Turkey trip part II - Pamukkale - Fahmi's FotoPage

Pamukkale was our second stop after Istanbul. The journey from Istanbul from Pamukkale by an overnight train supposedly takes about 15 hours. In our case, after a few delayed stops it took around 18 hours

. For anyone who wish to plan the same journey, well I offer one advice, if you can afford it, get the cabin with bed. It is much more comfortable plus you don't want to be told off by a Turkish pakcik for making a sound or even playing cards late at night, it is not a pretty sight I guarantee you

. From my personal opinion, travelling by train is a good way to enjoy the secenery, mix with the locals and make some friends.

Quote:

Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site and attraction in south-western Turkey in the Denizli Province. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2700 meters long and 160m high. It can be seen from a great distance, eg. when driving down the hills on the opposite side of the valley to the town of Denizli, which is 20 km away. Pamukkale is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the Maeander River valley, which enjoys a temperate climate over the greater part of the year.

The tectonic movements that took place in the fault depression of the Menderes river basin did not only cause frequent earthquakes, but also gave rise to the emergence of a number of very hot springs, and it is the water from one of these springs, with its large mineral content, chalk in particular, that created Pamukkale. Apart of some radioactive material, the water contains large amounts of hydrogen carbonate and calcium, which leads to the precipitation of calcium carbonate. The effect of this natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, making the area look like a fortress of cotton or a frozen waterfall.

Pamukkale is a very famous tourist attraction of Turkey, and the tourists travel from the coast of Antalya and the Aegean Sea to this place as it is one of the World Heritage Sites in Turkey, together with Hierapolis. Only few remaining places in the world are somewhat similar, like the Mammoth Hot Springs in the USA.

Pamukkale in late afternoon

A zigzag path

Outerspace effect

Kam, AD and I - sunset

Pamukkale at sunset