Goreme and Cappadocia

Istanbul is a BIG city - something like 20 million and it shows in the endless apartment blocks that we drive by on the way to the airport early in the morning. Mix-up at the Kayseri end, where we thought we were being collected, but local transport came to the rescue and we find ourselves in Goreme, the heart of Cappadocia early afternoon on Saturday. Head for our hotel in the absolute wrong direction, but friendly locals who are used to the confusion soon help.

 Goreme is quite a place and so is the accommodation. Although not a cave it is marketed as a cave hotel, and our room is seriously spacious and inviting. For those who don't know Cappadocia is a region of pretty weird landscapes where people have dug out caves to live in for the last 2000 years. Stunningly unique.

 First day here we spend checking out the place for all the important stuff - wine, beer, icecream, balloon rides, transport and tours etc (in that order, btw). Then, after a good sleep and a good breakfast, we are into it. First up is the Honey and Zemi Valleys with their weird shapes, not unlike the pinnacles/clay cliffs at Omarama but on a much much larger scale. People lived in these places, had churches, mosques, animal compounds and much more carved out of these. Incredible. Spend a lot of time just having a look around and then we're off to the 'Open Air Museum' which is all nicely manicured but still pretty impressive.

 Today we've had a long day. Started at 4.20am when we got up for a hot air balloon ride. Spectacular views over the whole countryside. Probably 40 other balloons up there with us, making it something special. 16 people in ours, with a captain who had a keen sense of humour and the whole experience was superb.

Back home in time for breakfast, then for a long walk to another valley less touristed but with probably the most spectacular landforms of any (Pasabagi Valley). Very hard to describe, we'll let the pictures do the talking, when we finally work out how to upload them. Nice to have some peace and quiet away from the crowds. In between the rock formations are little plots growing grapes, olives, apricots (especially!). We did meet one guy out in the middle of nowhere who offered us a glass of apple tea and home-made fruit from his 'hobby garden'. And a couple of aussie kids living in Berlin taking a break from their studies Back home for a quiet rest then dinner, live music and the sun setting on this most amazing town and region. Good times!