Carpe Diem 1

The Turkish Gulet Carpe Diem 1 available for crewed yacht charter along the southern Turkish coast, we feel, here at Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters, is a great choice for a crewed yacht charter on a Gulet in Turkey.  As they say…”when in Rome”, and the same is true in Turkey, as when cruising along the southern Turkish Coast, once the ancient trading route of Turkey, try a Turkish Gulet for a crewed yacht charter.  The Turkish Gulet is built new along the lines of the traditional vessels that once plied this coast.  However now the Gulet is finished with on board luxuries for a comfortable crewed yacht charter in a traditional Turkish style.

Carpe Diem 1

Carpe Diem 1 at 102 feet, offers 4 guest staterooms, each with an ensuite bath.  With a master stateroom, with a double bed, another stateroom with a double bed and two staterooms, each with two single beds, a variety of charter groups can be comfortably ensconced on board.  And there are 4 crew as well to attend to every need.  At Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters, we feel that the pricing for a week charter on board Carpe Diem 1 is a great value and we have always had outstanding charters on board and are happy to offer this Gulet for crewed yacht charter along the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. 

Carpe Diem 1

Specifications:

Silolona

At 164’, the charter yacht Silolona, built along the traditional lines of an Indonesian sailing Phinisi, is available for crewed yacht charter through Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters. Silolona makes a statement in any waters, particularly in their homeland yacht charter waters of Indonesia, and yacht charter areas of Myanmar and the Andaman Islands.  Imagine setting sail on your charter yacht with 17 Indonesian crew, with the call to sail heralded by a conch shell trumpet, while the crew climb through the rigging wearing sarongs and head pieces from their native villages with the setting sun waning on the red sails of Silolona.  This is part of daily crewed yacht charter life on board the charter yacht Silolona. 

Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters sailed on board Silolona in the Komodo Archipelago on the western side of the Indonesian island of Flores, home of the infamous Komodo Dragon.  On boarding, we were greeted by two crew members, one with a tray of tall cool drinks of fruit juice freshly squeezed from local fruits and the other with a tray of cool refreshing wash cloths steeped in essence of lemon grass.  We found after boarding that this was a standard greeting, not just for an initial welcome, but for almost every time we returned to the yacht after the beach, after snorkeling, after hiking, or any day time activity to help refresh from the warm sun. 

Cerimonial Dinner Onboard

Table Set Up

Silolona has 5 guest staterooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, and each bath is outfitted with local handmade soaps and bath products.  There is one slightly larger master stateroom with a king sized bed and a single bed, two other staterooms with a king sized bed and a single bed, and two staterooms with a queen sized bed and a single bed. Thus with so many sleeping options, Silolona can accommodate a wide variety of groups, with any number of accommodation needs.  Silolona is fully air conditioned throughout the interior for sleeping comfort in any temperature. 

In the main salon is an interior dining table, however most meals are served on deck either under the stars or under the sun awning.  Awake and emerge for breakfast to be greeted by the stewards who, after day one, learn your morning drink of choice, which appears momentarily after you do.  Fresh baked croissants with homemade jams and fresh fruit wait each morning on deck for early risers.  A full breakfast can be ordered from the ala carte menu according to your whim.  All menus are customized to the advance requests of the charterer, and the food is outstanding, with a wide range of cuisines served on board including Indonesian spicy sambas, Indian, nouvelle cuisine, and Thai, for a constant taste bud delight.  And fresh fish is always featured and is immediately served as sushi within minutes of being caught, with all of the sushi trimmings. 

Fresh Caught Tuna

With 17 crew, service on board Silolona is top notch, and the activity options are never ending.  There are two large guest tenders, and one smaller crew tender, so guests have a full choice of activities.  With two guest tenders, and 17 crew, at the same time, one group of guests can be taken scuba diving with the on board Dive Instructor, Goris, while another group of guests can be taken to the beach to relax on beach towels under umbrellas, with cool drinks in a beach oasis created by the crew, and enjoy swimming, sunning, snorkeling, shelling, or even beach spa treatments sent ashore.  When Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters was on board, we were sent ashore with spa treatment ingredients such as fresh grated coconut and sea salt to be used as a full body exfoliant, washed off after with a refreshing swim, followed by green tea. 

