Sichuan Tour III, China
Day 3 22 Sept 2024
Sichuan Tour IV, China
Day 4 23 Sept 2024
Hoi An, a charming ancient town of Vietnam
The map below shows the location of Hoi An Town in Vietnam
Thank you for your interest in writer’s trip in Hoi An Town on 29 Oct 2022.
Golden Bridge of Vietnam
Golden Bridge is the latest tourists’ attraction in Vietnam since 2018.
The bridge is held up by two hands of a “giant”.
The map below shows the location of Golden Bridge on Bana Hills that is 24 km west of Danang in Vietnam.
Writer and wife at the main cable-car station, Hoi An Station, at the foot of Bana Hills, Vietnam, on 30 Oct 2022.
They boarded this cable-car to ascend to 1414m above sea-level to visit the famous bridge, Golden Bridge, on Bana Hills.
While ascending Bana Hills for 20 mins, they had breathtaking views of forests and sea in the distance.
Soon they reached the next cable-car station, Marseille Station, where they alighted and and walked to Golden Bridge.
They saw many tourists on the bridge enjoying the spectacular sights of Bana Hills. The bridge is known as Golden Bridge as its railings are golden in colour.
Tourists came in droves to see the unique Golden Bridge and enjoyed the breathtaking views of Bana Hills in Vietnam.
Golden Bridge is supported by two hands of a “giant”. This photo below shows the right hand of the “giant” holding up the bridge.
This photo below shows the left hand of the same “giant” holding up the bridge.
Tourists on Golden Bridge will enjoy the spectacular view of Bana Hills and beyond.
Another spectacular view of Bana Hills and beyond as seen from Golden Bridge.
The weather in Bana Hills is unpredictable. One moment the place is bright, another moment it is misty and visibility is very poor.
Photo below shows very poor visibility when Golden Bridge is shrouded in thick mist.
The spot with Golden Bridge in the background is tourists’ favourite place for taking photos for remembrance.
Writer and wife visited the famous bridge, Golden Bridge, on Bana Hills in Vietnam on 30 Oct 2022. It is a memorable visit to them.
Hue Imperial City, Vietnam
Nguyen Dynasty was the last Vietnamese dynasty. Its emperors ruled Vietnam for 143 years from 1802 until 1945.
Gia Long was the first emperor of Nguyen Dynasty. He ruled Vietnam from 1802 until 1820. The last emperor was Bao Dai who ruled the country from 1926 until 1945.
The dynasty made Hue in Central Vietnam its capital where the Hue Imperial City was established for emperors to rule and live.
A map below shows the location of Hue in Vietnam.
13 Vietnamese Emperors ruled Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until 1945.
The photo below shows the hierarchy of emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945.
The emperors lived in Hue Imperial City. The photo below shows the layout of the Emperors’ domain.
The Imperial City was protected by a large fortress which was surrounded by a moat.
Gates were built to enter the fortress.
The fortress had some bastions for defensive fires in several directions.
The main entrance to the Imperial City is an impressive gate and is a popular spot where tourists will take a photo for remembrance.
The Imperial City is inside the fortress where the ex-emperors’ office and residence were in a special area known as the Purple Forbidden City.
Unfortunately, some buildings were destroyed in Vietnam War(1955-1975).
Ten emperors of Nguyen Dynasty were honoured in a large temple, The To Temple, in the Imperial City.
The following photos show the altars of the first four emperors in the temple.
A place outside that temple is reserved for visitors to worship the ex-Nguyen emperors.
A 3-storey pavilion, Hien Lan, was built facing The To Temple. It had nine large bronze urns to honour nine ex-Nguyen emperors.
Many ornate gates were built in Hue Imperial City. Some are shown in the photos below.
There are two temples near Hien Nhon Gate. One which is known as Trieu Mieu Temple was built to dedicate to the Lord Nguyen Hoang’s parents whereas the other one, Thai Mieu Temple, was built to honour the cults of nine ex-Nguyen emperors.
