Adventures & Misadventures Abroad: June 2nd - Aphrodisias, Pamukkale and Hierapolis

This was our longest day so far - 480 km. Our first stop was Aphrodisias which was a shrine as early as 5800BC. At first for the fertility gods and then to Aprodite, goddess of love. The site has a big parking lot right next to it. But you had to park across a large road and ride the wagon pulled by the tractor to the site. It seems a way to make money as there is a restaurant/cafe here.

This place was a school for marble sculpting. So they found a lot of items at the site and around it. Some not so well done - and others very well.

This is the second century gateway to the Temple of Aphrodite.

We have seen this symbol frequently in Turkey. The early Christians first used the fish as a symbol then later changed or added these circles. It was so they could identify each other. They were not an accepted part of society at first.

What is left of the Temple of Aphrodite.

And, as usual, there is a theatre on the site.

The museum has a lot of sculptures found in the area. A lot of them are missing pieces. They have been around for a very long time.

It is pretty spectacular to find one that is mostly intact.

On our way to the next site we passed this couple on their tractor. It is hard to see - but she did smile at me.

We passed by a lake that resulted from the damming of a river.

I took pictures of mosques from the car as we passed by.

Then we stopped along the road of a small village. This village is known for all its stork nests - mostly on top of telephone or electric poles. This one had three babies.

Another drive by mosque, followed by landscape photos as we drove on.

Our next stop was Hierapolis. The ancient site is associated with Pamukkale, a thermal spring.

I have to say it is very uncomfortable to walk on. There are areas of bumpy sharp rocks next to slimy indents. We couldn't decide which was more dangerous to walk on. But these terraced pools are suppose to cure of almost anything that could ales you. We did not bathe in it. But as you can see, some people did.

Proof that our feet got wet!

Closer to the spring that i the source of the water, they have these pools. You can swim amongst the fallen pillars and pieces of sculpture in the water.