Aegean Region: Kusadasi-Pamukkale, Turkey

We checked into the Pine Bay Hotel the night after stopping at Anatolia Taste, the Turkish Delights shop. After putting the luggages in the room, we went to have our dinner at the OMG huge dining room. The buffet spread was in another section separated by doors and our table was far down at the back, I was afraid I might spilled the food on the way. I posted a number of pictures about the hotel because I had never been in a hotel with a very big dining area before. It seemed that the hotels we stayed the nights could accommodate many, many guests with the exception of the boutique hotel in Coppadocia. Below is the beautiful view behind the hotel. Pine Bay is located on the shore of Aegean Sea. I didnt know this until I saw the pictures in the camera. Heck, I missed it!

 Rooms are spacious and it was for just the two of us. Thanks to Parlo Travel.

Here was where they served the many varieties of olives and cheeses.

 Three tier restaurant. See how big the hotel is?

This olive tree is planted at the front side of the hotel.

As usual, we had our breakfast at the hotel before visiting a leather house which presented their high quality collections in the traditional catwalk show. The products were too expensive for us to splurge our money on and we made our fast exit. Ha, ha, ha. 

 I could not exactly remember the price tag but I can buy a big car with it. Anyway, we gave a few claps to our Sikh couple who bought a beautiful leather jacket modeled earlier. 

The next destination was Meryem Ana Evi (House of Virgin Mary/Maryam) on Mount Koressos in Selcuk, where it was said, Mary had spent her last days.

Entering the House of Mary (Maryam). Tourists observed silence and were requested to wear proper dressing in it.

Sideview of the house.

The spring water was said to come from the running water which used to flow like a canal in the room where Virgin Mary had slept or rested.

At the base of the mountain, is Ephesus, one of the most outstanding archaeological sites and once the most important commercial center of Western Anatolia (below)

 Mr Ugur was telling us about the ruins but frankly speaking I couldn't remember much of it and I didn't do any homework such as reading about it. Turkey has a lot of this around the country, being the center of all big empires. These historical attractions really draw in a lot of tourism money into the country just like Greece. I could see that from the large number of tourists visiting these areas.

The remains of the library stand tall in the background

We had our lunch at Aziziye restaurant in Kusadasi and usually we were given about half an hour to relieve ourselves, performed solat (for the muslims) and did a little shopping at each stopover.

One of the things I observed throughout the journey from the Aegean region to the Central Anatolia region was the changes in landscape form and vegetations. 

evergreen vegetation in the aegean region

approaching Central Anatolia region where small trees and shrubs are more dominant

barren karst-like landscape in the Central Anatolia near Pamukkale area

 Pamukkale as seen from the main road

 Going up the mountain to Pamukkale travertines

Pamukkale located in the Central Anatolia Region, was the last destination for the day and we had to reach it before sunset. And that we did after a few hours on the road. Pamukkale Travertine is suppose to be a spectacular natural site, well known for its marvelous white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. It is a kars landscape sitting on a volcanic area. Somehow, at the time we were there, the travertines did not really have that postcard look.We slipped into slippers (for those who brought) or went barefooted to soak our feet in the shallow pools or stream. Shoes are not allowed to protect the travertines.  Nearby are the ruins of Hierapolis but we did not go in there.

 A big tourist centre with souvenir shops. Ladies were seen here queuing in front of the restroom.

People soaking their feet in warm calcareous water

Pamukkale.  The reason it is called the cotton castle. 

Travertine terraces. I didn't dare walk in the pool because it was slippery.

One of the thermal pools with mineral rich water and the fee is TL30 to enter it.

The town of Pamukkale at the base of the cliff.

The location of ancient Hierapolis facing the edge of the travertines.

Remains of Hierapolis

By night time, we had already checked into Colossae Hotel where we had dinner in its huge dining room and soothed ourselves in the thermal pool (Nicki had told us to bring swim wears and caps).

Next >> Central Anatolia: Konya & Kappadokya

Thank you for reading and visit me again.