A shed outside Hue Imperial City and in the fortress compound houses four large bronze cannons left behind by Tay Son Dynasty(1778-1802).
Each cannon is 5.1m long and weighs more than 10 tons.
The writer, Choo Chaw, visited the Hue Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty(1802-1945) on 28 Oct 2022 and hope you have learned about the Nguyen Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam.
Writer’s List of Visited Countries
Writer’s List of Visited Countries:
(Click on the name of a country or city below and read about the writer’s tour in the country or city.)
Australia Travel:
Part I: Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula/Phillip Island),
China Travels:
i. Beijing, Tianjin, Chengde Travel:
Part II: Beijing, Tianjin, Chengde
ii. China Relatives & Ancestral Places(Fujian Province)
Part I: Parents’ China Relatives
Part II: Hanjiang, Meizhou Island
iii. Hong Kong Travel
iv. Macau Travel
v. Shanghai Travel
Part I: Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing
Part II: Nanjing Bridge, Shanghai City, Shanghai Expo, Hangzhou
vi. Sichuan Travel
#Diexi Lake, Songzhou Ancient City & Tibetan House
#Shuzheng Valley, Five Flower Lake & “Tibetan Mystery”
#Huanglong Scenic Area
#Mini River Irrigation System, Guanxian Ancient City & Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base
#Jinlin Ancient Town, Kuanzhai Alley Ancient Town, Chunxi Road Shopping Centre, Sichuan Hotpot Dinner & Jin River Night Scene
vi. Shenzhou, Hezhou, Quilin, Zhaoqing Travel
Part II: Quilin, Yangshuo, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen
vii. Taiwan Travel
Part II: Checheng, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Sanyi, Yehliu, Jioufen
viii. Yunnan Travel
Part I: Kunming, Jiu Xiang, Shilin, Dali
ix. Zhangjiajie Travel:
Part I: Tianmen, Zhangjia jie, Wulingyuan, Tianzi, Yuangjiajie
Part II: Dragon King Cave, Shaoshan, Changsha, Macau
x. China Expedition 2013:
Egypt Travel
Part I :Salah el Din Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque, Tahrir Square and Egyptian Museum
Part II :Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon
Part III :Hot Air Balloons and Karnak Temple Complex
Part IV :Papyrus Paper-Making, Luxor Temple and Esna Lock
Part V :Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Galabia Party
Part VI :Abu Simbel Temples and Nubian Village(Elephantine Island)
Part VII :Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple
Part VIII:Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel, Moon Beach(Ras Sudr), and St. Catherine
Part IX :Mount Sinai, Catherine’s Monastery and Sharm el Sheikh
Part XI :Cairo Food, Saqqara Step Pyramid Complex and Memphis
Part XII :Great Giza Pyramid Complex and Khan el Khalil Bazaar
Europe Travel:
i. Eastern Europe Travel
Part VI: Prague(Czech Republic)
ii. Western Europe Travel
Part I: Germany, Switzerland, France
Part II: France, Belgium, Holland, England
Indonesia Travel:
i. Bali Travel
Italy Travel:
Part V(Final): Verona and Milan
Japan Travel:
Part I: Osaka, Kyoto, Hamamatsu
Part II: Owakudani Valley, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo
Myanmar Travel:
Part I: Yangon, Bagan, Mount Popa
New Zealand Travel:
Portugal Travel:
Singapore Heritage Trail Discovery:
Part I: Chinatown, Little India
Part II: Malay Heritage, Civic District
11. South Africa Travel:
Part I: Air Flight from KLIA to Cape Town, Cape Town Shantytowns
Part II: Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope. A & V Waterfront
Part III: Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa
Part IV: Duiker Island of Seals, Cape Point, Boulders
Part V: Cape Town to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park(Game Drives)
Part VI: Sun City, Union Buildings, Vootrekker Monument
Part VII: Kruger Museum, Church Square, Melrose Museum, Carnivore Restaurant
Final Part: Gold Reef City: Gold Mine Museum
South Korea Travel:
Part II: Sokcho, Everland, Dongdaemum, DMZ, Seoul
Spain Travel:
Thailand Travel:
i. Bangkok, Ayuthaya Travel:
ii. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, The Golden Triangle Travel:
Part I: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, The Golden Triangle
iii. Phuket Travel:
iv. Part I: Thailand (from China Expedition 2013)
Turkey Travel:
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities
Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine
Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City
Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show
Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir
Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque
U.S.A & Canada Travel:
i. East Coast of U.S.A. & Canada
Part I: Philadeiphia, Washington D.C.
