▼The state of the Port Bodrum Yalıkavak Marina can make a grown man cry, especially when seen after visiting the other two marinas on the peninsula, Milta Bodrum and D-Marin Turgutreis. Both of these marinas pulse with life even in winter while the Yalıkavak marina is visibly rotting, withering on the vine. The sign (inset photo) is just symbolic of the air of malaise that pervades the establishment clearly seen in the crumbling empty shops of the “VIP Shopping Area” and in the air of abandonment in the stark computer-less Front Office. On condition of anonymity some staff have complained of not being paid for months. On the other hand the marina is chock-a-block full, virtually minting money, AND dump-trucks continue disgorging landfill enlarging the already oversized “island” appended to the western breakwater. What gives?! What kind of a bizarre brew in being cooked up for Yalıkavak? Is there no authority to investigate this questionable state of affairs?
▲Bodrum spectacularly flunked the Earth Hour test, the world-wide campaign of turning lights out for an hour to bring attention to climate change, sponsored by WWF and supported by the U.N. The noted exception in Bodrum was The Marmara Bodrum Hotel (congratulations!). Even the Bodrum Castle lights continued blazing (shame!) while just a few of us sat for an hour by candlelight reflecting on this lack of a sense of responsibility, of solidarity with the rest of the planet. But then we’re great on slogans and rousing speeches…The next test comes on April 18: the Dow Live Earth Run for Water. For global details see: http://liveearth.org/en/therunforwater – for the Bodrum event (walk from the Castle to Gümbet) see http://www.joinliveearth.org/page/event/detail/friendsofliveearth/4jj9c ►We’ve all noticed the dug up roads all over the peninsula as the State Water Authority is installing new infrastructure water piping. Archaeologists from the Bodrum Museum are overseeing the digs by the Antique Amphitheater to protect any artifacts encountered but there’s nobody to ensure that historic treasures are not destroyed in all the other working sites all over the peninsula. Also, will the work be done by the start of the tourist season? Why wasn’t it started earlier? Now we’re all being spattered with mud and avoiding pot-holes.
♫ On a more pleasant note, there are two musical events well-worth attending, both in Marmara College: April 2, 19:30 hrs, Eren Leventoglu piano recital (repertoire of Bach-busconi, Chopin, Debussy, Brahms), and April 6, 20:00 hrs, the Nota Bene Duo (Alexander Vavtar, piano; Eva Steinshaden, violin) playing Mozart, Schubert and Nusshichler, sponsored by the Honorary Consul of Austria in Bodrum. ☻On the sporting side, the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey riders arrive in Bodrum on April 12, finishing in Turgutreis, and departing Bodrum from the Harbor on April 13. Then, the Bodrum Motorcycle Club (BMK) is organizing the Bodrum Enduro Races on 24-25 April. (Info at 3F Bodrum Motor, Cevat Sakir Cad. No. 114, tel. 052-313-2828 or gsm 0555-279-6767). Final note for coffee lovers: Starbuck opens in Bodrum on April 8 at No. 57 Neyzen Tevfik Cad. Opening: 13:00-16:00 hrs.)