Passage to Bulgaria

Dealing with Turkish beaurocracy when attempting to complete our exit procedure in Istanbul was a nightmare. Suffice it to say that we would not like to have to repeat the experience. An early departure from Kalamis/Fenerbache marina saw Jack Tar passing through the shipping and ferry traffic of the entrance to the Bosphorus during peak hour and at the same time battling a four knot current. It was fun! Passage up the Bosphorus was a delight; it has to be one of the most attractive waterways in the world, lined with beautiful homes, all sorts of yachts, motor yachts, fishing boats and commercial vessels as well as lush green vegetation and old historical forts and palaces. Unlike the blue Agean the waters of the Black Sea are green and turquoise, and on entry we found no wind and motored west through about 100 ships waiting their turn to transit the Bosphorus. The Turkish coastline was largely featureless and the hinterland scarred by open cut brown coal mining for much of the way. Motor sailing in light and variable winds with overnight anchorages at Karaburnu and Igneada saw us to the Bulgarian border where the southern coast proved to be quite beautiful, with green forrested hills sloping down to the sea, golden beaches and pretty towns. No wonder this part of Bulgaria is beginning to thrive on foreign tourism; new construction everywhere. Arrival and entry routine at Bourgas proved easy with officials friendly and co-operative, and we found ourselves berthed at the local yacht club soon thereafter. And for a big city bourgas is quite attractive, so we`ll spend a couple of days here. Our first night saw the locals celebrating families day and end of high school year.