Part II: Niagara Falls, Toronto
Part III: Colborne, 1000 Islands, Ottawa
Part VII: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
ii. West Coast of U.S.A.
Part II: San Francisco, Monterey Bay, Las Vegas
Part V: Premium Outlets(S. California)
Part VII: Hollywood Walk of Fame(Los Angeles)
Part VIII: Universal Studios Hollywood
Part IX: Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park
15. Vietnam Travel:
Hanoi:
Part II: Hoa Lo, Tam Coc, Hanoi
END
Turkey Travel Part I: Ancient Troy Cities
Day 1
Sunday, 13 Oct 2019
Departure to Istanbul
Long Journey to Istanbul from Malaysia
At 11.20 p.m. on 13 Oct 2019(Malaysian time and date), the writer, Choo Chaw, and his wife together with 29 Malaysians flew by a Turkish Airlines plane from KLIA, Malaysia, to Istanbul to visit some interesting places in Turkey.
Writer and Wife at KLIA
Writer and wife at KLIA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, getting ready to board a Turkish Airlines plane.
Writer’s Tourmates
Below was the Malaysian group of 31 members(including writer and wife) going to Turkey for a short vacation from 13-22 Oct 2019
Air-flight to Istanbul
Air-flight from KLIA(Kuala Lumpur) to Istanbul(Turkey) takes 10 hours and 30 minutes, and the distance between them is 8383 km.
Location of Istanbul in Turkey
The map below shows the location of Istanbul in Turkey
Day 2
Monday, 14 Oct 2019
Arrival at Istanbul
The Turkish Airlines plane that carried us arrived at Istanbul New Airport, at 5.30 am on 14 Oct 2019(Turkey time and date).
Turkish Airlines Plane
The Turkish Airlines plane in the photo below brought all of us to Istanbul New Airport in Turkey from KLIA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, safely.
New Airport of Turkey
The New Airport in Istanbul opened on 29 Oct 2018 is the second largest in the world after Beijing Daxing International Airport in China which was opened on 25 September, 2019.
The photo below shows the interior of a small part of Istanbul New Airport, Turkey
Tour Manager
Our capable tour group manager, Brian Wong, from a travel agency, Chiu Travel Sdn. Bhd. in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia, would lead us in the Turkey tour.
Turkish Tour Guide
On arrival at Istanbul New Airport, a Turkish tour-guide, Cenmal, welcomed us. He would bring us around in his country during the tour.
Turkish Coach-Driver
Metun, our Turkish coach-driver, would drive us around for several days in Turkey. He was a careful and patient driver.
Coach
Metun’s coach was large, clean and comfortable for the journey in Turkey.
Travel from Istanbul to Canakkale
When we arrived at the Istanbul New Airport, Metun drove us to Canakkale which was 240 km away in the south-west.
Lunch at Troia Restaurant
On the way to Canakkale, we stopped at a restaurant, Troia Restaurant, for lunch.
Writer’s lunch at the restaurant was delicious although it was simple.
Ferry from Eceabat to Canakkale
After lunch we continued our journey. Soon we arrived at Eceabat where we boarded a ferry and crossed Dardanelles Strait to Canakkale City which is 6 km away in 25 minutes.
Eceabat Ferry Pier, Eceabat, Turkey, as shown in the photo below.
Ferry for Passengers and Vehicles
The ferry we boarded was large and sailed smoothly to Canakkale.
