One
of the most tantalizing experiences imaginable is to visit a Turkish rose
distillery while it is in full production. The heavenly smell of Rosa Damascia
petals - hand picked before dawn - fills the air. We see them by the tonne,
arranged in fermenting rooms and being loaded into huge copper stills before
being transformed into pure rose essential oil.
The fruit of all of this labour is a pale yellowish oil with a heavenly aroma,
which is carefully decanted into waiting flacons. To experience first hand
the distillation of this most exquisite treasure of nature is a total feast
for the senses.
The water that exits the stills is saturated with a rich rose fragrance, some
of which is retained as finest rose water. What an irony it is to see 1000's
of litres of this
glorious warm rose water flowing past in a viaduct with bees searching in
vain for the flowers their instinct tells them must be there. Close by one
of the distilleries we visit, is a small town to which the viaduct flows,
transporting the warm and fragrant water. Just perfect for a ultimate indulgence,
a luxurious warm rose water bath or shower - I don't even think Cleopatra
( who used to frolic with Mark Anthony on the Turquoise coast near where we
will journey ) could conceive of a more decadent experience
