Bodrum
Trip Start
Oct 13, 2005
1
8
26
Trip End
Ongoing
Bodrum, Turkey
Saturday, November 5, 2005
of a problem at the port. In the rain yesterday I had
become pretty wet. This included my wallet and its
contents... including my ferry ticket. The guy at the
desk accused me of forgery and theft. Happily a phone
call to the place of purchase sorted it.
The sea was extremely rough. So much so that when it
came to board they could not lower the gangplank
because of danger to passengers. The solution was to
lower it a tiny bit and passengers jump through the
gap, one at a time, each time the boat sank on a wave.
Health and safety would have gone mad. I wouldn't like
to have done the risk assessment on that one.
So, back in Turkey tonight. Another little hidden away
Pansiyon, and yet again, I appear to be the only
guest.
Saturday 5th November
Not my most comfortable night. It was cold and
unfortunately both sheets and blankets are too short.
The choice was cold feet or cold shoulders, neither of
which I relished. Eventually at 2 a.m. I solved the
problem by getting into my sleeping bag in the bed.
A short walk this morning and I found a Wi-Fi hotspot
that I could get on to, so I will get this out
sometime tomorrow. After a coffee I walked the edge of
both bays before heading into the town exploring. It
was very busy and mainly with Turkish people. Today I
learnt it was the last day of the three day holiday to
celebrate the end of Ramadan. I broke for lunch in a
small park and ate a Doner and a couple of oranges.
Just as I was entering the castle of St. Peter, who
should I bump into but Art and Oafa Louida. They had
come up with Jenny from Marmaris that morning and were
catching a plane to Istanbul later tonight. It is a
small world. Anyway it was hello and goodbye because I
was going to continue my castle tour and they had to
meet up with Jenny.
The castle was interesting. Not as big as some I have
recently but definitely in the best repair. Within the
walls there were many museum exhibits and extensive
graphics or explanatory signs. The only shame was
that, due to it being Eid some sections were closed
down. This had not led to any reduction in entrance
price however. There were some surprising exhibits
including the largest stone dildos I have seen since
the museum of erotica in Paris.
There was an animal connection. Four notice boards
told of the facts, fables and legends of the birds,
mammals, reptiles and insects of the castle. I only
saw peafowl, domestic ducks and a bee though. All in
all though the castle was well worth a visit with lots
to see.
By yet another sheer coincidence as I was on my way to
the Masoleum, I met up yet again with Art, Jenny and
Louida a bit later on. We had a couple of beers before
moving on to a restaurant and Raki for an excellent
meal together.
I was very sad to read on Zoo Biology of the death of
my good friend and colleague, Sean Drayton, who passed
away on the 31st October. I had known Sean since 1968.
We started as keepers in the same week in what was
then 'Flamingo Park Zoo'. We shared the same flat, the
same friends and many of the same experiences. With
only brief tries at other careers he has remained
there ever since (though the collection is now named
Flamingoland). Although his animal knowledge was quite
extensive he was first and foremost a bird man, a role
in which he excelled. There are many who owe their
bird successes to talks with Sean. Those who didn't
listen to his advice only regretted it later. I have
said before that Sean's other calling in life was as a
comedian. He was so quick witted he could have you
laughing for hours on end, even about quite tragic
events.
Sadly Sean had been ill for some time. When I visited
with him this summer he brushed off his incapacities
as a 'passing' phase. I'm not sure if he really
believed it but he took me on a complete tour of the
zoo to prove his point, and it really took it out of
him.
I will miss Sean and our periodic reminiscences of
people we once worked with. He leaves an ex-wife
(Ruth) and two sons to whom I extend my deepest
sympathy.