Departure to Canakkale
Canakkalle City is 6 km from Eceabat
Writer and wife on a ferry from Eceabat to Canakkale
Arrival at Canakkale
25 minutes later, we arrived at Canakkale ferry terminal and went straight to a waterfront nearby.
From the ferry terminal we saw the Canakkale Waterfront.
Trojan Horse
On the waterfront we were awe-struck by a huge wooden black Trojan Horse. It was used in making a 2004 movie known as “Troy”.
Group Photo
We took an opportunity to take a group photo in front of the black horse for remembrance.
The Trojan Horse Story
According to a Greek mythological story, a Greek army in ancient times failed to capture Troy in Turkey for 11 years. Then they gave a huge wooden horse to the king of Troy as a present. At night the Greek soldiers hidden in the horse appeared and attacked the Troy soldiers. Subsequently, the Greek army captured the place.
Archaeological Ancient Site of Troy(3500 BC-500 AD)
After an hour on the waterfront, we left the Canakkale Waterfront and travelled 27 km to an archaeological ancient site that is known as “Troy”. It is a place where 9 ancient cities were built one on top of each other in a period of 3500 years from 3000 BC until 500 AD.
Entrance of the Site
At the entrance of the site, we queued up to enter the archaeological ancient site of Troy with a fee.
A 42 TL(Turkish Lira) ticket was required for a visitor to enter the site.
Replica of Trojan Horse
After the entrance, there was a replica of a large wooden Trojan Horse that attracted our attraction.
Visitors were allowed to enter the wooden horse and climb up to the top level.
Touring the site of Ancient Cities of Troy
We spent an hour touring the site to see the ruins of different ancient cities of Troy.
Nine Cities of Troy
We learned that there were 9 cities built on top of each other forming a large mound in a long period of 3500 years, i.e. from 3000 BC until 500 AD.
The diagram below shows 9 cities, Troy Cities I-IX, built in different periods from 3000 BC until 500 AD totalling 3500 years.
Picture of Troy IX, the last city of Troy
A picture below shows the reconstruction of the last city of Troy, Troy City IX(85 BC-500 AD).
The photos below show some of the ruins of different cities of Troy in the olden days.
(i) Odeion(a Roman theatre) of Troy IX City(85 BC-500 AD) was built for concerts, lectures and other purposes
(ii) Palace of Troy VI City(1750-1300 BC) in ruin
(iii) Bouleterion(Council-Chamber) of the Greek and Roman Ilion in Troy VIII-IX(720 BC-500 AD)
(iv) Citadel Wall of Troy II-III Cities(2550-2200 BC)
(v) A portion of the ruined walls of Troy VII City(1300-950 BC)
(vi) A partially restored ramp of Troy II fortress(2550-2250 BC)
(vii) Burnt or fired mud-bricks in the Troy II fortifications(2550-2250 BC)
(viii) Trench and wall in the foreground of ancient Troy, and fertile land and Aegean Sea beyond.
(ix) A partially-restored well built in 300 BC in the City of Troy VIII(720-85 BC)
(x) Storage vessels for olive oil, wine, grains and water. Discarded ones were used as burial urns since the early Bronze Age(3000-1200 BC)
Kolin Hotel, Canakkale
After spending an hour touring the archaeological site of ancient Troy, we went to Canakkale for dinner and stayed at Kolin Hotel for a night on 14 Oct 2019.
Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar
Turkey Travel Part II: Asklepion
Filed under: Asklepion, House of Virgin Mary, Turkey Travel
Day 3
Tuesday, 15 Oct 2019
In the morning of 15 Oct 2019, we left Canakkale and travelled to Asklepion, an ancient hospital, in Pergamon hear Bergama.
Olive Product Shop
On the way, we stopped at a shop, “adrapure”, that was selling olive oil products.
A salesgirl introduced the olive oil products to our tourmates.
The following products were for sale at the shop.
(i) Olive oil
(ii) Beauty care products that used olive oil
(iii) Bathing soaps
Olive Trees
There were few olive trees outside the shop.
