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.” |
