Today I feel like my soul has wandered all the way to Denizli, in Pamukkale, lazing around the salt-formed pools.
Pamukkale is in, if I imagine it carefully, the Western part of Turkey. It is in between Cappadochia and the Sea. Pamukkale is basically a whole huge hill formed by hardened salt, that formed natural pools which get filled in with natural water every morning by Nature.
We came by really early in the morning, being one of the first to arrive, and it was so fresh and so beautiful, we literally got the place to ourselves!
Which was why my friend Martina thought it will be okay to go inside this prohibited area, but she was caught out – so she walked sexily back to safety, with no sign of sheepish guilt at all! He he! This area is dangerous as it is placed dangerously close to the edge of the hill, and it has uneven bed – which should mean there is more grip for people to walk on but it is actually because it is easier for tourist to break it into pieces when the afternoon visits turn to stampede, up here in Pamukkale.
The Romans used to conquer Pamukkale, they used to come here in Summer to sunbathe ages ago. They ruled this part of town and enjoyed the beauty themselves. It is said that even Cleopatra once visited this place. Which is why they’ve got Cleopatra pool.
Ancient ruins in the pool.
The temple fell.
The Cleopatra pool is this huge swimming pool for the ancient rich people – the place where they clean and pray before going inside the temples. The best part oft his pool is, as you can see from the picture above, the ruins of a temple that fell into the pool during the Crusades area. Both Christian and Islam, who were both at war with each other, and both are against idolism destroyed these temples and even some figures.
Female statues.
They have especially paid special attention to female figurines – to avoid any idolism and any affection that may form towards these ancient stones. They amputated it but didn’t destroy it. I do wonder if it just deliberately done – to leave the beheaded and amputated statues for public eyes. Maybe it is also to instill fear? The Romans slowly pack their bags and leave Pamukkale to the hand of destiny – an eternal dominion of world power that is taking place until the end of time.
Apollo
If you feel like exploring the whole city of Pamukkale, it covers about 10km radius of the top of the hill and mighty tiring – you can see an old theatre, a whole stretch of ancient street beautifully built with archs and temples – really HUGE ones.
The main street where parades and main highway took place.
The theatre – to watch speeches, debates, performances and announcements.
The entrance to main street. A very grand entrance!
They don’t really add any commercial thing in this side of the city, and it is rather far from the main hyped-up centre of the ancient pools, so it is not crowded, and makes it REALLY GREAT. It felt like there is still some spirits breathing there. As I stand and walk past it, it feels like something is stirring, something ancient, waiting to be be freed again, waiting to roam the streets of Pamukkale and to touch the magnificient temples they had built with their bare hands. The city is surrounded by beautiful pine forest, and if you just take your time to sit on one of the huge ancient rocks, and just listen – you can hear whispers in the forest. The trees that has seen all sort of man with all kind of trades walking past, from the ancient faces of the Romans and Egyptians, to the sworded Crusaders and bearded Muslim warriors and now this little South-East Asian girl – probably not a face they have been used to.
The famous ‘cotton castle’ as the Romans fondly called them
The Romans had loved this place as they believed it is holy and pure – so white with clear water running through them every morning. They believe in its healing property and thus take great care of the ritual of bathing in these pools. The picture above is the ‘cotton castle’. It is actually on the steep hill of Pamukkale, dangerously dangling. People used to be able to swim there, but now you cant even go there.
The clear morning water of Pamukkale
The water tasted sweet and clear if you taste it in the morning, if you come in the afternoon the water would be dried up and dirty with lots of people’s dirt in it. We went back to the main pool area in the afternoon and the place was SWARMING with tourists like a public beach! I decided not to put up picture of the swarmed place because it is unsightly. I’d rather remember Pamukkale for its tranquility and beauty.
It is amazing how the water and salt mud dont mix – they form very fine powder and settle onto the bed if you try to mix it – making the water white for awhile like above. People come here and take the mud to put it on their face – natural beauty spa. it was cooling to me, so it was rather fun making face pate in the middle of the sun.
The way to get there is to take any bus from any major cities in Turkey to Denizli. From Denizli, just take any local taxi, dolmus or bus to Pamukkale. It is only about 10 – 15 minutes to the foot of Pamukkale hill and it is cheap. I suggest only a one day trip. It is enough. Just come early in the morning at 8, then chill and have breakfast and freshen up at any hotel (they usually allow guests to keep bags and refresh themselves without checking in to a room) before taking the hike up Pamukkale at 10am – when it opens. The entrance fee is 20lira. Thats about 10 pounds. If you want to take a dip in Cleopatra pool – it would be an extra 18lira. Dang!~
Something amazing sometimes come unexpected 
Tags: travelling, turkish summer
River that flows from inside the cave.
Polona and me. Picture by Feera.
Formed from water sliding sideways.
Postonjska Jama.
The pink and blind Protose.
Grafitti from 2 centuries ago.
