Trip to Pamukkale

The trip to Pamukkale is actually a must if you are in the southern part of turkey.It is really a natural beauty.Basically what i understood from my guide is that in Pammukale there are hot springs and as the hot water containing calcium carbonate gets out of the springs, there is a kind of chemical reaction with carbon dioxide in the air leading to the precipitation of calcium carbonate forming these fine white terraces.

We book the trip directly from the hotel we were staying.It costs 90 lira per person.The come to pick up at your hotel.For 90 lira,you have a breakfast,a lunch, transport and insurance.

The trip starts at 6.30 a.m.After they pick you up with the dolmus, you are transfered to a big air-conditioned bus.At 7am, the real route starts and after around 40 mins drive towards Mugla, the bus stops at a big restaurant for breakfast.There it is packed with people.The stop is only for 30 mins.So you have to be smart and go quickly and grab some food.What is served for breakfast?Well pretty much the same turkish breakfast you have in your hotel.This means:tomatoes,cucumber,cheese,bread, boiled eggs,coffee and tea.However if you want some extras like sandwitch or pastries, you will have to pay.

After this speedy breakfast,you are set for Pammukale.It is a 2 and half hour drive with a 10 mins break at petrol station where you can got to the toilet or buy some snacks.

Arriving at Pamukkale, there are 3 things to do: visit the ruins of the theatre of Hierapolis,Swim in the  pool of Cleopatra and of course go  to the cotton castle.The distance between these 3 places is around 15 mins walk.So use your time smartly because you will spend only around 3 hours in this place.It should be mentioned that you have to pay extra 30 lira to go swimming in the Cleopatra’s pool.

After Pamukkale, the next stop is the restaurant for lunch.Again a packed place but decent food.Drinks are to be paid extra.The lunch lasts around 30 mins.

Back to Marmaris, with a stop at an Onyx shop where you can buy some souvenir made of onyx if your budget permits.

All in all, it is definetly a tour to join if your in the southern part of turkey like Marmaris.

Marmaris Beach

Marmaris is long sandy beach where the Aegean sea meets the mediteranean sea. Actually it is not that quite sandy.When you enter the water, for one or two meters,there are pebbles in the sea..It is not that bad but if your feet are sensible,get some plastic swimming shoes.this will make the entrance more enjoyable.

The beach itself is very clean and well maintained .It is vey secure and guarded by life guards.The only drawback is that there is no place for shower or cabins to change.At least i have not seen it.The beach next to the harbour is free  and quiet and actually not so packed as i was expecting.And the best part is that you are free from being hassled there.Nobody actually come to sell you stuffs..etc..However when you go further up, where the long chairs , you will be offered to sit and have a drink.Its not that bad because when you consume from these bars, the sun bathing chairs are free.

Along the beach,the are lots of cafe,restaurants and bars .Anyway, i believe that marmaris is not that cheap . One turkish kebab which i eat in two bites 8 lira, one Efes beer 8 lira..Come on !In Antalya i bought one Efes on the beach for 4 lira..so….