I still remember the first time when I saw the photo of Pamukkale, the known white "cotton lock of Turkey".

It was 2014 at the end, and my friend offered that we met in Turkey. I am based in the USA, and it lived in China at that time therefore, it was the fine average point. I was already familiar both with Cappadocia and with Istanbul, but what really to draw my attention while the research of Turkey was the photo of Pamukkale: a collection of bright blue puddles of water among an untouched, all-white landscape.

Very much to my alarm, I couldn't visit Pamukkale on that trip. A little I knew, I will return in Turkey again several years later, this time on Turkey the Captured tour with the Fearless Travel. On this trip I understood the desire of visit of the impressive cotton lock.

I recognize that I sometimes visited world famous places which were small not delighting …. It happens not necessarily because of the place so how I made an impression in the head. Sometimes after vision of hundreds of photos and video of the direction, I unintentionally create its what these unrealistic expectations, will resemble. Of course, I am inevitably disappointed.

I worried that online will be Pamukkale the victim of images. Fortunately it didn't take place. Pamukkale in real life I was everything that I imagined, etc. I completely understand why it is the most popular place of interest of Turkey.

What to be Pamukkale precisely?

More than thousands of years filled with calcite of water created the UNESCO world heritage site of Pamukkale, a part of larger ancient city of Hirepolis. Pamukkale which transfers to "the cotton lock" includes the natural mineral pools created among the bright deposits of bicarbonate of calcium leading to an unreal landscape. Fossil white deposits are allocated unlike the natural bright blue pools created in layers, almost like as if purposely. It will really eliminate your breath.

Tempted? Inspired? Here, what you have to know before visit:

It will be crowded

Before visit I didn't know that Pamukkale - the most popular place of interest of Turkey. I made Turkey the Captured tour in the middle of July therefore, I am a half expected Pamukkale to be empty, especially considering we went in the middle of the day. I was surprised to face hundreds of people in the pool. July - definitely popular month to visit, despite a summer heat.

However crowds - all internal part pools. If you look for a good photoshoot for journalists, you walk on the party where you will find that many blank spaces enjoy a view of pools and also a surrounding landscape.

To avoid crowds almost completely, plan to arrive in Pamukkale how soon, the place opens. Bter the version of pools powdered with snow instead.

You have to pack things slightly (and to bring the swimwear),

There is no place to save your property in pools therefore, you will have to transport that you bring with you. Leave the unusual camera in hotel and bring just bases in a waterproof day bag. Sunglasses, sunblock cream, water and sandals - need! If you inquire in capture of falling in one of pools, then you want to bring the bathing suit and change of linen forward also.

You can't wear shoes in pools

To minimize damage to pools, visitors have to go barefoot, so be convinced to bring footwear which you can easily take off. I recognize, this rule almost forced me to reconsider an entrance to pools. I am clumsy, and pools incredibly slippery and have many areas with sharp limestone.

Plus, I had the camera and phone with me as I really wanted to receive good photos. Clever takes the hint: you don't hurry going on cliffside and act carefully. Fortunately I managed to make it in and without falling.

Water has healing powers …

…, at least, it is what locals, speak. Minerals help with the pools created by underground sources of hot water as speak with all types of diseases, especially digestive and problems of the address. Surely put on your bathing suit and lower your all body in fully to use it! At least your skin will feel that you just came back from magnificent Spa.

Surrounding ruins shouldn't be passed

Whether you know that Pamukkale it is adjacent to the ancient city of Hirepolis? I didn't make also, but fortunately our Fearless guide, Fatih, gave us an internal scoop on Hierapolis and areas has to - visits.

Hierapolis was the big city once, but now has a lot of well saved ruins, many of which are almost empty. I didn't joke when I told that all crowds in pools.

Recently restored amphitheater - easily one of the most impressive which I saw - ever. It costs near the extensive cemetery. Nearby, there is also a museum of archeology for those which especially are interested in the history of the area.

You don't spend all the time in pools. Ruins of Hierapolis are included in an entrance fee and shouldn't be really passed!

I am so grateful that despite numerous photos I saw online, it was Pamukkale even more fascinating, than I expected.

Precisely my visit of Pamukkale, reminded it to me last summer that there are many unforgettable and magic places there in the world. I was lucky can continue to investigate them.