When we went on our eleven-day safari a couple of years ago. It was great to be able to spend so much time up-close and personal with all of the various animals. One thing that quickly became apparent was that animals of all kinds showed affection to one another. Knowing that their lives were in constant threat due to different predators, the environment, and other circumstances, it is clear that the various animals relied on each other, and families were extremely close, especially the lions.
Whispering in His Ear?Absolutely AdorableDo Birds Kiss?Elephants a Notoriously Affectionate ParentsCheetah Siblings Playing Tag
It wasn’t just the mother’s affection for their offspring, but it was also the playful affection among the siblings and even that of their mates. It was a common theme amongst all of the different species of animals that saw throughout our time in the African grasslands. We have looked back at photographs from our safari many different times and the photographs showing the loving interactions amongst the animals are certainly some of our favorite memories. We were very fortunate to catch some truly adorable moments.
Mating SeasonRhinos are Caring Parents as WellThey Have Each Other’s BackMother and Cub SnugglingCaring Cubs
Of all of the interesting places that we visited during our trip to Kusadasi was the day trip that we took to see Pamukkale. It is both a destination for locals and visitors to spend time in the soothing hot springs or to glide off of the cliffs in a hang-glider as well as the location of several ancient ruins. If you take a tour to Pamukkale, feel free to bring a bathing suit and relax in the warm waters, which are rich with minerals and are said to provide healing qualities. You can also just take your shoes off and walk through the shallow pools that overlook the valley below.
Historic AmphitheatreCleopatra Pool at PamukkaleView of the Calcium, Hot Spring, and the Valley BelowSome of the Ruins at the SiteThe Two of Us Enjoying the Day at Pamukkale
We would definitely recommend making the hot springs your last stop during a tour of Pamukkale as you will do quite a bit of walking as you must walk all of the way to one end of the ruins and then return back to the parking area, which can take an hour or two. The ruins themselves are not the most impressive, but the ancient amphitheater is probably the highlight of the sites that you will see. The stunning pools with their white cliffs made up from the calcium from the water is what makes this location a worthwhile visit. In addition to the gorgeous springs along the cliff, there is also the Cleopatra Pool where you will find the largest number of bathers enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Lots of Crowds at the Hot SpringsAnother View of Cleopatra PoolPeople Looking the Town in the ValleyRuin on the HillClose Up of the Calcium
We were fortunate to have several days in the port city of Kusadasi, so taking the day trip to Pamukkale was certainly worthwhile. We would recommend going to Ephesus and Aphrodisias before going to Pamukkale, but it was definitely an interesting destination to visit. As with many of the sites in southwestern Turkey, it is a World Heritage Site, making it a popular location for tourists to visit.
The Stage in the AmphitheatreMore RuinsThe Scenery was DramaticStatue of Poseidon Mostly Restored Building
After a week on the Aegean coast, we have spent the last few days in Istanbul. To say that it has been overwhelming would be an understatement, but it has been truly amazing. Later today we head to Bulgaria for the final leg of our trip. The sights, sounds, and food have been incredible, but the people that we have met have made it even more memorable.
Dome Inside of the Blue MosqueHagia SophiaSampling FoodFountain in the Topkapi Palace
