We arrived in Kusadasi on 24th April with the idea of staying a few days to get some beach time and see some of the historical and natural wonders dotted not far from the city. We ventured out around the town which is said to be the 4th busiest cruise port in the Mediterranean. Stayed at "Mr Happy's, Liman Hotel", and treated to an unbelievable sunset on their rooftop bar, stunning! Mr Happy invited us for dinner with his family on the rooftop.
View from our hotel rooftop bar of the Kusadasi sunset
On ANZAC day there were no tours running out of the city, and no ANZAC services.. so our commemoration this year included a turkish bath! For those that havn't had one it is quite and experience. You basically strip down to just a towel lie out on a heated marble slab with a plastic covered cushion for head and feet. The room has taps all around the side with marble basins overflowing with the hot and cold tap water running away below the floor tiles. The warm water is sluiced over you poured from plastic dishes by turkish bath girls, followed by a body scrub with a hand mit. They then used pillow case like bags, which are dipped in a bubble solution then squeezed the air out creating bubbles. These bubbles were laid over your body popping on your skin. Kind of like the photo below (obviously no photos).
That afternoon we chilled out at "ladies beach". The water didn't feel as cold as the greek islands and easily warm enough for a swim.
On the second day we travelled out to Pamukkale to see the white terraces. On the way there we stopped off at a thermal hotspring resort with natural mud baths. This has been the hottest day so far for us on our travels probably tipping 30 degs.
Our guide also told us a few facts and stories about Turkey and it's people. He told us to “become a man” in Turkey every boy needs to do three things...
1. Be circumcised
Pamukkale is probably what the Pink and White terraces in NZ would have looked like. Pamukkale means Cotton Castle in turkish, the terraces are white like cotton and in a castle formation. They are the largest white terrace formation in the world. The geothermal water is loaded with calcium carbonate which deposits on the slopes forming the spectacular terraces.
Pamukale also has a hot pool where Cleopatra bathed. According to myth the pool has healing powers. Maybe thats now why it cost 35 turkish lira to get in!
View from our hotel rooftop bar of the Kusadasi sunset
Sunsetting
Cruiseliners in port
On ANZAC day there were no tours running out of the city, and no ANZAC services.. so our commemoration this year included a turkish bath! For those that havn't had one it is quite and experience. You basically strip down to just a towel lie out on a heated marble slab with a plastic covered cushion for head and feet. The room has taps all around the side with marble basins overflowing with the hot and cold tap water running away below the floor tiles. The warm water is sluiced over you poured from plastic dishes by turkish bath girls, followed by a body scrub with a hand mit. They then used pillow case like bags, which are dipped in a bubble solution then squeezed the air out creating bubbles. These bubbles were laid over your body popping on your skin. Kind of like the photo below (obviously no photos).
Turkish bath
That afternoon we chilled out at "ladies beach". The water didn't feel as cold as the greek islands and easily warm enough for a swim.
Sandy beach
Down to test the water
On the second day we travelled out to Pamukkale to see the white terraces. On the way there we stopped off at a thermal hotspring resort with natural mud baths. This has been the hottest day so far for us on our travels probably tipping 30 degs.
Our guide also told us a few facts and stories about Turkey and it's people. He told us to “become a man” in Turkey every boy needs to do three things...
1. Be circumcised
2. Must enlist in the army to train and serve for one year
3. Drink a bottle of raki (turkish aniseed flavoured alcohol)
Pamukkale is probably what the Pink and White terraces in NZ would have looked like. Pamukkale means Cotton Castle in turkish, the terraces are white like cotton and in a castle formation. They are the largest white terrace formation in the world. The geothermal water is loaded with calcium carbonate which deposits on the slopes forming the spectacular terraces.
Mudbaths, rub the mud in leave for 20mins then wash off. Good for the skin they reckon..
White terraces
Wading through the warm pools of water on the terraces
View out to Pamukkale township and the terraces, snow-capped mountain range in distance
Pamukale also has a hot pool where Cleopatra bathed. According to myth the pool has healing powers. Maybe thats now why it cost 35 turkish lira to get in!
Cleopatra's pool
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