Cappadocia is like nowhere else I have ever been on earth. It was used in parts of the Star-
Wars film: on Tattoine. The desert houses that look like fairy mushrooms. It is basically a series of valleys were volcanic rock has formed and over centuries the loose sediment around it has eroded to leave wonderful and surreal blobs, valleys, of rock. It is like some, weird, volcanic LSD-fuelled, geographic topiary. Everywhere around you are the most amazing formations with windows and doors protruding from them. You could almost be forgiven for thinking yourself in Bedrock and expecting to see Fred Flinstone yabbadabba'doing passed you on his way home to kiss Wilma.
Wars film: on Tattoine. The desert houses that look like fairy mushrooms. It is basically a series of valleys were volcanic rock has formed and over centuries the loose sediment around it has eroded to leave wonderful and surreal blobs, valleys, of rock. It is like some, weird, volcanic LSD-fuelled, geographic topiary. Everywhere around you are the most amazing formations with windows and doors protruding from them. You could almost be forgiven for thinking yourself in Bedrock and expecting to see Fred Flinstone yabbadabba'doing passed you on his way home to kiss Wilma.Indeed the place we elected to stay in was called none other than the Flintstones hostel. We got some reasonable rooms and the shower was hot and had pressure - something you rarely get when travelling.
We spent a fantastic four days here. I really cannot say enough about this place. Some people 
do not like it so much, but I absolutely adored it. Maybe it was because it was out of season and it was not overrun by tourists. Whatever the reason I found it charming and infinitely beguiling. Also we bumped into Brian and Jetta again and spent a lovely three days hanging out with them. We did an amazing dawn balloon ride over Cappodocia, one which culminated in us crashing into a tree in a graveyard; all for no extra cost!
do not like it so much, but I absolutely adored it. Maybe it was because it was out of season and it was not overrun by tourists. Whatever the reason I found it charming and infinitely beguiling. Also we bumped into Brian and Jetta again and spent a lovely three days hanging out with them. We did an amazing dawn balloon ride over Cappodocia, one which culminated in us crashing into a tree in a graveyard; all for no extra cost! We hiked through pigeon valley and got completely lost. We visited the underground cities north of Goreme and spent a morning wandering and wondering around tiny passages where the Turkish troglodytes spent there winters hanging out in. I kept an eye out for the seven dwarves but I just kept bumping into over-bearing tour guides. We drank some fantastic local wine and lived on a staple diet of koftes. Unfortunately the owner of the hostel seemed to be suffering from manic depression with the onset of winter. He spent all of his time wrapped in a bundle of blankets in a graceful, woe-begone, state of melancholy. I think he would have made a great 
hamlet. This made breakfast a little tricky most mornings. It took him three days to rustle up a proper Turkish breakfast. Marcus finally convinced me to eat an omelette. That was pretty tough going, I have to say. I have included a picture of a traditional Turkish breakfast. Marcus, unfortunately, does not come as standard. For this you must pay extra.
hamlet. This made breakfast a little tricky most mornings. It took him three days to rustle up a proper Turkish breakfast. Marcus finally convinced me to eat an omelette. That was pretty tough going, I have to say. I have included a picture of a traditional Turkish breakfast. Marcus, unfortunately, does not come as standard. For this you must pay extra.After three days we had to say good-bye to Jetta and Brian as they left for Istanbul. They are heading to warmer climates - to Goa, in India. Maybe we will see them there yet.
The final day we spent mountain biking all around Goreme. We cycled through the Red Valley, 
and the Rose Valley - up to the villages in the north region. It was a great bit of exercise and despite falling off a lot, we had a great time, it was a fine, clear, crisp, day and the sights we saw were pretty spectacular: I have included the link here to the pictures in Facebook.
and the Rose Valley - up to the villages in the north region. It was a great bit of exercise and despite falling off a lot, we had a great time, it was a fine, clear, crisp, day and the sights we saw were pretty spectacular: I have included the link here to the pictures in Facebook.So this is my last blog of Turkey - our month here has come to a close. I have really fallen in love with this amazing country. We have barely explored one third of it. I would go east and north someday: to the Karsadeniz and to Mt Ararat. But it is getting cold now, so we have a new destination. Up until now this has mainly been an extended holiday - following the tourist routes. Tonight we strike south to Antackya and then to the border and into Syria. Our next adventure. This is where the fun really begins.
No comments:
Post a Comment