Pammukale

All the sights we've seen over the past day or two have required quite a lot of driving but unfortunately there is no way around that situation.  Today is no different, and after picking up five other people we are off to Pammukale.  After a couple of hours driving we stop for morning tea and then a further stop at an "Onyx" show room where we are shown how the onyx is cut and shaped and, of course, we are then shuffled into the showroom.  Although I don't buy anything, we have a mini lottery when back in the car and I win the "egg" we saw crafted.

Pammukale is a thermal spring that emits calcium, sulphur and iron and over the centuries has created a deposit of white calcium on the hills and created natural pools of spring water which has all sorts of therapeutic benefits.  There is also a sensational example of a Roman theatre and a museum that houses artefacts from the museum and also a number of sarcophagi.

 

Roman Theatre

Swissotel

Amuse bouche

The day finishes for us back near Kusadasi where we change cars and Gordy and I are transported to Izmir.   It's about 80 kilometres away and the initial drive is easy, although it's raining most of the way, but by the time we hit the city, the traffic is unbelievable.  Bumper to bumper for part of the way but we finally make it to the Swissotel.  Security guards check under the car and you enter through airport style screening.  The hotel is beautiful and we decide to 'eat in'.  A wonderful meal and very reasonably priced.  Unfortunately we only have an overnight stay and we are soon out at the airport on the 9.00am flight to Istanbul, which is about an hour's flight.

Crispy duck 

One of the delicious desserts

I have arranged with the hotel or a car to pick us up.  Note to self...50TL for this service, 50 Euros when I arranged our initial pick up through the travel agent.