Turkey: Pamukkale
One of the top attractions in Turkey – Pamukkale – is truly a wonder of the world! It’s surreal and otherworldly, a massive mountain pa snowwhite travertine terraces and hotspring water cascades down and forming natural pools. Pamukkale actually comes from two Turkish words: “pamuk” meaning “cotton” and “kale” meaning “castle”. The entire mountain slope is actually just an accumulation of pure dazzling white calcite, created by calcium deposits the same way stalactites are formed in limestone caves with water slowly dripping over the surfaces. Calcite accumulations form terraces creating natural pools with water overflowing them. It’s absolutely stunning and surreal and otherworldly. You have to walk barefoot around the calcite not to damage it, and while usually jam-packed with tourists, it was fairly empty these days.