Olive Fruits
As I was walking in the garden, I noticed that all the trees were bearing fruits and tasted a few of them. They were bitter in taste.
Picking Olive Fruits
There was a picture in the shop that showed the farmers picking olive fruits.
Asklepion
Soon we left the shop and continued our journey the ancient hospital or healing centre in Pergamon near Bergama. It is known as Asklepion that was established in the 4th. Century BC in dedication to the Greek God of Healing and Medicine, Asclepius.
We noticed that many parts of the place were in ruin.
Drawing of the Actual Hospital
The drawing below shows the actual hospital or healing centre in the olden days.
Writer and wife visited Asklepion, the healing centre in the olden days, on 15 Oct 2019.
Sacred Way
Sacred Way was a long path to the entrance of the hospital or healing centre. It was there sick persons were checked if they were qualified to be admitted into the centre. For examples, the healing centre would not accept persons who were near death and pregnant women, as it had to keep its reputation.
Colonnade
Colonnade with missing roof for patients to go to the semi-circular Theatre for shows or entertainment in the olden days.
Group Photo
Writer and tourmates took a group photo at the Colonnade for remembrance on 15 Oct 2019.
Roman Theatre
Patients watched shows in the Roman Theatre at Asklepion for relaxation in the olden days.
View of the Sacred Way, Colonnade and Theatre
A view of the Sacred Way, Colonnade and the Roman Theatre as seen from Asklepion, the healing centre that was established in the 4th. Century BC.
Miracle Water
The underground water was used to treat patients in the olden days. Later, that miracle water was found to contain radioactive substances. The water was still flowing while we were there.
Entrance to Treatment Rooms
An entrance of Asklepion leading to the treatment rooms for patients in the olden days.
A Tunnel
Interior of the tunnel leading to the treatment rooms for patients in the olden days.
Underground Treatment Rooms
Underground treatment rooms were used for patients to dream in the olden days. Doctors or priests would then treat the patients according to their dreams.
Treatment rooms and sleeping chambers for patients to dream in the olden days are located underground.
Ruined Treatment Building
Ruined treatment building for patients in the olden days at Asklepion, Pergamon near Bergama.
Treatment Rooms
Treatment rooms for patients in the olden days at Asklepion, a healing centre dedicated to the god of healing and medicine, Asklepius.
Pool for Treatment
One of the three pools used for treating patients in the olden days at Asklepionin in Pergamon near Bergama.
Acropolis
View of Acropolis on a hill where kings lived in the olden days as seen from the medical centre, Asklepion.
Virgin Mary’s House
Later, we travelled 131 km from Asklepion in Pergamon to a place in the south where Virgin Mary’s house was thought to be located. It is on Mount Koressus that is 7 km from Selcuk, Turkey.
Path to the House of Virgin Mary
Group Photo
Writer and tourmates visited the House of Virgin Mary, a Catholic shrine, on Mount Koressus which is 7 km from Selcuk, Turkey, on 15 Oct 2019.
Entering the House of Virgin Mary
Visitors were entering the House of Virgin Mary where photographing was prohibited inside, while writer’s wife was standing in front of the house.
A Model Stable
A model stable near the House of Virgin Mary showed the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, while her husband, Joseph, was watching.
Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem in Israel over 2000 years ago.
Statue of Virgin Mary
A statue of Virgin Mary was seen near Virgin Mary’s house.
Open Air Place of Worship
There was an open air place of worship near the house.
Statue of St. John
Statue of Saint John, the apostle, was spotted near Virgin Mary’s house. It was believed that St. John had brought Virgin Mary to the house on Mount Koressus which is 7 km from Selcuk, Turkey.
Miracle Spring Water
There was spring water from taps near Virgin Mary’s house, and Catholic pilgrims believed that it had power of healing and fertility.
Wishing Wall
Adjacent to the spring water there was a wall stuck with countless number of papers with visitors’ wishes.
