Turkey - Cappadocia - Day 2

Another super early rise ( I think anything after 5 30 is a sleep in ) to get our hot air balloon ride.

Hot air ballooning is very much part of the visit to Cappadocia. Around 50 were up in the sky this morning, really a beautiful sight. This is our first ever balloon ride. Initially when we went up I could not understand the hype around the ride as we seemed to be hovering over towns but once we got into the valleys it was marvelous. Our pilot went quite low, so we were flying around the rock formations, could have touched them. Loved the ride. Had champagne to celebrate ( it is also our official wedding anniversary , registered in Sri Lanka ) .

Next we got on a tour to see the Northern part of Cappadocia ( the red tour ). First stop the Uchisar castle, built into the rocks, sadly not allowed to climb into it.

Second the Goreme Open Air Museum. Spent a lot of time here, there are multiple small churches built into the rocks . Most of them have frescos from the 4th century, one is rumoured to have the footprints of Jesus and is aptly named Sandals Church.

After lunch we visited an old Greek village, now abandoned ( saw a satellite dish so obviously somebody is still there) and quite crumbly in some places. People lived there from the 4th Century upto the 1920s when the people exchange program of Turkey removed Greeks from Turkey.

Again the commercial aspect of the tour, pottery factory. I actually like these bits as we see and learn about the trades that are popular in Turkey.

Pasabagi Fairy Chimneys were next, an area full of beautiful rocks. A few that you could climb into, one had two sets of ladders and then a narrow vertical passage with holds cut into it, sadly was not game enough to try the passage.

Then the Devrent Imagination valley, there are rocks that look like camels, penguins, mushrooms, sea lions, Napoleon's hat and more, depending on the depth or craziness of your imagination.

Some local wine tasting before the last stop of the day to another valley , quick stop , ran up took some pictures, then left.

Obviously the day had not been full enough for us so we decided to walk through the Rose valley. Took a while to get on the right path but once we were there it was worth it. Great walk, through rocks at times, in between trees and then open beautiful areas. Passed two cafes, one's owner was missing and there were oranges and pomegranates laid out in baskets, a lot of trust. Sadly missed the last bus so had to walk back to town, a bit of a rush as the sun was setting.

Had a simple dinner at a small cafe with great atmosphere, the owner spoke a few words in our local languages, very impressive.

Relaxed in the jacuzzi, now time for bed, goodnight.





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