Day 21 - Cappadocia

Today the weather is a little better, no snow at least. Still cold but the sun is shining. While we had breakfast and you could see the balloons flying over the valley so looks good for me tomorrow.

Today we had a wonderful day exploring the unique region and its landscapes. Our Orhan our guide did a great job keeping us ahead of the other tourist buses and when we got to the Open Museum of the rock carved Churches in Goreme we manage to be the first bus. We had a great time exploring these as there was no one ahead of us so we really see them well and see the ancient frescoes.

From here we went to the view point of the village and got some great photos of this amazing area. We then visited the Avanos pottery studio where we saw the great skills of the master potters and painters from this region. The amount of work that goes into the pieces is extraordinary especially seeming after weeks of painting the second fire can crack the piece. That would be heart breaking. We manage to spend too much money here but our purchases are unique to the area and will provide great memoires of our trip in Turkey. Mark and Noel did not like this

From here we visited the underground city, Hobbit Central. Derinkuyu Underground City is an ancient multi-level underground city of the Median Empire. Extending to a depth of approximately 60 m, it had 7 levels and was large enough to shelter approximately 20,000 people together with their livestock and food stores. It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is one of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia. The underground city could be closed from the inside with large stone doors to keep the enemy out. Each floor could be closed off separately. Apparently there was also an underground tunnel to another village 9km away which is mind boggling.

 

After lunch we visited the picturesque Pigeon Valley where there are 200 pigeon houses carved in the rocks. The do this to collect the poop for fertiliser, not a job I want. From here we headed to the Fairy Chimneys. Volcanic eruptions created this surreal moonscape, the lava flows formed tuff rock, which wind and rain sculpted into sinuous valleys with curvy cliff faces and pointy fairy chimneys.

We have a night out tonight drinks included so better behave as I have to get up a 5.30am for my balloon ride. We are off to a folklore show in an underground cave which will also have belly dancers. Should be fun. Look forward to telling you all about tomorrow, fingers crossed the weather is good. J&N