day 4: kusadasi, selcuk & pamukkale - snowy mountains in summer!

Singaporeans generally love to shop. So you can imagine how we were itching to spend some liras come the forth day. Fortunately, the first two stops today were meant to satisfy the shoperholics in us.

The Populer Leather Centre produces jackets, bags, and wallets for European brands such as Burberry, LV, Prada and more. The government mandates such factories to sell 20 per cent of their goods locally to create employment for the citizens. So if you are a major fashionista, you'd probably go crazy seeing branded bags sold at factory prices (even cheaper than outlet stores)! We kick started the tour with a fashion show, which reminded me a little of "Sex in the City" and "Project Runway", just that this time, we could actually afford a piece of what the models were wearing. 

After much deliberation, I walked away with a black bag for US$345 which would likely cost me a lot more if I were to get it from the actual boutique.

The Artemis shop was a magical candy land filled with every sweets you can think of. Over 10 varieties of Turkish Delights, sesame seed paste, dried fruits, fruit teas, and even (almost edible) oils and creams made of olive, apricot, blueberry, pomegranate, etc. The boyfriend and I picked up a number of souvenir to fill our pretty empty luggages.

After shopping, we headed to the House of the Virgin Mary. Situated above the Ephesus ruins, the house is a must-see site for many Catholics as it has been declared authentic by the Pope. It is a small house, with three distinct rooms. No photography is allowed and visitors are required to keep silent as they walk through the house.

House of the Virgin Mary

We made one last quick stop before lunch to see the Artemis Temple, one of the ancient seven wonders best known as the "Temple of Diana". Artemis was the goddess of the fertilised land. You really need to manage your expectations because all that remains today is one pillar.

After filling our tummies with seabasses, we dragged ourselves back onto the bus and napped through a three-hour bus ride.

While the ancient ruins of Hierapolis sits in Pamukkale, the first thing that caught our attention was the Fairyland Terraces or Cotton Castle. From far, they looked just like snowy mountains. Even as you get closer, the glistening pools and glassy surface makes you think you are surrounded by ice. The scorching Turkish sun however pulls you right back to reality.

The mountains got their colour from calcium and limestone which are trying to escape the heat underground. We went to the peak and stepped around in the pools, with a great view of the Pamukkale area.

 

Just hundred metre away was the Cleopatra Pool, but the surrounding cafes, palm trees and lounge chairs made it look more like an ordinary pool.

Cleopatra Pool

At close to 40 degrees celcius, we didn't spend too much time and were all eager to head back to our resort.

• Costs: US$345 black leather bag, 116 Lira souvenir from Artemis, 5 Lira Nescafe, 6 Lira Connetto and popsicle, 5 Lira turkish pistachio ice cream
• Highlight: It has to be the cotton castle, which was a real sight!
• Hotel: Tripolis - Dinner by the pool under the stars was pleasant. The room was a little old, there was a tub but I didn't use it. It was the first room which provided a kettle.
• Lunch: Sofra restaurant - we had a seabass each which was lush!