After a lazy morning taking care of business, we head out on a walk up the 'Pigeon Valley', so named because of all the pigeon coops carved into the rock stacks ('fairy chimneys'). Once again, we have the place to ourselves, but the signage is appalling and what should be an easy trip turns into a minor adventure, where you never quite know where you'll end up.
Once again, stunning landforms and we have some fun walking up this valley. We come to a crossroads - spray-canned signs on rocks point in both directions with the same destinations, except one of them says 'panorama'. Yes, we went for the panorama. Uh oh. Scampering up the rocks like goats was not quite what we expected, although the views were definitely worth it, as was the hot cup of cay.
Uichisar is a 'castle' village on the plateau above Goreme. We climbed to the top of that hill, man! And then we went down again. For food. David is becoming very partial to yoghurt and honey, so we had that, as well as the ubiquitous gozleme, thin sheets of pastry with feta and spinach. Mixed salad, some cherry juice and lots of cold water capped it off nicely.
Back down, we discover the real track, clearly marked and easy. This valley was really like a mini-canyon, steep sides and twisty. Just when David thought his camera had had enough, out it popped and started clicking, just like magic. A mind of its own.
Home for a bit of a siesta, and then out for dinner at a rooftop restaurant with some live music, a stunning sunset, and another amazing day at the races.
Nk day we're off in the opposite direction, trying to find the Red and Rose Valleys (more rocks!), which we, in the end, do. Highlights were the deliberately wrong directions we were given, over-priced orange juice (by the same people), some nice chats with Germans and others where we all tried to sort out where we all were and, yes, stunning rocks. Really.
A few hours and a good many kms later, we find ourselves in the dusty little village of Cavusin (chav oo sheen), for a bite to eat, a drink to drink and a photo to camera. Then a 3-6km walk back to town (depending on who you ask) for an afternoon rest. Today is our last in Goreme, so we are celebrating with another magnificent home-cooked meal and a chillout, before heading off to Guzelyurt.
Once again, stunning landforms and we have some fun walking up this valley. We come to a crossroads - spray-canned signs on rocks point in both directions with the same destinations, except one of them says 'panorama'. Yes, we went for the panorama. Uh oh. Scampering up the rocks like goats was not quite what we expected, although the views were definitely worth it, as was the hot cup of cay.
Uichisar is a 'castle' village on the plateau above Goreme. We climbed to the top of that hill, man! And then we went down again. For food. David is becoming very partial to yoghurt and honey, so we had that, as well as the ubiquitous gozleme, thin sheets of pastry with feta and spinach. Mixed salad, some cherry juice and lots of cold water capped it off nicely.
Back down, we discover the real track, clearly marked and easy. This valley was really like a mini-canyon, steep sides and twisty. Just when David thought his camera had had enough, out it popped and started clicking, just like magic. A mind of its own.
Home for a bit of a siesta, and then out for dinner at a rooftop restaurant with some live music, a stunning sunset, and another amazing day at the races.
Nk day we're off in the opposite direction, trying to find the Red and Rose Valleys (more rocks!), which we, in the end, do. Highlights were the deliberately wrong directions we were given, over-priced orange juice (by the same people), some nice chats with Germans and others where we all tried to sort out where we all were and, yes, stunning rocks. Really.
A few hours and a good many kms later, we find ourselves in the dusty little village of Cavusin (chav oo sheen), for a bite to eat, a drink to drink and a photo to camera. Then a 3-6km walk back to town (depending on who you ask) for an afternoon rest. Today is our last in Goreme, so we are celebrating with another magnificent home-cooked meal and a chillout, before heading off to Guzelyurt.
Love your blogs - memories come back! I think we stayed at Uichisar village by the castle! Certainly walked Pigeon valley too. Must be fab having those stunning valleys and rocks to yourselves! Hot air balloon ride is great eh? So quiet and literally "above it all"!! keep enjoying
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