We left Antayla Sunday morning and had the most beautiful drive as we headed north east to Pamukkale. We had to cross through the mountains again although this passage was not as high or as rugged. What surprised me was that in every valley where there was soil there were crops growing. Small fields with hay or grain or vegetables.
We made a stop at Aphrodisias which is one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey, dating back as early as 5800 BC. There we saw magnificent marble sculpture and the site where the Temple of Aphrodite later became a Christian basilica. It was impressive for its history but also for its beautiful setting. The plain were is is situated is surrounded by a ring of mountains and hills. The countryside in the vicinity is farmland producing almonds, oranges, apricots, pomegranates, figs, and cherries.
Our two night stay was a lovely hotel in a very rural area at Pamukkale – a spot known for its spectacular white travertine terraces. The calcium rich water has formed shelves, pools and stalactites which form a huge white wall above the town. We soaked our feet in the pools on the travertine. Once back at the hotel we were able to soak our whole bodies in the hotel’s warm thermal pools.
Yesterday morning we toured Laodicea – this was fascinating because it is one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation but also because it is an active archeological restoration. We saw them working at the recreation of the ancient Roman structures and saw the development as the ancient streets are dug out of the soil! This town dates back as far as 261 BCE. In the early centuries after Christ it became one of the chief seats of Christianity.
Today we drove to Izmir which in Biblical times was known as Smyrna. This city is one of the oldest on the Mediterranean Basin (established around 5000 years ago) but today it is a bustling, active, city – the third largest city in Turkey. In the first century CE it became the earliest centre of Christianity.
Driving to Izmir took us through hectares and hectares of vineyards and olive groves. We stopped at the ruins of the church of Philadelphia, one of the Seven churches of Revelation and then at Sardis where we saw not only the ruins of a Christian church (we sang Holy Holy Holy there) but also the ruins of what had been a large and active synagogue in ancient times.
Tonight and tomorrow night we are staying a a very posh hotel and so are feeling extremely spoiled. Just the same we are starting to think of home as we know the tour is coming into its last few days. We are looking forward to tomorrow when we tour Ephesus – that will be that last of the Seven Churches we will visit.
