Kusadasi: Virgin Mary's House, Ephesus & Basilica St John in Turkey

We headed from Pamukkale to Virgin Mary's House, the popular site of Ephesus and The Basilica of St. John burial site before ending our day trip at Kusadasi downtown near the beach area. We followed the group tour from the first day of the tour when we arrived at Istanbu as it was impossible to travel by ourselves due to limited public transportation from one city to another city in Turkey. The road journey was hectic and tiring but we were lucky to have friendly and chatty members within our group.  

Virgin Mary's House near Ephesus in Turkey where it was believed that Virgin Mary spent her days in the ancient city of Ephesus

Baths at the State Agora is Roman bathing facility nearby Ephesus in Turkey

A calm cat enjoyed sunbathing at Ephesus site in Kusadasi, Turkey

Bouleuterion housed the meetings of the council (boule) as well as musical performances and contests nearby Ephesus in Turkey

Heading to the popular attraction site called Ephesus in Turkey

Ephesus is one of the seven wonders of the world as the greatest outdoor museum with the lists of gloriest historical events in Turkey

Ancient Ephesus in Kusadasi, Turkey

The characteristics or  identities representing Ephesus Ancient Building in Kusadasi, Turkey

Ephesus Theatre in Kusadasi, Turkey

The remains of Ephesus Theatre in Kusadasi, Turkey

Basilica of St John in Kusadasi, Turkey

The remains of the burial site of St John near Ephesus in Kusadasi, Turkey

The tomb of St John in Ephesus, Kusadasi, Turkey

The Basilica of St John is on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill near the center of Selçuk, just below the fortress and about 3.5 km from Ephesus in Kusadasi, Turkey

Enjoying sunset at the popular beach in Kusadasi downtown, Turkey

Pamukkale: Hierapolis & Thermal Pools (Travertine Hot Springs) in Turkey

Pamukkale is one of Turkey's top attractions after Cappadocia. Tourists and the locals flock to Pamukkale for thermal pools. The thermal pools (travertine hot springs) was used as a spa since the second century BC. Terraces of travertine hot springs is known as the nature wonders of the world from the minerals reaction between calcium and hydrogen carbonate to create calcium carbonate and limestone. It is scientifically proven to cure many diseases thus it becomes an attraction side for the visitors to bathe or soak their feet.

Hierapolis ancient city is also located in Pamukkale. There are many remaining of building structures can be seen at the site. Walking at the site can be challenging if you aren't fit as the pathways are uneven and most of the sites are located quite a distance from one to another and some are located on top of the hill which require to walk up the steep hill. Thus, it is advisable to wear comfortable sports shoes and pants with your cap as walking at the site can be difficult under the hot weather. 

Heading to the top of the hillof the sanctuary of St Philip (one of the twelve aposties of Christ at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

Octagonal Baths building before heading up the stairway at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

Church of the Sepulchre was built around a first-century Sacellum tomb belonging to the Roman cementery at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

St Philip tomb at Pamukkale, Turkey

The remainings of semicircular structure with seating for the priests during the liturgy at Church of the Sepulchre in Pamukkale, Turkey

Some of the interior remainings of Church of the Sepulchre at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

Different Cross designs can be found at St Philip tomb at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, TurkeyAdd caption

The theatre was used into late Roman times dating to AD 352 and the spectators were divided accordingly to the social class at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

The theatre is divided into two parts by the central diazoma and vertically by 8 staircases into 9 kerkides at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

The remainings of the theatre at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

An exciting visit to the most popular attraction site, Pamukkale Themal Pools among tourists and locals in Pamukkale, Turkey

Enjoying the view of the thermal (salted) hills on the ground at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

Heading to the main spectacular of the famous thermal pools at Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

At last, we arrive at the thermal pool which also known as Cleopatras pools after 15 minutes walk from the entrance at HIerapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey

Removing shoes before stepping into travertines terraces at Pamukkale Thermal Pools (Cleopatras) pools in Turkey

In ancient times, the travertines terraces were overflowing with water at Pamukkale Thermal Pools in Turkey

The nature wonder of Pamukkale Thermal Pools or also known as Travertines Terraces which attracts many tourists to Pamukkale in Turkey

Spectacular view while soaking our feet in the thermal pools at Pamukkale, Turkey

  

Cappadocia: Goreme Museum, Avanos, Pasabag Valley and Underground City in Turkey

Cappadocia is a very beautiful city which has many unique rock formation of its landscapes, rock-cut churches and mysterious underground cities. It is a must to visit Cappadocia when you visit Turkey. Cappadocia is located in the middle of Turkey and to get there is the only way by plane, from Istanbul to Cappadocia. We followed the local tour entirely in Cappadocia to Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos, Pasabag Valley and Underground City of Kaymakli & Citadel of Uchisar. It is impossible to get around in Cappadocia by public transportation due to the locations and language barrier. We were fortunate that we were in a small group tour of 10 of us. 

Do remember to arrange hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia with your tour guide as it is prearranged a day or two days early to avoid disappointment. We didn't manage to experience hot air balloon ride due to snowing and windy in the morning.  

Goreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia, Turkey

One of the rock-cut churches with beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) at Goreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia, Turkey

Goreme Open Air Museum is a member of UNESCO World Heritage since 1984 in Cappadocia, Turkey

Most of the churches in Goreme Open Air Museum were operated between 10th to 12th centuries at Cappadocia in Turkey

The locals are still staying in this old city of Avanos which is still famous for its earthenware pottery production in Cappadocia, Turkey

The popular town of Avanos is set on the banks of the Kizlirmak the Red River, is one of the popular tourist destination to visit in Cappadocia, Turkey

Pasabag Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey

Underground city of Kaymakli & Citadel in Capadocia, Turkey

An ancient multi-level underground city to shelter over 20,000 people together with their livesstock and food stores in Underground City of Kaymakli and Citadel of Cappadocia, Turkey

Each room is connected to next room and every floor in the underground city of Kaymakli and Citadel in Cappadocia, Turkey