DAY 10 - A Castle Made of Cotton?

March 29 - Pamukkale "Cotton Castle"

Pamukkale, which has been used as a spa since the second century BC, literally means "cotton castle" in Turkish. It's a most popular tourist attraction in southwestern Turkey. The travertine features have their origins in the shifting of a fault in the valley of the Menderes river. As the fault shifted, very hot springs with a very high mineral content (notably chalk) arose at this location. Apart from the slightly radioactive minerals, the calcium and hydrogen carbonate react to create calcium carbonate (also known as travertine) and limestone. This is what gives Pamukkale its whiteness and created the pools.

Starting the walk up to the "cotton castle"

No shoes allowed on the chalky cascades!

The climate is temperate most of the year.  The ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2,700 metres (8,860 ft) long, 600 m (1,970 ft) wide and 160 m (525 ft) high. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years.

There are 17 hot water springs in which the temperature ranges from 35 °C (95 °F) to 100 °C (212 °F)

Looks like snow, doesn't it?

Gorgeous white-capped mountains in the background.

This guy was having fun sitting in the water coming down the duct.

Guess we should have brought our swim suits - good for the skin!

We spent the whole day here.  It was such fun wading through the warm water.









Then we went to the historic town of Hierapolis. The great baths were constructed with huge stone blocks without the use of cement, and consisted of various closed or open sections linked together.  The complex was built in the 2nd century BC.

Aqua ducts between each village home

On our way down....next stop - Denizli

Arif and his wife, Rabia were our hosts in Denizli

Arif picked us up from Pamukkale and took us to his home.  Rabia is a School Counselor and also an artist.  Their home is very well decorated and she is expecting their first baby boy! Rabia had cooked us a beautiful Turkish dinner with baked pumpkin for dessert.  It was delicious!  Rabia is an English teacher and speaks good English.  Rabia is learning English.  We very much enjoyed our quick stay of only one night with them.  Good luck to both of them on being parents soon!