Mai at the Cotton Castle (

Today, I was driven inland to Pamukkale to see its ‘Cotton Castle’ which is a dazzling chalk-white array of fantastically shaped limestone terraces.  The white limestone terraces are a result of carbonate minerals left by flowing water. It felt surreal to walk on it, surrounded by white – it seemed like I was on another planet! You can dip your feet in the terraces without shoes to protect the ‘Cotton Castle’ surfaces. Although from a distance the Cotton Castle looks white, some of the terraces have different colours such as grey, green and orange. The terraces looked beautiful with their glistening pools and cascades in scallop-shell basins.

White terraces of Cotton Castle

A fairy tale of vast white coloured limestone deposit

After spending a while at the white terraces, I walked around the site to enjoy the ruins of ancient Hierapolis which was built on top of the Cotton Castles. There, hot springs have been used as a spa since the 2nd Century BC.

Similar to other archeological sites, the city has many point of interests. The one that strikes me most is the ancient tombs which looked like a pizza ovens.

Mai in front of Hierapolies' ancient tomb

Back in my hotel, I enjoyed a warm thermal pool, simply soothing .

Related posts:

1. Neuschwanstein Castle – Munich, Germany
2. Castle Hill (Varhegy), Budapest
3. Turkey Trip – a whole summary (details to come..)
4. Czech Republic – Cesky Krumlov Castle & Garden
5. Turkey – City of Troy and Pergamon (Canakkale)