Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Pamuk is Turkish for 'cotton' while kale means 'castle,' and Pamukkale is an astounding Cotton Castle of sorts.  A World Heritage site, Pamukkale is characterized by its travertine terraces that visitors are allowed to explore.  It's like being allowed to sit in the pools of Yellowstone.  At the top of the site are the ruins of Hierapolis.  We had been excited to have the opportunity to "swim amongst Roman ruins" but the site is heavily commercialized and we suspected that the submerged ruins were reproductions.