Visiting local villages in any of the Silolona yacht charter areas is always a treat and the locals are very welcoming, as it can be rare, depending on the charter location, for locals to ever see and greet new visitors.  And here, within the villages, is a glimpse into another way of life and is a unique opportunity to experience remote cultures and civilizations.  How often can one visit a Moken Sea Gypsy enclave, if not when on board Silolona on yacht charter in Myanmar? 

Komodo National Park

Komodo Dragon

A charter on board Silolona is a 5 star experience, but also a grand adventure into a unique and very different world of marine and underwater beauty, vast beaches, and a firsthand view of remote and out of the ordinary cultures and civilizations, all the while carefully tended by your 17 Indonesian crew providing not only great service, but their own local insider knowledge of life in these charter waters. 

Specifications 

Description: 

SILOLONA can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins.
The Master cabin has a king size bed, a single bed, shower and toilet.
2 Guest cabins have a king size bed, a single bed, shower and toilet.
2 Guest cabins have a queen size bed, a single bed, shower and toilet.
SILOLONA  is fully air conditioned through out.  The voltage onboard is 220 V volts 

Amenities: 

Cell Phone, WiFi / Internet, SATCOM, DVD Library, CD Library, DVD, Stereo, 16ft  RIB 85 HP, 16ft  RIB 85 HP, Towing Ring, Kneeboard, Wakeboard, 5×2-man Kayak(s), Fishing Equipment, Waterskis (adult), Waterskis (child), Deck Shower, BBQ, Swim Platform,
3rd Tender, 

Diving: 

Insured, Certified Instructor onboard, Padi Instructor certification, Diving from yacht – guest must be certified, Diving from yacht – instruction provided for non certified guests, 2 Compressors, 12 Tanks, 12 BCs, 12 Regulators, Diving Lights, Snorkelling.
Diving is included except for courses and certfication. 

Silolona

Queen of Datca

Just launched, Queen of Datca, a luxury Gulet available for crewed yacht charter, was premiered at the Marmaris Yacht Charter Festival in May 2010, and Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters was on board and thrilled with both the Gulet for luxury crewed yacht charter, and of course, the crew. Queen of Datca a 115’ charter Gulet, has 5 very comfortable guest staterooms for a total of 10 guests, all with ensuite bath. Queen of Datca, is one of the latest launches of the new luxury level Gulets available for crewed yacht charter, now being built along the Turkish coast. Built out of mahogany, the interior gleams with beautiful varnished woodwork throughout and is extremely spacious inside. The exterior living area correspondingly is extremely spacious as well, with outdoor dining and the lovely large sun pad area on the stern for relaxing that is part of every crewed charter Gulet experience. Here at Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters, we highly recommend this luxury crewed Gulet available for charter with the crew ably lead by Captain Hakan, for your next crewed yacht charter along the Turkish coast.

Saloon

On board there are two master staterooms, each with a king size bed, one double bed stateroom with a queen size bed and two staterooms with two twin beds each. All staterooms have a full luxury bathroom with electric flush toilets and large showers finished in tile and stone. Quality sheets, towels and bath products round out this luxury Gulet with interior nautical style décor in navy blue and white ala Ralph Lauren. The main salon is very comfortable with two white duck slip covered club chairs along with an interior dining area. And as always on a Gulet, there is a large exterior on deck dining table for on deck dining either under the sun protection or under the stars at night. Across the stern covered in inviting terry cloth are the large sun pads for relaxing for an afternoon nap after a lovely lunch and sun pads are again available on the cabin housing forward for ample sunning area.

Master Cabin

While on board, we were served the famous Turkish dish of fresh fish baked encrusted in a layer of sea salt by the very able young chef on board, which was presented with the normal flourish of the full salt encrusted baked fish brought to the table and “cracked” out of the salt casing to reveal a lovely moist and delicate fresh baked fish.

Aft Deck

Guest Cabin

There are a total of 6 crew including Captain Hakan, a private Chef, engineer, and 3 stewardesses/mates on board to provide full service during your luxury charter. Please inquire with us, Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter for more information and pricing on this lovely crewed charter Gulet. And be sure to include Datca on your charter itinerary to cruise into this little village along the southern coast of Turkey on the “the Queen”.