Tour Guide’s Wish
Our Turkish tour-guide, Cenmal, had written a wish on a piece of paper and stuck it on the wall behind him 18 months ago. He wished that Virgin Mary would help him to get a Lamborghini car in two years’ time. He had another 6 months to get his wish granted. We wished him good luck.
Charisma De Luxe Hotel
Finally, we left the House of Virgin Mary and travelled to Kusadasi where we stayed at a 5-star hotel, Charisma De Luxe Hotel, for a night on 15 Oct 2019.
The hotel had a beautiful view of Aegean Sea and a quarter-shaped swimming pool.
Beautiful Sunset
When we reached the hotel we were fortunate to see an awesome sunset over Aegean Sea on 15 Oct 2019.
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Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar
Turkey Travel Part III: Ephesus
Day 4
Wednwsday, 16 Oct 2019
Kusadasi to Pamukkale
In the morning of Day 4, writer and tourmates left Kusadasi and travelled 190 km east to Pamukkale.
Time taken to travel from Kusadasi to Pamukkale is 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Writer’s Breakfast
Writer’s simple but nutritious breakfast at Charisma De Luxe Hotel on 16 Oct 2019
A Lamb-Leather Product Shop
On the way to Pamukkale, we stopped at a lamb-leather product shop near the hotel for a while.
At the shop, we were ushered in a room to watch a catwalk fashion show.
Catwalk Fashion Show
In the show, house-models walked down a catwalk showing off the shop’s lamb-leather jackets.
Catwalk Fashion Show by Tourmates
Then some of our tourmates were chosen to walk down the catwalk showing off the shop’s jackets.
Saleman Talk
After the catwalk fashion show, we were ushered in another room where a salesman explained the quality and designs of the lamb leather jackets.
Showroom
After the explanation he asked us to choose and buy the jackets in a showroom.
Few Bought the Jackets
A few tourmates bought the jackets.
Ancient Ephesus Archaeological Site
Then we travelled to an ancient city which was 19 km north of Kusadasi. Located near Selcuk in Izmir, it is known as Ancient Ephesus Archaeological Site.
Diagram of the Ancient Ephesus Archaeological Site
A diagram below shows the ancient Ephesus archaeological site.
Deep Harbour
Ephesus was a Greek settlement and founded in the 10th. Century BC. It flourished in trade due to the deep River Kucukmenderes harbour. In 15th. Century AD it was abandoned as the river became shallow.
Youngest, Cutest Tourmate
As our tour-guide was talking about the history of ancient city of Ephesus, our youngest, cutest tourmate was listening with full concentration.
Entrance Fee
A fee was required to enter the ancient Ephesus archaeological site, a Roman City in 133 BC.
Ruins of Ancient City of Ephesus in Photos
Below are photos showing some of the ruins we saw in the ancient city of Ephesus on 16 Oct 2019.
(i) Ruined Varius Bath that was built in 200 AD.
(ii) Part of the ruined site of the ancient city of Ephesus.
(iii) Bouleuterion that was built in 100 AD for council meetings, musical performances and contests.
(iv) Curetes Street, the main street of the ancient city of Ephesus
(v) Relief of the Goddess of Victory, Nike
(vi) Headless statue of a Roman figure on Curetes Street
(vii) A relief showing the symbol of medicine, a staff with two snakes entwining it
(viii) A relief of a man with a staff of Asclepius. Asclepius was a Greek mythological God of healing and medicine.
(ix) Fountain of Trajan was built in 114 AD in dedication to a Roman emperor, Trajan(53-117 AD).
(x) Terraced houses of wealthy people on the main street, Curetes Street
(xi) Public toilet on Curetes Street
(xii) Inside the public toilet on Curetes Street
(xiii) Hadrian’s three storeyed gate built in 117 AD. Two upper storeys are now missing.
(xiv) Drawing of the actual Hadrian’s three-storeyed gate that was built in 117 AD
(xv) Temple of Hadrian built in dedication to a Roman emperor, Hadrian(76-138 AD)
(xvi) Partially restored Library of Celsus was built in 114-117 AD by Celsus’ son in dedication to his father who was a senator.
