Day 11: Last night was the best sleep I've had yet. The bed was cozy, the morning sun shined through to wake me slowly, and I slept soundly. We started the morning with the Pamukkale and Hieropolis sites. The calcite pools of Pamukkale were gorgeous. Nowhere else in the world will you see a geologic splendor as grand as this. The running water was like bath water, though the pools were cool.

Right and Lower Right: Pictures of the extensive calcite formations.
Lower Left: Ryan was expecting the pool to be warm like the running spring, but it wasn't. He's not impressed.

Hieropolis stood above the springs. The large theatre and ruins were amazing. There were some ruins we could swim around, but it was 15 Ytl (about $12) each and we didn't have much time. We also missed the necropolis, though it was worth seeing the theatre.

Right: I'm sitting in the top row of the theatre. Someone talking on the stage in a normal voice would be heard easily from where I sat.
Below: This is the pool we didn't swim in.

From here, we continued to the cruise ship port of Kusadasi.

On the way, Taylan and Arzu (the tour guide and assistant guide) served us wine as a celebration of the Bayram. It felt very naughty and very good to be drinking on the bus.

Kusadasi was fun, though it was a bit touristy. The temperature was scorching and we found a nice sandy beach laden with padded lounge chairs. So, we enjoyed the sun and tested the Aegean Sea, which was way colder than the Mediterranean.

The one thing Kusadasi was good for was souvenir shopping.

Today was the first day of the Bayram (the holiday proceeding Ramadan), and all desserts were on sale. We bought gelato and pastries, and when we said, "I Bayram lar," (a happy holiday greeting), the bakers smiled broadly and became very kind.

Right: This statue sits in the park along the beach. I don't really know what it's supposed to mean, but I liked the shadows from the sun.