This town is now called Pamukkale or "Cotton Castle" for reasons which are self evident from the pictures but the ancient name was Hierapolis or Holy City as the waters were considered to be sacred and having curative powers. The water, which is high in minerals particularly calcium and magnesiun, flows out of the hill from numerous sources and leaves a white residue in pools and cascades down the mountain.
This was a post on the famous Silk Road which traverse Turkey with camel caravans carrying all manner of trade goods. I found it interesting that the camel was selected as the beast of burden as it can out carry a horse or donkey but are only good on flat surfaces. For this reason, the Silk Road runs through valley bottoms.
There is a very large acheological site with a great theatre. I am proud to say that the very difficult climb did not deter me and I stood on the top to view the valley below.
At the hotel, they had a mud bath and a thermal pool so I wallowed as long as I could manage the 40 degree mud; which was not all that long before I was forced out. John used their fitness room which had some really antiquated equipment and no air conditioner so he also gave up pretty quickly.
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