Photo of Writer and Wife
Writer and wife were in front of the Library of Celsus in the ancient city of Ephesus on 16 Oct 2019.
Group Photo
Writer and tourmates took a group photo in front of Library of Celsus in ancient city of Ephesus for remembrance on 16 Oct 2019.
Next Visit to Hierapolis and Pamukkale Travertine
Later, we all went to another ancient city known as Hierapolis in Pamukkale. We would visit a unique physical landscape known as Pamukkale Travertine near Hierapolis.
(continued on next page)
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Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar
Turkey Travel Part IV: Hierapolis & Pamukkale Travertine
Filed under: Hierapolis, Pamukkale Travertine, Turkey Travel
(continued)
Day 4
Wednesday, 16 Oct 2019
Visiting Hierapolis
After visiting the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus City, we travelled to another archaeological site of an ancient city known as Hierapolis in Pamukkale in Turkey. It is 190 km east of Kusadasi and 600 km south of Istanbul.
Journey from Kusadasi to Pamukkale
Entrance to Hierapolis
On arrival at the ancient city of Hierapolis, we entered the site with tickets. The city covered a large area but it is in ruin now. Most of it is covered with soil and excavation has been carried out to expose its buildings.
City of Hierapolis(200 BC-1400 AD)
The picture below shows the City of Hierapolis from 200 BC until 1400 AD.
Hierapolis Within a Fortress
The ancient City of Hierapolis was within a fortress with a few gates. The photo below shows one of them.
Ruins Over a Large Area
The ancient city had existed for 1600 years from 200 BC until 1400 AD. Its ruins spread over a large area and most of them are buried in the ground by soil from the surrounding high ground.
Ruins of Hierapolis in Photos
The photos below show some of the ruins in the ancient city of Hierapolis.
(i) The Theatre was built in the reign of a Roman Emperor, Hadrian(76-138 AD), in the ancient city of Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Turkey
(ii) Part of the ruined city of Hirapolis
(iii) Part of the ruined Middle Age fortress on the plateau of Hierapolis City
(iv) An ancient building of Hierapolis is now a museum that houses the artefacts of the ancient city.
Abandoned Excavation
The photo below shows ruins that have been buried deep in the ground and excavation was abandoned long ago.
Pamukkale Travertine
Next to the ancient city of Hierapolis is the Pamukkale Travertine. Semicircular pools have been formed on the slope of a plateau. They are filled with a mixture of hot spring water and rainwater during wet seasons. Most of them are empty during dry seasons.
Semicircular Pools
The hot spring contains calcareous salts which then deposit as travertine on the slope of the plateau forming semicircular pools.
Large Pool
Water flows down the slope of the plateau and into a large pool below in Pamukkale Town.
Feet Soaking in Pools
Visitors to Pamukkale Travertine had a good time soaking their feet in some pools that contained hot spring water on 16 Oct 2019.
Visitors’ Shoes
They took off their shoes and left them on wooden steps before they went down to the pools that contained hot spring water.
Writer and Wife Soaking Their Feet, Too
Writer and wife soaked their feet in a pool of spring water, too, but the water had turned cold on 16 Oct 2019.
Antique Pool or Cleopatra’s Pool
There is a thermal pool containing mineral-rich hot spring water near Pamukkale Travertine. It is known as Antique Pool or Cleopartra’s Pool. The water is believed to have healing properties for many ailments.
Entrance to Antique Pool near Pamukkale Travertine
Visitors in the Pool
Visitors were enjoying themselves in the pool of hot spring water hoping that their health problems would be solved on 16 Oct 2019.
Pam Thermal Hotel
At about 6 in the evening, we left Pamukkale Travertine and went for dinner at a hotel, Pam Thermal Hotel, in Pamukkale Town. Later, we stayed a night at the hotel on 16 Oct 2019.
Cold and Hot Spring Water Pools
This hotel has a cold and hot spring water pools at the back for guests to enjoy.
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Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar