Back on the bus, we headed inland a bit to Hierapolis and Pamukele. Hierapolis is a Roman ruins built on the site of even older ruins popular with ancient populationsbecause of the thermal water there. Famous since before recorded history, this area boasts healing waters and marvelous white cliffs. Now listed in as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this marvel is white due to the calcite in the thermal waters that flows over the cliffs. A decade or so ago some hotels were built above the site, greatly reducing the flow of water. Those hotels have been closed, but the water is still low, so there's a complex schedule of water management so that the cliffs stay white.
Hierapolis is an amazing site. The artifacts are so thick that it's overwhelming in a way. You can clamber on Roman sarcophagi and climb up any part of the huge amphitheater you desire. There are Thermal pools you can swim in and plenty of pools along the cliffs to wade in. The entire site covers several square miles. Rob had a blast wandering around in the hills. I enjoyed checking out the pools, complete with submerged Roman columns and other ruins, and poking around in other areas.
That night we stayed in the nearby town of Pamukule. The hotel we stayed at was pretty fancy and HUGE. The tourists come in by the bus load and see Hierapolis, spend the night and go hot air ballooning. That evening we watched a Whirling Dervish exhibition. It was very interesting to learn more about Rumi and Suifism. Plus we caught a killer sunset as we headed for the show!
Check out this link for more info: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/greece-turkey/turkey