September 2012

In Rhodes we were enchanted by the huge medieval castle, the largest of it's kind, draped over a section of the island. Built at the end of the crusades, this is a classic fairy tale castle complete with parapets and turrets, you can imagine the knights of St John roaming the same roads centuries before.

Finally crossing to Marmaris (after several days of apparent bad weather, although we were out sunning ourselves) we were instantly enamoured by the beauty of Mediterranean Turkey, it's green, stunning, full of mountains and beautiful coastline. Navigating our way through the incredible Turkish bus system, with well groomed stewards keeping the buses well groomed and handing out wet wipes and washing windows at every road stop. We're blown away by the sheer size of Pamukkale, or the cotton castle. From the bottom it seems the entire cliff side is covered in travertines, with the calcified formations falling over each other, and expanding the further up you go. Walking over the calcium deposits feels like you're walking over cuttlefish, with warm water trickling over our toes. Its a slow climb as the view is so impressive and changes every few feet, the impossibly white travertines, crystal blue pools, snow capped mountains in the distance and stretches of green farmland. There are shoe police with whistles to ensure that everyone complies with the barefoot regulations, its usually the oldies who lapse and is funny to watch them being pulled up.

Exploring the enormous ruins of the Hieropolis, an ancient Roman city, wild poppies wavering in the wind, reminding us of Anzac day fast approaching.

Toasting our feet after our adventures