Highlights

Let me tell you about an inspiring trip on a sailboat. In fact, rather than just telling you about it, let me share the music I played along the way. And of course, let me conclude this article with a brand new playlist for this summer.

Kerem Akçaba, DJ

This is a journey that kicked off in Göcek with my friend and musician İskender Paydaş, who instilled in me a love of both the sea and music, and our group of friends. An 8-day adventure following the Rhodes, Symi and Kos route and ending in Bodrum. I also have a playlist that turned that journey into a music story.

The first song that comes with the wind the night before we set off is by Phil Collins, the favorite musician of İskender and me. Starting off like a calm and serene sea, the song greets us with a strong wind when we leave the bay where we take shelter.

Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight

https://open.spotify.com/track/18AXbzPzBS8Y3AkgSxzJPb?si=O0QUjFRXS2ipDpoo5g--GA

We are setting off from Göcek. I was acquainted with the sea, but my closeness with it was shaped on that journey we started in Göcek. We started a journey where the sound of the wind took place of the sound of the engine and the waves took place of time, among songs mixed with blue. Playing in the background as we left Göcek, Ocean Drive reminded us that a journey is not just about arriving somewhere, but an experience in itself, not just a route, but a state of mind.

Ocean Drive - Duke Dumont

https://open.spotify.com/track/0b6wdul3A5sQNpIOv03OxP?si=pX6TyQRUScStiUCmdtcreA

Our destination is the island of Rhodes. Our main topic of conversation as we sailed towards Rhodes was the language of the sea, which I was slowly beginning to decipher, along with the memories İskender had accumulated over the years. Come Together by The Beatles was accompanying us on the playlist we played together as the sun was setting.

The Beatles, John Lennon - Come Together (Remastered)

https://open.spotify.com/track/2EqlS6tkEnglzr7tkKAAYD?si=XlzPXavJSlqzoxTchiu4cg

Colorful Port: Symi. Waking up to the colorful pastel houses built on the hillsides around the narrow and inward-stretching port of Symi island, which we entered early in the morning with captain İskender, was a big surprise for me. It was fantastic to meet the island's friendly, warm and hospitable shopkeepers, especially towards Turks. Just like Stolen Dance.

Milky Chance - Stolen Dance

https://open.spotify.com/track/34xGLuxM0rkxhCVyMSqwJO?si=EzBCUoDtQ--HnnNGYXAjSQ

The sail of the wind: Kos. The wind whispered melodies on the island of Kos. My passion for music combined with sailing here and lifted my mood to the Wind of Change by the Scorpions. Then I rode around the island on a scooter to feel the wind and the beautiful smells of the island.

Scorpions - Wind of Change

https://open.spotify.com/track/5WSsTyBvMEFG3ac6JKb9gY?si=rgDFuRu3TFOsMxVSLtICdA

An Eisai Ena Asteri by Nikos Vertis sent us off to Türkiye from Greek territorial waters with its wonderful melody and exquisite vocal performance.

Nikos Vertis - An Eisai Ena Asteri

https://open.spotify.com/track/3i0h2qHuq1rVcmSZ0QRJiN?si=5dYPpvYqQ26cp8uWHTwtQQ

Point of Destination: Bodrum, Turgutreis Marina. We released a song into the wind every day for 8 days. When we arrived in Bodrum, on the shores of Turgutreis, we felt the joy of a new passion rather than the end of a journey. Our song at that moment was the acoustic version of Move, which took the world by storm with Keinemusik.

Cupido - Move

https://open.spotify.com/track/47MLcydmEyKAsnH0lVOEfU?si=vHuRfo-TS3Oxj78GnfUaNg

The emotions evoked by that journey have never gotten old. Now, with those emotions, I present to you a brand new list for this summer. It is time to party!