I’ve never felt so much like a pirate than a few years ago when I found myself aboard a boat with a group of fine ladies and a few other unbeknown passengers, sailing the incredible south western coast of Turkey. Not that we sailed the boat ourselves, wore eye patches or even journeyed on un-chartered waters:  it’s a course many take when they find themselves where the Mediterranean meets the East.

We did, however, give ourselves swash buckling names: Barnicle Bev was one of my seafaring friends, but sadly, wracking my brain – my name escapes me… maybe one of me hearties remembers? (Ez?!)

But it wasn’t just the appeal of being a pirate that made this trip so brilliant. It was swimming in the most cobolt blue sea you’ll ever see. Sleeping in the night heat outside on deck. Waking to the smell of engine diesel (bleh). Anchoring at the Valley of the Butterflies. Eating Nutella & banana pancakes bought from a man in a dinghy. Very Waterworld-ish.

We sailed along the most incredible scenes from Olympos to Ölüdeniz. These pics hardly do the bright blue justice but to give you an idea – I took these with a shoddy Kodak 5-mega pixel camera and have made zero enhancements – it was such a blinding shade of blue I’m not even sure there’s a word that covers it….

About Ingrid Schroder

A Sydneyside corporate graphic designer, photographer & yoga teacher - I find myself turning to nature for guaranteed revival from the crazy pace of city life - be it digging in my garden, capturing natural beauty through a lens, floating in the ocean, practicing yoga or out exploring this incredible planet we all call home. Follow me on twitter @Cohabitaire