Alanya, Turkey, 2006
Let me take you on a journey to a place where the aroma of exotic spices mingles with the salty sea breeze, where sun-kissed waves dance upon the shore that was once the haven of an Egyptian queen. Welcome, my dear reader, to Alanya, Turkey, a city that welcomed me with open arms and left an indelible imprint on my soul.
My rendezvous with Alanya began on an unusually sunny day. I arrived weary from my journey from Antalya, but the sight of the cityscape washed away my fatigue. Nestled like a hidden jewel on Turkey’s southern coast, Alanya was draped in a picturesque beauty that was akin to a painter’s perfect canvas.
The very next day, I found myself on Cleopatra Beach, the crown jewel of Alanya, named after the Egyptian queen herself, who was said to have bathed in its azure waters. The sand beneath my feet was warm, a stark contrast to the cool Mediterranean waters lapping gently at my feet.
My skin tingled as I basked in the sun’s golden rays, the salty breeze carrying stories of ancient times and whispered tales of Pharaohs and Sultans. The soft murmur of the waves became a melodious symphony, lulling me into a tranquil stupor.
As the sun lazily dipped behind the Taurus Mountains, I found myself pampered by the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Dining in Alanya was an experience of its own. I savoured the traditional Alanya Övelemc Soup, rich in spices that exploded in a symphony of flavours and were complemented by the sweet undertones of homemade Turkish Delight. My taste buds embarked on a journey of their own as I immersed myself in the city’s rich culinary culture, feeling more connected to its roots with every bite.
My final day in Alanya was marked by tranquillity. I reclined on Cleopatra Beach, soaking in the serene ambience. The sun was shining brighter, or perhaps it was the melancholy of leaving that made it seem so. I swam in the turquoise waters one last time, reminiscing about the unforgettable moments spent in this Turkish paradise.
As the sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and fading pink, I thanked the city for its hospitality. Farewells are a bitter pill to swallow, and as I bid goodbye to this enchanting city and its beautiful beach, I took with me memories etched in the sands of Cleopatra’s beach, in the flavours of Turkish cuisine, and in the smiles of the city’s warm-hearted people.
As I left Alanya, the city and Cleopatra Beach behind, I realized that travel not only broadens one’s perspective but also cements memories that become a part of you. The memory of Alanya, the beautiful Cleopatra beach, and the exquisite Turkish cuisine remained like a beautiful painting, vibrant and vivid in my mind.
Alanya, with its enchanting beauty, had gifted me an experience that was profoundly soul-stirring. And as I journeyed back to Antalya, it left me wondering – who knew that the waves of a beach, named after an ancient queen, held such power to seep into one’s being and unfurl a world of serenity and inspiration within? Alanya was not just a city I visited but a story that unfolded itself, chapter by chapter, each more captivating than the last.
