It's 5pm on Friday, November 7th and I am exhausted.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:  Pamukkale and Hieropolis  (google for info)

The day started out very slowly.  I finished breakfast around noon!  I vowed to keep the promise I made to myself to go to Pamukkale today.  So, about 1:30 I walked to the fountain to wait for a minibus.  Within minutes one arrived and for 2 lira (about $1.00) took me the few kms to Pamukkale.  What everyone failed to tell me, including my extensive reading, was that the bus would drop me in a nondescript area that looked nothing like the many photos I had seen.

I asked two fellows where to go and they pointed the way.  In my physical condition I was not about to just start walking, ha ha.  A minute or so later a man, who had been sitting chatting at the shop beside me, came up and asked me if I needed help.  He said that no bus went right there, but that I could get a taxi and also go up the mountain to view the ancient city of Hieropolis.  

Then he said, "terrace" - and yes that is what I wanted to see, famous travertine terraces.  He jumped into his little car and opened the passenger door for me.

Now before you all scream so loudly that I will be able to hear you, I know, I know, I know.  It really just didn't occur to me to be cautious.  He seemed so genuine.  Famous last words, you say.

As we were driving up the very lonely road to the top of the mountain, I did, for a second, question my naivety.

It turned out that he was a lovely gentleman, about 50 ish.  He took my hand and arm to steady me as we walked to a great vantage point.  He hauled two large pieces of flat stone to make a comfortable seat for me atop the rugged rocks.  He pointed out ruins of the Church of St. Philip, the amphitheatre, the temple of Apollo, and many tombs.  There was no one there, and there was pure silence.  He gave me a brief history of the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras of both the ancient city of Hieropolis which was built on the hot springs adjacent to modern day Pamukkale.

Driving back down the scenery was picture perfect and soon the white travertine began to show.  It looks much like snow, or rather what it looks like after a good old ice storm at home.

We then stopped at the duck pond directly in front and sat for half an hour or so enjoying the serene place.

He dropped me back where a mini bus would soon be along to pick me up.  I went to my purse with the intention of giving him some money for his time and gas.  He saw my movement and said, "No money, please.  No".  I thanked him profusely and shook his hand.  He left and my mini bus arrived in minutes.   What a kind man he is.  I saw as much as I could without climbing and walking.  Even in my youth, that climbing and walking would not have been for me.

One of many tombs.

More tombs, Hieropolis.

Coming down, Pamakkule in view.

getting closer

Sitting on my improvised seat admiring the view of Hieropolis and Pamukkale.  Do I look pooped, or what!!!!

The area is fenced off.

Right in town.

My wonderful "guide" for this excursion.  Sorry, I can't remember his name, but something that sounds like Urmush.

Visitor's map of the area.

Sitting at the duck pond admiring the natural wonder in front of us.

That string of what look like black dots near the top are actually people walking the way to the travertine pools.  They are barefoot (no footwear allowed) on wet travertine.

People feed the ducks.

Had I been able to do the walk, this is what I would have seen.  Wow, to get the full experience must be awesome.

Link:  http://www.themadtraveleronline.com/photo-galleries/photo-gallery-pamukkale-turkey-the-cotton-castle/