A Magical Night on Dalyan River

Last night was one of those magical evenings that just leaves you with a smile long after it’s over. It started at around 5:30 pm when six of us – three couples, all close friends – hopped aboard a boat and set out from Dalyan, heading toward Lake Köyceğiz. The breeze was soft, the sun was gently sinking, and we all knew we were in for something special.

As we cruised along the river, the weather couldn’t have been better. The air was calm, not even a breeze—nothing moved, not a ripple. The famous Lycian rock tombs watched over us. I’ve seen them a hundred times, but they never get old – there’s just something so serene and timeless about them.

Everything was so peaceful, like the world had slowed down just for us.. When we reached a quiet spot near Sultaniye Springs, we anchored and jumped right into the lake. The water of Lake Köyceğiz felt amazing, warm and still, and we swam around for a while, laughing and soaking in the golden light of the setting sun.

Back on the boat, we lit the grill and got dinner going—chicken, fish, steak. The smell alone was enough to make us all hungry, and soon we were gathered around the table, plates full, glasses of rakı in hand. It wasn’t long before someone started singing, and one by one, we all joined in.

The sun dipped behind the mountains, and the sky turned that deep blue, with stars beginning to peek out. The night stayed completely still—no wind, no movement—just us, the water, and the soft sounds of our voices carrying over the lake. We ended up staying until 10 PM, eating, singing, and soaking in every minute.

On the way back, the moonlight lit up the water, and the whole world seemed to be at peace. No one wanted the night to end, but we knew this was one we’d never forget.

Song after song, we laughed, sang louder, and just had the best time. I remember looking around at my friends, the fading sunlight giving everything a soft, golden glow, and thinking how lucky we were to have nights like this.