Urgup

 From Ihlara it's 120km and 3 bus trips in quick succession to get back to Urgup, now through familiar territory - dry as dust plateau and then these crazy valleys with all kinds of weird landforms. Urgup has been planned as a shopping stop and final goodbye to Cappadocia.

 Our hotel is located a considerable distance out of town up a HUGE hill which we walk with pure joy in the 30+ degree heat with our backpacks. Instant decision - one trip into town per day! Town looks great - more style and 'zsusz' than other places we've been to. It's hot, did we mention that? 

Greeted at hotel reception by Anne from Te Horo, who seems to have taken over on behalf of the owner. They're in a kiwi travel group and have stayed 3 days here. As we walk through town, we get a run-down of their adventures in carpet shops, restaurants and places in between - "Where you from?" "New Zealand" "Ah New Zealand, you know Anne...?"

 We buy not much stuff and laze the days away on rooftop restaurants. One highlight was a set-course meze menu at Ziggy's - 12 different dishes but we had to eat them all by 8.30 if we wanted a table. Happy to say that mission was accomplished with 15 minutes to spare! Highlights - 2 eggplant dishes, yoghurt and shredded cucumber, and perhaps the fava beans. Good good food.