Hierapolis, Pamukkale.

The ancient spa city of Hierapolis at Pamukkale, Turkey is in no shortage of gorgeous, unreal natural landscapes and ancient Hellenistic and Roman architecture ruins. Being here on an extra sunny day, I certainly felt like I had been pulled back in time as I follow the ruins of baths and sacred temples, trying to take in the historical stories of the rise and falls of great empires and the captivating tales of kings and queens.

Historians had little-known facts on Ancient Hierapolis other than it was originally founded by the king of Pergamum, Eumenes II, in 190 BC. It was subsequently named Hierapolis after the Amazon's Queen Hiera, the wife of Telephos, the founder of Pergamom. The city became a healing spa center where doctors and patients came here for the thermal springs for treatment and healing purposes.

Hierapolis was ceded to Rome in 133 B.C. and since flourished, became part of the Roman province of Asia during the 2nd and 3rd century A.D. Subsequently, during the rule of the emperor Tiberius, a major earthquake destroyed the city.

Fast forward to the modern excavation days, Hierapolis was first excavated by German archaeologist Carl Humann in 1887. The place later regained the world's attention because of the unique natural landscape and the large white limestone formation of the hot springs became famous and catches the eyes of tourists all over the world. It was then turned into a tourist attraction and given the name Pamukkale, literally meaning cotton castle.

My day spent at Hierapolis, Pamukkale was more than just any other sightseeing destination. There's something special about Pamukkale being a mixed UNESCO heritage site (natural &cultural) that stood out for me. Walking through the ancient ruins while accompanied by the scenic and photogenic natural surroundings is truly a marvelous experience and a feast for the eye.

You could walk freely into the glistening white travertine terrace formations that overrun with mineral-rich water,  or better yet, have a proper spa treatment and enjoy a good soak and immerse yourself in the warm hot spring and relax, take in the gorgeous view and overlook the town of Pamukkale.

Afterward, you could take all the time you need to explore each ruin sites at Hierapolis. From the beautiful Temple of Aphrodite, the Necropolis to the magnificent Roman Theater, which I personally think has the best view in all of Hierapolis.

For an extra fee, you can have a dip in Cleopatra's pool --- an aquamarine colored thermal pool that legend has it, was once a gift from Mark Antony to the Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra. In the 7th Century, a massive earthquake destroyed Roman Temple to Apollo surrounding the pool, the columns fell into the water and the pools and created this spectacular site.

And that's all I have for today. My exploration of Turkey continues, until next time