April 11, 2024 Hierapolis, Laodicea & Colossae

April 11, 2024  Hierapolis, Laodicea & Colossae

From our itinerary - Hierapolis, meaning "Sacred City," was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the 1st century. According to tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was likely the hot springs of Hierapolis (in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae) combined to bring application to the "lukewarm" Laodiceans (Rev 3:14-22). This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13). Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit, including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Nearby Colossae is well known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. 

Ronnie was kind enough to personalize our day again for me. We're loving this trip, but must admit that we're also pretty exhausted. It was a great day, though!

Ronnie -Today we did an unscheduled hot-air balloon ride over Hierapolis. A mini-bus picked us up from the hotel at 7:15 and 15 minutes later dropped us off at the launch site. A pilot, along with his female co-pilot (his girlfriend?) manned the balloon. The ground crew added an extra propane tank and eleven of us hopped into a large gondola. With its gas flame making a roar like a mighty beast awakening from a nap, the balloon lifted off. In a matter of moments we were high over the farm fields surrounding the ruins of the city below. 

 

a short walk to the balloon field

 

firing up the balloon for take off

pilot and co-pilot (pastor in background)

 

The sky was filled with perhaps 20 to 30 other balloons, but soon we pretty much has the sky to ourselves. It was a beautiful morning with a slight breeze. Later, the pilot flew over a resort and people came streaming out of their rooms to wave at the balloon. We waved back of course, but they couldn’t understand our shouts of “Good morning!” And neither could we understand their response, “Gunaydin!”

 

up, up and away!

 

The pastor gave a devotion where he compared the heat of flame lifting the balloon to the fire of the Holy Spirit indwelling believers. We were carried along by the wind while riding in the balloon. Likewise, the Spirit guides each day as Christians.

Shortly after the message, the pilot asked us to assume our landing positions (squatting and holding on to some ropes), but he couldn’t land. The chase truck and trailer were nowhere in sight. He climbed high again and the winds returned us to a different site. We spotted the chase crew below but were unable to make a landing because of power lines and trees. On his third try with the pilot yelling and the ground crew giving chase on foot, we almost landed in a grape vineyard. However, the ropes were lowered and the crew of four pulled the balloon toward the waiting trailer and away from the vineyard. Yay! We were on the ground and climbed out to celebrate, have a glass of non-alcoholic champagne and receive a flight certificate. 

 

a bird's eye view

 

cruising at altitude

 

 a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves and farm land

 

After a quick trip back to the hotel, we ate a late breakfast and climbed aboard our tour bus for a ride to Laodicea. Paul mentions the city in Colossians 4:13 along with Hierapolis. Of course, the Laodicean church was a recipient of a “letter” from the Apostle John in Revelation 3:14-22. The Laodicean city was very wealthy and perhaps had a population of 60,000 - 100,000 people.

The 1st century church was chided by John for being lukewarm. The pastor spoke by the restored portion of an aqueduct that delivered hot water from the hot springs in Hierapolis and cold water from a nearby, snow covered mountain. Mixing the two would have made for lukewarm water. He compared that church to the modern American church.

 

Our bus made a quick stop at the site of Colossae but no archeological restoration has been done on it. Funding is needed in case you’re interested!

approaching ruins of Laodicea with our guide "Art"

so many ruins!

baptistry built into the floor

I cannot stop photographing the wild poppies!

I forget who this "god" was

they are everywhere!

one of two large amphitheaters at Laodecia (one to catch morning breeze, other to catch evening breeze)

Stopped for a short bathroom/snack break, we tried a Turkish "quesadilla". We watched the lady prepare it by cooking large sheets of phyllo dough on a rounded, hot griddle, then adding parsley, onions and some type of white cheese (feta). It was somewhat tasty, but not as much flavor as the Mexican quesadillas we're used to at home.

making a Turkish "quesadilla"

enjoying a quick snack and bathroom break

Our bus took us back to the Aegean coast to a large, modern city of Kusadasi. With the ending of Ramadan, many Turkish people enjoy a three day vacation, so the roads were packed and we had a long ride. We arrived around sunset and checked into our hotel right across the street from the coast. The City is packed with many locals a few tourists. A cruise ship in the harbor left port as we ate dinner on the top floor of the hotel. Tomorrow we tour Ephesus.

many locals celebrating the end of Ramadan

sunset over the Agean Sea from the top floor of our hotel

 

Footnote from Jan - There are only 12 of us on this journey, plus the pastor and our Turkish guide. During the 3.5 hour bus ride today, we read, sleep or visit. Our guide is happy to answer any questions that we ask as we ride along. She uses a microphone so it's easy to hear. We see fields of wheat growing, and many grape and olive vineyards. There is much agriculture here and Turkey is known for its apricots, grapes, olives, figs, pomegranates, tangerines, oranges, strawberries, etc. Compared to the US Dollar or Euro, their prices are also cheaper. But then again, the average person doesn't make as much in this country either.