Sep 14 2025

Very glad we weren’t talked into the balloon ride. We needed the sleep. We were still able to see some in flight just from the hotel and when Lori went out for a run. 

Did our usual of finding a local coffee place to enjoy the morning. 

Another very full day. Started with another overlook at another “castle” at Ortahis. But the biggest bonus was pistachio coffee!!! Why are we only finding about this now‽‽?  

It was then on to the Gorome outdoor museum which was already becoming quite busy. Here we were able to see some of the restored chapels. Unfortunately no photos were allowed. Well that’s what the sign said. Sometimes there was someone enforcing it. Not always. And certainly compliance was “flexible”. St Basil appeared prominently, however we read later that he probably did not build any of the churches as they predated his time. Constantine and his wife, St George and St Theodore (both on horseback) were also regular features. As Omer pointed out to us you could appreciate that it was a skilled painter(s) who did the work. In some places you could see where the early basic iconography had been painted over. 

Then another overlook, overlooking Gorome but the theme of which I’ve forgotten. Though there was one private house amongst them for around in which an 80 year old couple still lives. 

It was then onto lunch but this time in a “cave” restaurant. Which presented a challenge as I’d finally remembered to switch to my sunglasses just as we moved indoors. We enjoyed the traditional stew in the clay pots. Though I felt it wasn’t that great. Lori preferred it to the day before meal. 

It was then on to the pottery display. Fortunately the other woman in our group volunteered to be the volunteer. 

Then on to the mushroom caps where Omer described the geological process. As there was only one other couple today we were able to plug him with more questions. Also had random other tourist ask us to take a picture of him peeking through a hole. Then helped me climb up (and down) to do the same. 

Then finally it was onto imagination valley with formations that, well, you get it.. 

Then it was back to the hotel to await our airport transfer, the relatively haphazard “check-in”, security and boarding process. This time we took our bags as carry on. This saved us a bit of time at the other end though it was still over an hour back to the hotel as we landed at the airport on the Asian side. Thus it was after 11pm when we finally got (re) checked in. 

Sep 13 2025

Cappadocia was everything it was expected to be. And more. But it was a long day. We (ok Paul) wanted to get to Cappadocia as it was another place we “missed” when we visited 30 years ago. 

Up at 3 for the 4 am to the airport.

The pick up at the airport was a bit haphazard. Ours was the _only_ guy not holding a sign. “Lori Marie” turned out to be the theme of the two days. Dropped at our hotel and after a very nice provided coffee we joined the group, I think all of which had been on the tour since yesterday and had done the balloon that morning. 

Going to be hard to get it all straight as the tour  packed it in. 

First stop was the fascinating underground city. Our guide was Omer. Originally from Antioch, he had studied tourism in the Cappadocia region. And he goes to museums on his day off. He was  a font of knowledge and very considerate and attentive.

It is disputed as to whether underground cities were permanent residences. They were refuges in time of attack. Usually from Arab invaders. It appears they were not hidden churches for Christians fleeing persecution. They dated from later when the Romans had adopted Christianity. 

In saying all that the city and its history were fascinating. The resourcefulness of the creation with the limited tools they would have had was remarkable. 

Managed to scrape my head only twice. 

Next it was the rock/gem/mineral shop for the big sell. Well actually it was not that big a sell. Especially compared to later in Istanbul. Did mean we got to see Sultanite, found only in Turkey. We didn’t spend long and instead headed across the road to the Pigeon Hole lookouts. Never thought of it in much detail but it is said this is where the expression comes from. The holes were originally created to enable collection of the guano. Now they’re just pigeon hang outs. 

Next it was lunch on a rooftop terrace in Gorome where we could enjoy our meal nestled in amongst more of the fascinating hoodoo formations. 

Then it was on to one of the natural “castles” where we were able to wander around a bit more in amongst the formations. 

Then it was “Love valley”. Omer very cleverly didn’t give much pre-explanation. The formations did that 🙃.

Then it was on to another area to climb up to an ancient 4th century church (St John the Baptist) carved out of the rock. Amazingly it was just there unprotected and unpreserved. Would see better preserved ones the following day but it was fascinating to see this one in its “original” form. 

Finally it was back to check into our “cave” hotel. We wonder what the criteria are to call a hotel a “cave” one, as not a lot of it was as such. However the pool/spa area was, and [x’s] (our very attentive staff member who checked us in) was to go straight there before it became crowded. Pro-tip! 

Not particularly hungry we wandered down into the town to have a look, bought Lori some pants and me some ice cream. 

Then we returned to the rooftop patio for a so-so red wine but a not at all so-so view of the fading light and emerging night lights. 

Big day.