Cappadocia to Pamukkale

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Cappadocia to Pamukkale
Today is the longest day travelling in the bus – although Ines stops the bus every one and half hours for a break. He usually tells us what we will be seeing and doing and also gives us the history. This method works well because when you get to the destination you already have the information. Our first stop was the Sultanhani Kervansaray – a caravan palace – where the nomadic people would go and stay for a couple of nights only. It is in quite good condition, on the outskirts in a town called Konya. Konya is a large city but the area around the caravan was quite poor. The sights on the way included a mother walking her children with the cow to school. Men are driving little horse & carts transporting all manner of things, some women in traditional dress. My overall feeling in the countryside is that life is simple. They live by the seasons and very much in tune with nature. The area we are in is the cherry tree area – thousands of cherry trees in bloom. Their white blossom in contrast with the green that is everywhere. Turkey exports most of their cherries to Europe – there is a co-operative and so all the farmers benefit.
Our next stop was the museum of Mevlana Muzesi who is revered in Turkey as a great philosopher. The museum was more interesting than the Blue Mosque. The murals were magnificent, the books dating from the fifteenth century were just beautiful. The artwork around the writing, the writing itself all very artistic. They had pieces of clothes from the fifteenth century – absolutely amazing. We all could have spent longer time in there but aware we still had a long drive ahead we boarded the bus.
Poppies – they have another meaning for us – but here in this area of Turkey the poppies are grown for opium (medicinal purposes – production of morphine). Paddocks and paddocks of them…..
We eventually got to Pamukkale around 6pm – a welcome sight – a huge Thermal Hotel. We were all anxious to jump into the thermal, mud hot springs. Ines told us about a treatment where little fish come and manicure your feet or hands. We booked in straight away – it really appealed. So after throwing on bathers, sitting in mud, I got into a bath with lots of tiny piranhas nibbling at me. The sensation was like tickling – I loved it. Nobby was very tentative, not wanting to fully immerse himself until Brian gave him a hard time (mind you Brian was the only one not to try this). Both Chris and I thought it great.
Dinner was like being at a huge Greek wedding – only with no bride and groom – although we did have a wedding singer. I have never been in such a big hotel….still we all got fed!

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Photos

Caravan Palace
Gates of the Palace

Local Lady
We saw many women in traditionl dress

Turkey driving
Not everyone of course, but the farmers will use any mode of transport

Melvana
This is the mosque & museum dedicated to this man - a poet as well as a philosopher

Fields of Poppies
Not the red ones though

Comments

[Judy]

Typical Brian
I might have known Brian would give Nobby a hard time for not doing something he wasn't going to do..........shame on you Brian. I quite like the sound of the fish giving a pedicure. Don't envy you the long coach journey but at least you get to see a lot of Turkey others don't see. We are in Royal Wedding fever at the moment with the Americans and Australians more patriotic that the Brits, I think. Enjoy your next adventure. xx

[Anni]

Have no idea what your bog looks like! It was meant to be blog...