Fisherman of Halikarnassos, how it all started…
Fisherman of Halikarnassos is regarded as responsible for transforming Bodrum from a sleepy fishing village to a global holiday destination, as well as popularizing the Turquoise Coast itself. Blue Cruise is the term used to describe a truly unique experience of cruising along the Aegean and Mediterranean coast of Turkey and is arguably the best way to spend your Holiday in Turkey. The Blue Cruise is the ultimate vacation as you sail along the beautiful coast of Turkey, while getting away from routines and exploring the many coves. Origin of the expression Blue Cruise or Blue Voyage has its own story.
The term was coined by Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (aka. Fisherman of Halikarnassos), the famed historian, translator and poet born 17 April 1886, in Crete – 13 October 1973, in İzmir). He is deeply associated with Bodrum where he started to live in 1925. He was sentenced to three years exile in Bodrum in 1925 for an article he wrote about army deserters. He became friends with the fishermen and sponge divers and loved to go with them on the fishing boats to the many bays and ancient places. However, when the authorities discovered that he was having the time of his life in Bodrum and punishment had become pleasure, he was sent back to Istanbul. Upon completion of his jail term, the fisherman came back to Bodrum in 1957 and spent the rest of his life there.
Under the alias “Fisherman of Halikarnassos”, he wrote many books, poems and articles on Gulf of Gökova, sponge divers and his life in Bodrum calling it “The Blue Exile”. Initially unpretentious voyages with a group of his artist, poet and writer friends; he called the journeys on the sea “The Blue Cruise”, which became a tradition in subsequent years.
