Simplicity
We drove inland again through the mountains towards Pamukkale and stopped for lunch at a little town called Korkuteli. If you want to experience the real Turkey this is where you must come. Women with headscarves walking with their children in the midday sun, backgammon playing old men sit together on street corners. A mountainous landscape, fountains and a mosque in the village square adds to the charm. As we sat on the restaurant terrace a convoy of cars tooting their horns from a local wedding passed by, the musicians playing on the back of the pick-up truck. The simple restaurant we chose had no menu but we were offered canoe-shaped meat or cheese pide(a Turkish version of pizza) chicken sis or lamb sis kebab with a huge portion of salad. Why is it that tomatoes taste so good when you are on holiday? The food was simple, clean and delicious. And to finish strong tea (cay) served in delicate tulip glasses.
Afiyet Olsun ! (Enjoy your meal)
Pamukkale
UNESCO
We assembled the tent and went to explore. We have been lucky on this trip to explore many world heritage sites and here was another one. In 1988 UNESCO awarded this stunning site with world heritage status. That meant hotels and roads were removed and a new system introduced to drain and fills the pools of water on a rotating basis. In this way the sun can bleach the pools to a glistening white, which only happens when the pools are empty. It also reduces algae and pollution. Guards are on hand to make sure visitors do not stray into restricted areas and that people have removed their shoes. All that said, the sheer amount of visitors coming here (over a million per year) threatens the beauty of the Pammukale environment. Even with UNESCO’s help Pamukkale is under significant environmental pressure year in year out.
The park below is filled with local Turkish families at 7 o’clock, hardly a tourist to be seen. There is a lovely vibe in the air as we stroll around. People say ‘Hello’ or ‘Merhaba’. They touch our kids’ hair and smile. Grandmas, aunties, mums and dads, picnic with their kids on the grass or stroll across the lower travertines with their toddlers.
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