Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

May this year, we traveled to Istanbul, Turkey. It was special on three counts, it was our first international trip, we were celebrating our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and it was a family get together. We all were super excited and the preparations were on full swing; researching about the place, it’s culture, cuisine, places to visit and most important the weather forecast, everything was done. I packed clothes for hubby dearest, Puchki and myself accordingly and just a day before departure, hubby dearest felt that it would be warmer than the predicted forecast and removed some of his cardigans; I followed suit, which we regretted the moment we landed.

The flight to Istanbul was most memorable, we were booked on the airline, where I had previously worked for almost a decade. I connected with a close friend and asked if we could plan a surprise for my parents. Oh and the surprise turned out to be a grand mid-air celebration. It started with the crew members, making an in-flight announcement congratulating my parents, cake cutting and feasting on some of their delicious savory delights. I was extremely touched and emotional to see how meticulously they planned everything, decorated the aft galley, displayed the cart and served with so much love. Thank you ladies in blue, God Bless You!

On our way to the hotel, we were spell bound by the natural beauty, the flora and fauna, it was a sight to behold. All our exertion from lack of sleep and travel, vanished and the moment we reached Pera Palace hotel, a beautiful property, we just wanted to complete the check in formalities and step out to explore the city. Our brother, B, was the commanding officer of the group; in charge of the budget, planning the entire itinerary. All through the vacation, we reveled each moment, whereas he was on his toes, studying the map, engaging in long conversations with the hotel concierge, putting together the agenda for the day – places to visit, choosing the transport, restaurants to dine, deciding the menu etcetra.

B, made sure that the itinerary catered to the kids and adults alike, packed in a few surprises too, experiences, which we could not have had if he had not painstakingly planned it. In our 5 day trip, we saw the Gelata tower, enjoyed the walk through the Istiklal street and Gelata bridge, were awe- struck by the architectural marvel of Dolmabache and Topkapi Palaces, enjoyed the serenity of Hagia Sophia Mosque and so many things that the place had to offer. The yacht ride through the Bosphorus Sea and the evening at Çırağan Palace were the highlight of the trip.

When, we left from the city, we left with lovely memories, were touched by the warmth, hospitality and commonality of both cultures. And most important, the time we spent together as a family, the laughs we shared, the songs we sang, the quite walks we had holding each other’s hands, turns we took to carry exhausted Puchki back to the hotel, the impromptu dances with mee mee, endless selfies and videos we shot.

We need to make this a family tradition and do it more often!

B, let’s plan another holiday, this time we too shall help out and let you have some time off! What Say family!