Sailing and Swimming the Aegean!

We had this WHOLE boat to ourselves!!!  Can you see Danni and me on the top deck?!

Hanging out beneath the Turkish flag before departing!

See you landlubbers later!!

On our way out of the harbor...

Bidding farewell to Bodrum's swimming beach...

The whole front of the boat was covered in pillows... perfect for relaxing in the sun!

On the bow with Mama!

Our first stop was at Black Island - it is a thermal island so the water was REALLY warm.  (And a little slimey)...

We explored some sea caves...  I was a little scared at first, but inside it was amazing!

Danni had a sea horsey ride!

Drying off on the top deck... 

We stopped again at Meteor Beach... supposedly, a giant meteor crashed into the ocean here.  We could only see a black hole beneath the super clear water...  

Mommy and I swam all the way to the beach!  The water was a little cold... but warmer than the Pacific!

Fishing off the back of the boat.  I didn't have great luck with the fish!

Taking a soda break!

Danni and I could get used to the sailing life!

More fishing!

Our boat came with a chef!  She cooked us a yummy lunch of pasta, chicken, salad, and homemade chips (french fries!)  Everything was SO delicious!!

Ready for another swim!!  

Swimmer boy!

Danni was looking for sharks!

At the end of the day, the crew made a little birthday party for Mama!  There was a cake and some candles (but we devoured it!)

They even had a birthday banner!!

Sea swimming is hard work!

Aegean sea kiss!

Boat selfie with Mama!

Swimming with the fishies...

Helping the crew navigate the boat back into the harbor.... 

I got to help the captain drive back to the harbor!

Bodrum castle from the sea!

Getting ready to return to reality...

One of our favorite days in Bodrum was the one that we spent sailing and swimming in the Aegean Sea!  We chartered a HUGE boat (usually meant for 25-30 people!) but since the summer season was ending, they were happy to take our little family of 4 out on the ocean for a day of sun and swimming!  Our first stop was at an island where we got to explore underground sea caves.  I was a little scared of the idea at first ... but I swam inside the cave with Daddy and checked it out with my flashlight ... it was SUPER cool in there.  I even convinced Danni to come in with us (she did... but she would not let go of Daddy's back!)  :)  The water was REALLY warm because the island is considered to be a thermal island...  This is also the island where Cleopatra hid!  We then sailed to Meteor Beach.  Supposedly, a meteor crashed into the ocean here... we couldn't see the meteor, but we could see a black hole where the captain told us the meteor had crashed!!  This beach was great for swimming and fishing!  The water was so clear that you could see schools of fish swimming near the boat (but I could not get any of them to eat the bait off of my line!)  They all liked eating bread crusts that we threw to them, though!  The onboard chef made us a delicious lunch which we ate here.  It was the most perfect meal ever -- the water was calm and beautiful and the food was so yummy.  (Neither of us had any complaints about the meal!  A rarity, for sure!)  After lunch we sailed to yet another swimming hole and deserted beach!  This was the first time that Danni and I had ever swam in the ocean!  (Usually we just get our feet wet... until we get knocked over by the waves!)  Our life jackets really helped us to swim safely in the 'deep ends' ... neither of us liked the salty taste... but we didn't think this ocean tasted as salty as ours back home.  Unfortunately, we had to return the boat to the harbor before the sun went down, so we made our way back.  The captain showed me how to drive!!  I could get used to the sea sailing life!!!