Stairway to Heaven – Pamukkale

Talk of turkey and determine if the magnet pole of food is forceful or travel to you! In case, it’s the latter and you’re caught in the blues of Ottoman legacy, going bizarre in awe of the ethereal architecture, treating yourself with the sumptuous kebabs that go with eggplants, varied yogurt sauces… wait oh there, after the entire exploration spree, your feet certainly call for much pampering.

And what could be any better than listening to the plight of your aching feet that lands you at a completely out of the world sight. Tip-toeing you make your way to the cotton castle, your feet dipped in the all so soothing springs ranging from a good 35 °C (95 °F) to 100 °C (212 °F), while your mind arrested in absolute wonder of this mystical paradise.

Pamukalle, any tourist’s dream destination is situated in the south-west region of Turkey on the River Menderes valley, built over the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. The natural slabs of calcium carbonate, appearing as a natural stairway to heaven is visited and bathed in large numbers each year by tourists and alike. (including cute company from tiny tadpoles!)

The springs which are a result of a volcanic activity leads to the emission of carbon dioxide gas that leads to the formation of a cave. A religious hint of the culture can be drawn out of the Plutonium (the resultant cave) denoting the abode of Lord Pluto. Priests of Cybele flock in carrying on their pristine practices to ward off the potential risk of the suffocating gas.

Declared as a world heritage site in the year 1988; asks for a sign of protection (if not exactly respect) to step in sans footwear from avoiding the calcium carbonate surface from any harm. Also, other destinations that you can’t be missing on, includes the Hierapolis Archealogy Museum built in 1984, and also get a peek into thew culture by viewing historical artifacts from Laodecia, Colossae, Tripolis, Attuda, which are towns of the Lycos Valley.

However, all the inviting charm of Pamukkale is starting to take a toll on it’s environment. Hotels have been barred from setting up anymore, and the zooming bikes of the tourists have caused enough pollution to this sight of incredible beauty. Well, in any case before the place is endangered by human disruption further, this is a totally recommended destination for all you travel enthusiasts, make that responsible travel enthusiasts.