Visiting Pamukkale Thermal Water Springs In Turkey

We have visited sulphurous thermal water (STW) bath pools in Tbilisi, Georgia and Andorra. We noticed positive effects on arthritis and eczema (atopic dermatitis) and were looking for similar baths in Turkey. However, not all thermal water hot springs are the same. Pamukkale waters are not sulphurous, although warm (39°C/102°F) outdoor pools felt nice when the temperature was close to freezing. Pamukkale thermal waters are muddy, radioactive and mineral rich but lack the special effects of sulphurous water.

Living without winters is luxurious

We have had the luxury of living without winters almost two decades. The freezing temperatures outdoors are not really an issue if you have warm clothes. The problems arise from indoor heating and dry air caused by sub-zero temperatures. There is no moisture in freezing air.

Although we were in Turkey less than a week, our bodies started to adjust to dry air. Skin felt paper thin, throat tight, nose itching and running. We figured out that the reason was not so much cold outdoor weather but heating. This year we have used heating only a few times for a few hours in the evenings when it has been really cold, but never at night when sleeping. In Turkish hotels there was heating around the clock which triggered the unpleasant effects.

In the beginning of our journey in New Zealand we were wondering how people cope without heating the same way we are now wondering how people cope with heating and why they stay in cold areas that require it. Apparently heating is an acquired taste that can be unlearned.