Play. Pause. Rewind. Forward. Tune in to thyself as you spend some time at BAYOU Villas by Barut Hotels
Perhaps.
There is too much focus on elevator dings, mobile beeps and Zoom calls
That soon, we will all forget what it means to listen
We go about our lives making conversations with strangers, acquaintances and loved ones. Now, conversations are beautiful if they're earnest. And by earnestness, I don't mean purity or honesty of the subject matter. I am talking of sincerity to hear. As I look around, I see everybody is talking but nobody is listening.
Pay attention, when did we stop listening or started talking over each other?
Vocabulary alert: The dictionary has a word for this emotion that we are now feeling, but failing to express. It's called ANECDOCHE, A conversation in which everyone is talking, but nobody is listening. For me, anecdoche is the word that best describes the times we are in.
As for what is slowly happening to us as we stop listening, I am afraid to find out.
Fortunately, I got a chance to travel with strangers in April 2023, and I discovered what healing can feel like. And also, why travelling with strangers is a great idea. I had some earnest conversations and I'd not trade that with anything.
(Above Location: Tirmis A'la Carte Restaurant also serves within Lara Barut Collection. The restaurant, named after a kind of salubrious legume unique to Antalya)
For two nights, I stayed at a three-bedroom villa; BAYOU Villas, where each of us is invited to ‘step into a private life’ and a vacation experience of international standards, with every detail thought through exclusively in line with their approach: 'Belong To You'.
Missed how it all started? Head here. The five senses (and more) experience at Antalya Turkey.
It’s not hard to be in touch with the sound of your breath, so say the meditation and yoga gurus. You just need to pay attention, one breath at a time. And that’s what I focused on as I sat through the one-hour Audio Therapy session at the Yoga Hall. Conducted by the skilled and talented Çağrı Adem this was my journey into how various rhythms, beats, melodies, dings, chimes and more can aid in connecting one with thyself; to wake up feeling calmer and relaxed. It was the beautiful, serene singing by Çağrı Adem that only enhanced the experience.
Of course, the ambience of extreme calmness in your surroundings is an impression you are going to take home with you. Waking up in the three-bedroom villa with an infinity pool and a private heated seawater pool and the chirping of birds coming from trees (not an app) was just what the soul craved. Plus, a couple of minutes from the comfort of your villa and you’d be tuning in to the softest sounds of the beach waves. If you like it louder, then take a moment to watch the extremely excited kids and adults indulging in the in-house water slides at the property.
P.S: The sound meditation with Tibetan bowls and healing instruments session is a must-try.. When at the property, you could request the staff to book you for one. You will be glad you did.
Wish for more melody? As my travel companions and I attended the Tufting Workshop (more on that, later), we were fortunate to have a violin and piano recital in the backdrop. Also, a few of the villas have a piano in place, if you're good with the keys, you may try your hand.
If you can tempt yourself to leave the Villa behind and be in the city for a while, then chase the waterfall! The Lower Duden Waterfall falls over 130 feet into the blue Mediterranean Sea and is wild, beautiful, and free, the burble (sound of a waterfall) will teach you to adopt the pace of nature.
Perhaps,
Then, I will leave the home behind for a few days
And, I will hear wind chimes, Tibetan bowls, beach waves, and happy shrieks.
(There is something magical about meeting strangers and having conversations with them over pleasing cocktails with rosehip and tiny sips of Wasabi-hued gins)
Perhaps,
Then, I will leave the city sounds behind
And, I will take a moment to take a dip in the pool
Perhaps,
Then, I will wonder once again what is it that my heart likes
The routine sound of the alarm clock or the laughter of a friend I just made
Perhaps.
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Are you ready to explore the five senses at BAYOU Villas and embrace it all?
Come back to this space:
Next up, we discover the sense of SMELLING: Whiffs. Inhale. Exhale.
SMELL: Crafting candles, absorbing delectable whiffs, et al.
Disclaimer: Sayers and philosophers often ask us to stop and smell the flowers. Little do they know that our lives are jammed up with tricky deadlines, urgent presentations, must-attend parents-teachers meets, sudden electricity failures, uninvited dinner guests, etcetera. And hence they suggest we include travelling as a mandatory activity in our schedules to not just smell the flowers but also do a lot more that our busy routines
don’t leave us time for. They remind us to pack our bags and drive down to a nearby place, hop on to a bus for a weekend trip, board a train for a lovely ride or fly down to a gorgeous destination. This is a place where we relive some ordinary moments away from home. Yes, travelling does a lot more than transporting us to a different location; it revamps and refreshes our day with activities and moments that routine lives keep us away from.
Missed how it all started?
How to reach: I took a flight from Dubai to Istanbul (four hours plus, Turkish Airways), followed by a connecting flight via the same carrier to Antalya (one hour plus).
Located in close vicinity to the airport in Antalya, BAYOU Villas hosts its guests in 24 private villas in an area of 25 thousand m2. Barut Hotels: Started to operate in Side, Antalya in 1971, Barut Hotels proceeded on its way with 8 hotels, including the new project soon to be brought to life, and continues to grow rapidly. Thanks to customized and privileged services in gastronomy, art, sports, nature and wellness, it offers its guests a private space, where they can feel good, enjoy different tastes, and start the new day with fresh energy.
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