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FIRST CRUISE
SHIP ARRIVED IN DIDIM!
THE first passengers arrived at Didim’s
International Port today to be met by Turkish music,
smiles, hand-shakes, as well as roses from Mayor
Mümin Kamacı, and his wife Şerife.
The historic landing came as the first batch of
passengers from Wind Spirit hopped off a small boat
dispatched from the cruise ship at about 10.30am.
The first passenger to alight from the boat was
Brazilian Adriana Ronaldo.
Wind Spirit had sailed effortlessly into the bay on
a sun-kissed, but very quiet and sedate Aegean Sea,
from the Greek Island of Rhodes.
Many British and Turkish residents in Didim had
waited for more than hour for the Windstar Group’s
cruise ship, sailing on its five flags, to appear
over the horizon and drift in meticulously.
Wind Spirit passengers, including Americans Rhoda
and Ronnie Hand, from New York City, and Bill and
Leslie Shippey, from Los Angeles, told Voices
Newspaper they were overwhelmed and delighted to be
greeted in such a way.
They watched as the folk dancers gave them a right
royal Turkish welcome. They expressed their surprise
at making history in the making as the first
passengers to set foot in Didim from the sea.
Mr Hand said: “It is great to be here and meet the
local people. It is fantastic that we are making a
little bit of history for ourselves and for the
local town here. The way the Turkish people have
greeted us is great.”
Mrs Shippey, originally from London, added: “I
wondered why there were so many crowds waiting for
us. We thought something had happened but realize
now, everyone was waiting for us. We feel very
honoured and special to be here.”
The two couples expressed their desire to see the
sights of Didim, including Apollo Temple, before
they departed the port.
A total of 97 from the 140 passengers from Wind
Spirit were due to take bus tours, calling in at
Soke Market, Miletos and Piriene historical sights,
as well as the Temple of Apollo.
Florida-based Bill and Margaret Herlong, Ronnie and
Nancy Young, as well as Carol and Ferryll Young, all
from the town of Leesburg, in New Orlando, were also
over-whelmed with the welcoming they received. Each
guest was given a red rose.
Mrs Herlong said: “We have been traveling as a group
on holiday for many years. This is the first time we
have had such a welcome as this. We have never been
here before but the coastline is beautiful.
“The Aegean Sea is very cold thought compared to the
waters around Florida. But we are glad to be here.”
Joan and Milton Kirby, also from Leesburg, said: “We
have a wonderful welcome from the people of Didim.
It has made our trip very special. It will be
remembered for many years to come.”
Before the passengers landed at Didim, there was a
small piece of history created by two Philippinos –
Myla Basilio and Jerick Cubillan – who were actually
boarding the ship from Didim. Both work on the ship.
Myla said: “We are both crew members and we did not
even know that we were the first people to ever
leave Didim by sea through the customs port. I was
surprised at how many British live here. Didim is a
very nice resort and one we shall be coming back to
in the near future.”
The port opened for the first time after a row
between customs and police was settled amicably last
week.
http://www.voicesnewspaper.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1812 |
TURKEY NEWS
