Pammukale is probably well known by many of you, it is a nautral phenomena where the calcium carbonate in the hot springs react to the oxygen and create what looks like snow or white stone on a hill called the Travertines. It looks amazing during the day but also at sunset it captures the light. We climbed up the hill and explored various ruins and a theatre in the afternoon and then watched the sun set. It was hard to find a quiet place to admire it but I was able to move a little away from the crowds. It was really beautiful and as per usual, the photos don't really capture the glow.
While we were in this area we visited an abandoned village. In 1923, after the Treaty of Lausanne, there occurred the 'Great Population Exchange' in which Greek people living in Turkey were forced to move to Greece and Turkish people in Greece were forced to come to Turkey. From all perspectives this was very traumatic however did seem to impact more Greek people (1.2 million of the 1.6 people were Greek residents of Turkey). As with other sensitive chapters in history, it is difficult to unpack the truth but it was definitely an emotionally and physically violent period. We visited a village that had been a thriving Greek community and now stands desolate. This moment was juxtaposed with the following day which was a day at Oludeniz (also the Blue Lagoon) which was made up of just relaxing by the sea and enjoying the stunning scenery. I feel a bit uncomfortable with these travel contrasts but it was a fabulous day nontheless.
Finally Kas. So, by way of background, last time I came to Turkey, I loved Kas and when I arrived I was a little overwhelmed by the strength of this emotion. Kas is a little touristy but for good reason because it is a beautiful little town by the water. We were here for a couple of nights because we also did a fabulous boat trip on one day just travelling around to different parts of the Mediterranean to swim and have an amazing lunch of home-cooked Turkish food. Turkish food is one of the best cuisines in the world and we got to sample some different dishes that were cooked to perfection and the swimming was relaxing. Visiting Kas was...I think the best way to describe it is to use an analogy of having a fabulous gin and tonic and then having another gin and tonic in the same glass but this time with Elderberry gin so it is the same drink but a little different and while not the classic version, it is a little better.
Pammukale
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