Aegean.
The gangplank leading into the sea meant there were no attempts by me to belly flop off the top deck into the crystal blue waters beneath. Toilets were spotlessly clean, there was a fully stocked bar with Efes beer and the music was played at a level where you can still hear yourself think. The perfect set up for relaxation in my eyes.
Watersports
We dropped anchor in a number of bays where Debra went off snorkeling, a couple of the other girls decided to take a ride in the speed boat and some other adventurous souls jumped on the banana boat. Me? I was laid out on the top deck taking in the rays and enjoying my lazy day boat cruise. I did go swimming once, but due to my fears of the boxer shorts inflating with sea water, I kept my outer shorts on.
The lazy day boat trip was everything it was meant to be. I de-stressed and relaxed and managed to pick up sizzling – lobster red tan marks. Will I be going again? Hell, yes of course I will. For 20 Turkish lira, (8 Uk Pounds) I got a full day out and managed to relax and banish mundane routine from my days.
Turkey has such an amazing beach line. I am so jealous.
Small world Claire – Bet you did not expect to browse the web and see yourself in a photo!
haha the 6th picture inside the boat did make me laugh – it’s my mum in the background and me leaning against the post!!
It is great Don. Planning on trying to squeeze another one before the summer season ends here in Turkey.
Looks like a great way to spend the afternoon – and that water looks gorgeous!
Boat cruises happen every day in every coastal resort Theo. Think the Turks love spending time out at on the water.
I don’t think of Turkey as a place for boat cruises. Great you got out and about…
I should have put that photo on shouldn’t I Julia? It was good but I ended up with that many, it was hard choosing.
Hmm, your boat trips are 5 lira less than the ones here in Feythiye! 🙂 Glad you had a good day. I was hoping to see the photo on here that I saw of you on Facebook. 😉
Julia
It is a great boat Sherry. I had to retire to the below deck in the afternoon when the sun got too much.
Oh, that boat looks so functionally perfect for a trip out in the water with its sun deck on top and shaded eating area below. I’d probably be one of the few in the shade (hate being burned) and enjoying the cool breeze from the water. What a lovely day that would be to get away. Glad you got a chance to do it.
Hi Debs, Getting out of the routine is the hard part but once it is done, the thrill and excitement are plentiful. Been following your trip. What a rush! I am sure your mum and dad are so proud of you as well.
Good for you for jumping in on a boat trip. I agree, routines are not a good thing in life. It is great to mix it up a bit. I just came home from a long travel and have watched my parents to the same routine day in day out. They have the means and the time to mix it up, but they don’t. If everyone just stepped out of their comfort zone every once in a while, they’d wake up from the fog!
Way to go for the swimsuit improvistation.
@Shane – Do it before the end of season, there is not much time left.
@Claire – I loved your blog. Took me a while to figure out who Mrs C was. Loved your video as well.
I love Kalkan and will get back there by hook or by crook… hope you enjoy my blog: it’s recently been written with my work colleagues in mind as an audience so it probably seems a bit bizarre… Thanks for looking at it though!
Sounds like we’ve been living a similar existence lately. It’s worth it to save for new travels. I have yet to take a boat trip but may put some business the way of the Siesta or a similar boat before the season ends. If not the usual mantra will be repeated: ‘next season’.
Agree Alan, When it is on your doorstep, you tend to take it for granted.
with all that lake, river and sea and beach at nearby Dalyan, we haven’t been on a boat trip for 2 years. As you say, it all becomes a bit passée and the lazy gene takes over. Nice post.
Just clicked on your blog Claire – Stoked to have you lead me to it as Kalkan is on my list of places of my next tour. Getting the cup of coffee for reading time.
I loved this. It brought back great memories of my recent Turkish boat trip. I had no troubles on the swimsuit front – as I lived in one whilst in Turkey, but I do regret not doing the onboard lunch justice as my sea legs had given way under a slight swell…. so I need to go back and try again!
I don’t know why I have left it so long before taking one Jack – Got too used to my surroundings I think.
We love boat trips and take them whenever we can. Like you we avoid the scrum boats full to the brim with party animals and tend to hire a boat with a few choice Bodrum Belles. It’s a great way to relax.