2025 Volendam, Kusadasi, Turkey...

Off the ship early to tour a new part of Turkey, Pamukkale & Hierapolis. We had the pleasure of the company of our longtime friends Ginny and Rich Lyle touring with us today. We left Kusadasi and headed to Pamukkale. Our Turkish friend Mustapha recommended we visit Pamukkale a couple of years ago and we finally got the chance... After 2.5 hours’ drive we arrived at our destination with no idea of what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised! Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, literally looks like a cotton castle. Formed by a calcium carbonate mineral left by the flowing water with a series of white travertine terraced pools nestled into the hillside. A UNESCO World Heritage site Pamukkale is a surreal natural wonder set among green farming cotton fields. We braved the elements and walked in the pools….the water was warm and a bit sensitive on the feet but the sharp edges kept you from falling (ableit a bit painful). At the top of Pamukkale is the incredible ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, chosen to sit atop the “cotton castle” with an abundance of hot springs. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. We toured the Hierapolis Museum housed in the former Roman Baths building…the museum contained sarcophagus and small finds from dishes to jewelry as well as an open-air museum with various artifacts. Hierapolis has a well-preserved theater, various temples and monuments, and a large necropolis area. We had a wonderful experience today at Pamukkale and Hierapolis to be able witness this stunning blend of history and nature. A big thank you to our driver and guide Taylan for their excellent service, knowledge and our delicious lunch. It was such a special day to be able to share it with Ginni & Rich…