Situated on the Mediterranean coast of the Turkish Riviera, on the southern shore of the Teke Peninsula, the town of Finike is best known for its delicious oranges, the symbol of the town, and they are indeed delicious!

However, research revealed that Finike is actually the ancient town of Phoenix or Phoinix, also formerly called Phineka. Quite ironic really, since we lived in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona until 2014 when we became full-time cruisers and where Keenan and his family still reside.

For centuries Finike was a trading port of the ancient Lycia and is believed to have been named after its founders, the Phoenicians, in the 5th century BC.

The area has been inhabited for much longer, though, evident by archaeological finds near the town of Elmali, indicating that the Teke Peninsula has been settled since 3000 BC, although, on the coast, nothing has been uncovered that dates before 2000 BC.

Apparently trade was first established here by the Persians, who then relinquished Lycia to the armies of Alexander the Great. It stayed vulnerable to forces from Syria, Egypt and Rhodes, until it was brought into the Ancient Roman Empire and the succeeding Byzantines. The “Battle of the Masts” between the Arabian and Byzantine fleets took place near Finike in 654, following which the area was lost to the Seljuk Turks, in the 13th century, who were then succeeded by the Ottoman Empire from 1426.

Today, the local economy depends on agriculture, specifically the oranges and other citrus fruits. It’s a quiet town, where many of the visitors are retired people in search of relaxation, which suits us perfectly!

The old town port is now the Setur Finike Marina, but it also has a small fishing fleet. We subsequently learnt that the unspoilt beaches we walked along a few days ago are an important nesting ground for the loggerhead sea turtles and the rocky parts of the coast are used by the rare Mediterranean monk seal. The rich marine life includes the local speciality fish called the red porgy, as well as grouper, sea bream, sea bass, swordfish and sardines. We’ve yet to have a good look around the fish market, but it’s definitely on our list of things to do.

Being a Saturday, it was also Market Day and, although his body was screaming at him after his hike yesterday, “this little piggy went to market” regardless and returned with his bountiful supply, including so many strawberries, we’ll be eating them until they’re coming out of our ears. Fortunately they’re sweet and juicy.

While Roy was out, Elaine finished uploading our latest videos; a four part series of our Indian Ocean and Red Sea passage. She also managed to get all our latest photographs uploaded to the Gallery.

Afterwards we took a stroll to a different café, Klass Pastanesi, for a coffee and baked delight. It was one we’d spotted on our wanderings, but hadn’t realised their specialty was Turkish pastries and, more importantly, baklava! Needless to say, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, but it was scrumptious nonetheless!

On our return to the marina, the Bon Voyage party was in full swing for the departure of Oz (Özlem and Ozkan), the friends of Kandiba (Zehra and Hasan) who had greeted us when we first arrived in Finike last week and who were setting off on their circumnavigation today. It was lovely to see family and friends gather to give them a wonderful send off; certainly brought back memories. We wish them fair winds, following seas and a fabulous adventure.

We also had another visit from our little friend, Albert, who belongs to one of our floating neighbours, but really enjoys spending time on Paw Paw. He’s definitely still angling to get inside and with a face like that, he could well succeed!

Our day ended in the best possible way; a video call to Keenan, Brooke and the grandchildren. It felt like we hadn’t “seen” the grandchildren or spoken to Brooke in months and indeed, it had been months. Regardless, everyone was very excited about our upcoming visit, especially William, who knew we’d be there for his birthday; only two years late on our promise, but better late than never! Can’t wait!