The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and pink as we awoke to the gentle rocking of Larin Su. Breakfast was a sumptuous affair, a feast for the senses. Despite the early hour, the spread was nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to the culinary talents of our chef, Yakob (I think that’s how his name is spelled).
After breakfast, our bags were loaded into the waiting vans, and we gathered for a group photo shoot. Ben, ever the photographer, captured our final moments together. Rachel, with her keen eye for detail, snapped another shot, ensuring that our memories were preserved in a variety of frames.
The journey to Dalaman Airport was a pleasant one, a final glimpse of the Aegean countryside. Our flight to Istanbul was smooth and uneventful, a welcome respite from the adventures of the past week. At the airport, we said goodbye to Ben, Rachel, and the others who were staying at a different hotel. The ten of us who were staying at the same hotel continued on as a group.
Yit Peng, ever the meticulous planner, had arranged a van for our group of ten. A minor oversight caused a brief delay, but we soon found ourselves on our way to DeCamondo Pera hotel.
After a brief rest, Yit Peng and I ventured out to explore the vibrant city of Istanbul. The familiar sights and sounds evoked memories of our previous visit in 2022. The city seemed to have an uncanny ability to transport us back in time.
I indulged in one of my favorite Turkish treats, a banana split from Mado. The flavors were a delightful departure from the familiar offerings back home, a reminder of the unique culinary traditions of this ancient land.
The evening was spent at Pera Antakya, a charming restaurant known for its wood-fired cuisine. The meal was a fitting conclusion to this part of our journey, a celebration of the flavors and friendships we had cultivated during our time in Turkey.
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