*On Sunday, 4 May ’08, Deniz Cruise & Ferry Lines’ ship M/F Samsun left Bodrum for Istanbul beginning a weekly service expected to continue through the summer, perhaps into autumn. For those who prefer a relaxed sea voyage to other means of transport this is a most welcome development. The company also offers other cruises that may be equally or even more popular, such as a special “Historical, Cultural and Living Istanbul” tour which includes round trip sea voyage, guided tours to numerous city landmarks, sleeping quarters aboard ship during the whole excursion, some meals, etc. Another cruise on offer is to Yalta and Odessa in the Crimea, Ukraine; the visit includes Balaclava famous in the Crimean War. We hope that the Istanbul-Bodrum service not only continues but that the fares be made competitive with those charged by other Aegean/Mediterranean ferries at equivalent distances – that would make this service irresistible indeed. For full details of all cruises contact through www.denizline.com.tr or phone o212-292-1600.

**The arrival on 1 May ’08 of a Greek ferry from Cos in Yalikavak inaugurated another new weekly sea connection, this time between neighbors Greece and Turkey, with the arriving passengers feted by the mayor and other town worthies in style, including a lot of colored smoke blown as the ferry entered the marina. The fame of the Yalikavak Thursday market has apparently spread to the island of Cos so we wish our neighbors “happy shopping”, hoping that the marina authorities solve the outstanding problems with Customs authorities so that our visitors don’t experience any further unwarranted delays.

***Göltürkbükü already has a certain reputation to uphold as a paparazzi paradise, the source of numerous titillating tales of Turkish socialites, entertainers, etc. Now the place is also all over the pages of the national press, but the shenanigans are more prosaic being related not to sex but to money. As we reported previously, the local Council decided to demolish illegally constructed jetties and managed to have some destroyed. But somehow many were left standing, and the word is that these happen belong to operators who have powerful backers higher up. Accusations of improper conduct and threats of legal actions fly around like crazed hornets but it’s interesting that no-one seems to be losing much sleep over it. Never mind, we’ll keep you posted as the brouhaha develops.