SimplyAbuDhabi X

T he small port city of Bodrum, in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey, is a renowned historical destination. The city boasts the Mausoleum of Mausolus at Halicarnassus, which along with the Pyramids, is all that’s left of the SevenWonders of the Ancient World. There is also the Castle of St. Peter, a beautiful monument still standing after more than 600 years of fascinating history and giving jaw-dropping views across the crystalline blue sea. With 5000 years of cultural heritage, Bodrum has appealed to countless admirers across the centuries, from Herodotus the Greek historian – and arguably the world’s first travel writer – who was a native from 484-420 BC, through to many more writers and artists who came in the 1950s when the city became a hub for intellectuals. Together with the ancient attractions and notable residents, Bodrum has also gained a strong reputation in recent years as a luxury getaway, with unspoiled beaches and pristine waters to be enjoyed in the beautiful Mediterranean climate. And so it was with pleasure that I accepted an invitation from Astaş Holding to visit a brand new hotel and residential development on Cennet Bay that is to be operated by the Mandarin Oriental Group. With all the arrangements deftly taken care of by the lovely people at Toh PR in Dubai, I found myself in a comfortable business class seat looking forward to seeing this picturesque part of the world. The gentleman next to me was instantly polite and thoughtful, moving his pillow from the central armrest just in case it was encroaching on my seat. It wasn’t, but it indicated his friendly consideration. We started chatting right away and, in one of those all too rare events, we didn’t stop talking the entire time. The four-hour flight was over in what seemed less than half that time. As fate would have it, we were both heading to the newMandarin Oriental residences and would both be staying as guests of Astaş Holding in the same villa. So it was a good job that we hit it off really. This new friend was none other than Arnie Hira, Founder and Publisher of Simply Abu Dhabi. 2 2 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I