when we got to the airport i had some problems with the metal detector. apparently i forgot some coins stowed away in my pockets and kept on setting off the alarm. one of the guards patted me down but i was disappointed when he didn't check the area between my legs. if you're going to give me a pat down, at least do a thorough job! i might look harmless, but sir, i assure you, i am not! when it came time to board the plane (ayse was in the bathroom somewhere puking besides her mother), a bus came by to pick us up and drove us to the plane. before they allowed anyone to board the plane, they lined up all the suitcases and we had to point to our pieces of luggage. i guess it's for security reasons, make sure they are no unattended bombs going onboard, but it's a good system, because i know for certain that my luggage is going on the plane with me.
the plane ride took but an hour. flipdown lcd screens dotted the cabin. ayse sat with her parents, peacefully sleeping after throwing up some more on the plane. the stewardesses of turkish airline were all very attractive, i was very impressed. i highly recommend turkish air the next time you travel. when we arrived at the airport, ayse's father hailed two taxis and we drove about an hour to the port town of gocek, where our sailboat was waiting for us. we snaked through narrow windy mountain roads before arriving at our destination, a large marina packed with sailboats. we met up with our captain and our two crew members, who took us onto the boat, gave us a tour, and showed us to our cabins. we had dinner on the boat. because it was already dark, we weren't going to head out until the next morning. after dinner, i went with ayse and her parents back onto the surface, where there were a lot of shops and markets selling everything from food to snorkeling equipment to souvenirs like rugs and postcards.
that night was my first night ever sleeping on a boat. the rocking was disorienting at first, but soon it became somewhat soothing and i fell asleep with my portholes opened (don't!), a nice gentle seabreeze blowing into my cabin.