Pamukkale

Just having a couple of hours extra sleep made all the difference. Being able to freshen up and get a new change of clothes was another big bonus. Afterall, it was going to be quite a picturesque place.

Our cab arrived a bit late but we eventually got there (along with the other tour groups for the day), but we knew what we wanted to see and went and tried to get ahead of the crowds forming behind us.

We got to see the first area of the famed travertines, the cotton castle, they called it. Some sort of limestone-esque cascades except they were all in white, with layers upon layers. The opposite mountains was the same, all coated in white. However, this wasn't the one we were seeing in the photos. We were also quite hungry so we decided to have breakfast here. Some instant noodles and cookies which were such a lifesaver.

We explored a bit more until we found what we were looking for, the full Pamukkale experience with its crystalline turquoise waters flowing through the white travertine pools. We ventured downwards as the further down we go, the more beautiful the scenery became and the thinner the crowds of tourists were. We took plenty of photos all down to the last pools which I think were the best of the bunch.

After we were satisfied with our photos, we went back up and explored the Roman Ruins next which was Kama's highlight of the trip. I also liked how this part of Pamukkale seems to be devoid of crowds, as if everyone just forgot about the existence of the Hierapolis which the travertine pools were only a small part of. We played some songs from the Marias while exploring all the way to the end. Kama made comments on how similar the whole landscape was to Elden Ring and I couldn't help but agree.

On the way back, we called the guy who called us our cab, who technically still owed me money. We got sent to a restaurant with buffet, Kama and I ate our share. I was carrying a lot inside of me even at this time, especially knowing that Turkey was coming to a close and the window of redemption in my mind is also slowly diminishing. After lunch, we went back to the hotel to chill for the rest of the day. Having our guesthouse host cook us up a grand last meal. We stayed in our rooms listening to music and sharing stories. Something about beef between rappers and breakdancing.

Our last morning together had us waking up earlier than usual with a bit of anxiety as we couldn't contact the guy from yesterday, and we didn't know if a cab was really going to be showing up or not. We kept trying to call him as there was no other way for us to get a cab at this unholy hour. The host's son was also sleeping in the couch and couldn't be bothered to help us. After some frantic pacing, the cab did arrive thankfully. However, we were late. I still tried to find the guy who owed me money but conveniently he disappeared and no one else could contact him, not even his staff. Our cab urged us that we must go as the airport bus had already taken off. We had to go full on Fast and Furious to catch up to it at one of the stops, where we transferred and got on from there. What a way to start the morning!

When we finally got to Denizli Airport, I remember telling Kama that "I'm anxious." as the knots in my heart started to grow and twist even more. The usual tension that has haunted me for months on end. A short flight back to Istanbul, the moment we landed, all that tension disappeared just like that. New zone, new energy. We had our last lunch here and said our farewells as I went ahead to board a plane heading to Prague.Read more