Queen of Datca

Queen of Datca Specifications:

Yacht Name: QUEEN OF DATCA
Total Number of Cabins 5
Type Motor Sailor
Total Guests (Sleeping) 10
LOA 36 mt
Number of Master Cabins 2
Beam 8 mt
Number of Double Cabins 1
Draft 4,5 mt
Number of Twin Cabins 2
Year Build 2009
Number of Triple Cabins 0
Number of King Beds (180+) 2
Builder Yener
Number of Queen Beds (160-180) 1
Hull Construction Wood
Number of Single Beds 4
Number of Convertible Beds 0
Rig Schooner Number of Pullman Beds 0

Accommodation Description
2 Master Cabins
2 Twin Cabins
1 Double cabin
Flag Malta AC Run All Night Select
Port of Registry Valetta
Wi-Fi Connection on Board Yes
Engines & Generators
MAN 2 times 400 HP and Kophler 35 KVA

Tender & Toys
joker boat with 100 HP Yamaha
Water ski
Sea Kayaks
Snorkeling gear
Fuel consumption 50 litres/hr

On board Entertainment
Sonos system
Databank of 1000 CD en 800 DVD
Each cabin and salon has own remote control.

We are presently on board Mare Nostrum, cruising along the southern coast of Turkey from Marmaris to Bodrum. We have on board with us Kim Kavin, of Charterwave, who is on board to write an article about Mare Nostrum and chartering in Turkey for a prominent yachting magazine. We just finished our first day of cruising out of Marmaris and are anchored in a lovely little cove called Serce Limani. Mare Nostrum at 44 meters, and just launched last year, is one of the great new Gulets available for charter along the southern coast of Turkey that we feel is representative of what a top level luxury Gulet offers today. Even now as I write, I am connected to the on board wireless, which is offered free of charge, while sitting in Serce Limani, far away from everything, except clear blue waters, and the Turkish countryside.

Jacuzzi

Accomodations

Mare Nostrum is comfortable for a total of 12 guests in 6 guest staterooms, all with ensuite bath. Mare Nostrum is one of the few luxury Gulets with 6 guest staterooms, and each of the staterooms are equal in size so there is no dominant master stateroom, which is perfect for charterers who are sharing the cost. The Gulet is built in various types of mahogany, with very nice inlays of little woods throughout. There are 5 guest staterooms with double beds and one guest stateroom with two singles. The linens and bath products rival any luxury charter yacht in any other worldwide location. The baths are modern, each with two raised bowl sinks, marble tiled floor and a shower with numerous spray nozzles.

Master Bath

Mare Nostrum charters for euro 45,000/week for 12 guests. This price includes the 18% Turkish VAT, find gourmet dining, all domestic beverages, wines and beer, and all fuel for the main engines and generators. In addition is fuel for the water toys and tender, non domestic alcoholic beverages requested, and fees for private marinas, if requested by the Charterer, as town quays and anchoring is free. A crew gratuity is also customarily left at the end of the charter.

We are in Marmaris Turkey this week for the Marmaris Yacht Charter Festival and have been very impressed with the quality of the latest launched Gulets. The improvement is fantastic. The Owners have been listening to us Charter Brokers and are building Gulets that will give sailing and motor yachts true competition, and yet the Gulets are still a great pricing value. Now there are Gulet choices starting at Euro 9,000/week plus VAT and expenses for 6 guests up to euro 42,000/week inclusive of expenses for 10 guests that are well worth considering for a charter along the Turkish Coast.

80% of the yachts that are part of this Marmaris Yacht Charter Festival are new to the charter market place. For the Gulets that are new to the charter market place, either these Gulets were just built, or have been in private use and are now being made available for charter. We are seeing Gulets with wireless internet available throughout the yacht with a GSM cellular connection, which means that the signal is reliant on a GSM signal, however this signal is strong off of the coast of Turkey. And the internet use is free, included in the charter cost. Free wireless internet connection is not offered anywhere else in charter, that we are aware of, in other worldwide locations, so this is a true step up for the Turkish Gulet

The new Gulets are being built out of mahogany, rather than Turkish pine, with beautiful interior woodwork. Modern bathrooms, with separate dry showers and raised bowl sinks are now a common feature. And the crew have become more professional each year. Many of the larger Gulets also have at least one female in the crew for interior service. We were pleased to see some of our favorite Turkish crew members on the various new Gulets.

This is a whole new charter product that we are very pleased to offer in a very competitive pricing range in a great charter location.

Silolona is one of the few yachts that has worked out clearance into Myanmar (ex Burma) to charter the Mergui Archipelago. This area has been closed in general since after World War II until about 10 years ago, when diving companies began to gain entrance along the coast for diving trips in the pristine coral gardens in these waters. Virtually untouched, there are fabulous diving and snorkeling spots, wide beautiful white coral sand beaches, filled with huge shells. Most of the islands are uninhabited, however there are a few villages, and of course, the Moken Sea Gypsies.

Komodo Island

The Komodo Archipelago was different than expected. Having flown into Bali, where the vegatation is lush and tropical, arrival in the Komodo Archipelago found a dryer landscape. It was similar to the Mexican Baja Peninnsula, with beautiful rock formations, striated with mineral layers suggesting copper and iron ores, amongst several, probably embedded in the rock.

The beaches were white coral sand, littered with many shells, including large shells and large clam shells, coveted in other locations. Underwater, snorkeling was excellent, with the neon blue violet clam mouths undulating in the live clams as they syphoned algea for survival.

In the afternoon, we took a dinghy ride, visited an Indonesian fisherman in his dugout canoe, fishing to support his 9 daughters. In Indonesia the fisherman dress is the sarong, however, when approached by visitors, the polite thing to do is dress in pants, a shirt and hat and bow. Our fisherman quickly changed, bowed, and chatted with us, with his line over the side.

We then visited a local pearl operation. There are many pearl farms in this area, this farm was just starting. Several in the group went diving, with great reports after, and several went swimming and snorkeling. In the evening, it was off to fish again, with the prize a large tuna, quickly made into sashimi, and the local coconut milk raw fish salad.

Fresh Caught Tuna

(a picture of the fresh sashimi served for dinner can be veiwed in the previous post)

Visit Northrop and Johnson’s Website

Breakfast Spread and Table Setting

After breakfast, we went into the local Komodo village to visit. Permission had to be asked of the Elder to visit, as the Elder is responsible for all in his village, incluidng us while visiting. The children, gathered around, all wanting their picture taken. We had washable felt tipped pens and drew “tattoos” on them all, culminating in a group song sung for us, led by Nasir the Chief Carpenter on board Silolona and builder of Silolona.

“Poppa” invited us into his home and we visited sitting on the mats placed out for visitors. The typical home was up on stilts in case of Tsunami. The area under the house, in the shade, is used for daily work and home to the household animals. Up inside the house, accessed by steps onto a porch and into the main room, is a seating and living area, with sleeping areas partitioned off in the back, along with the kitchen. The kitchen had a raised wood burning fire pit, on which the main cooking is done.

Industry in the village, consisted mainly of carving beautiful replicas of Komodo Dragons in various sizes and poses, out of the local woods to sell at the Ranger Station at the National Park. Villagers also use various pearls in the area to string into necklaces, and, of course, some fish and dry fish. “Poppa” showed us his carved Dragons and the tools he used to carve with, which were all hand made. Return from the village was arranged by the villagers, who ferried us out to our tender by small dugout canoe.

I returned to Silolona for a deep tissue massage on the aft deck by Musri, who is also a ship carpenter and guest tender driver. Musri is a talented masseuse, who used local oils and with herbs and spices in his massage.

As darkness fell, we headed for “cocktail hour” in the tenders to watch the fruit bats take off for their night time hunting. Chef Bobby packed us picnic baskets with appetizers and a full selection of cocktail choices as we cruised to a mangrove cay off of the island. As dusk fell, hundreds of fruit bats with the little fox like faces, started to stir and circle. As the sun set, they whirled together in a great cloud and took off, toasted by us with our cocktails, as they set off for another night of hunting.

We then returned to an excellent dinner on board under the stars.

Read about the next day’s adventures ]]> http://www.njcharters.com/nj_charters_blog/2008/09/silolona-cruise-komodo-archipelago.html/feed 1