Tuesday, July 5, 2011

2nd July, Cappadocia, Goreme, Turkey

I joined a herd in the shape of a conducted tour, via my guesthouse. It was an all day thing that was to cover much of the areas highlights.
For this lone traveler it was a bit of a shock being pitched in to a minibus with a whole lot of strangers. Cappadocia is a big area and it seemed a good way to see some of the gems. The last group joining the bus in the town, were about 8 Koreans, all babbling away. I was rather nervous that it could be a mistake. I was wrong, they were very charming and spoke excellent English. Hitomi was staying in my Otel and there were a couple of fun Italian girls as well. One thing is for sure, these trips are a great way of meeting people. I will tell the story of the day in as few pics as possible.
The one thing difficult to show is the under ground town. Build over a 1000 years ago to protect the minority Christian groups. About 20-100 people for many centuries lived all there domestic life in these very deep dug out caves. Over 7 storeys deep and hundreds of feet. Now I can do caves, and have even been pot holing, but this was not a thing anyone should do with the slightest twinge of claustrophobia. There were about 10 of us, and probably 200 other trippers at the site as well, they filed us down and down these tiny interconnecting stairwells, that one had to crouch going down and was a bit of a squeeze.  It was fascinating, but I am afraid I was getting very nervy by the time we got to the bottom. I was practicing my 'fear of flying' anxiety busting techniques, i.e squeezing ones' bum cheeks and deep steady breathing, I even started writing some journal up to get my mind off it. Talking of shitting one self, they apparently used clay pots that were bought up daily.
As we climbed back higher it became easier but the idea of living there was incredible. I am not surprised that it was abandoned when the threat stopped.







That evening John and Jane rolled into town and after being introduced to a cool bar by Anna and Claudia from Roma, we all went and supped at the 'Local' restaurant, which served a delicious speciality called a clay pot Kabab. Basically a stew, which they have to break the pottery cooking pot to serve. Grt fun.
The next day was rather relaxed and  we went to a local museum in the morning, had lunch, a potter abound the town, tried to get some sunset shots in the Rose valley then a beer followed by supper again at Local. We all agreed it was the best Turkish food we had had and worth paying a few quid extra.





4 comments:

  1. Wow Harry.. you're sure cracking on.
    I did Goremi and lake Van in the 70's, I expect it's changed a bit since then.

    Absolutely love the blog.
    Keep it coming.
    I find the Log most informative.. miles and dates etc.

    House sale collapsed.. but may now rent Dotty out.

    Managed to change the rubber sleeve around my BMW drive shaft link at the junction with the gearbox, in the pouring rain round at Martin's 'Railway Cuttings'.
    It ment removing rear wheel, lifting mudguard,
    removing the rear drive, unbolting the shaft and pushing
    it back away from the engine sufficiently far to allow removal of old
    rubber case and introducing new one.
    Of course sods law came into play, and I dropped the
    box spanner head into the main drive shaft casing.
    Thank god I was able to pick it out with a clothes hanger!!
    That took 3/4 hr just on it's own.
    Martin `Supplied Tea and lunch during the 5 hours it took!.
    I too now need a nail brush, as I don't like picking my nose with oily fingers.

    Keep it incoming..I am really feeling the urge to join in.

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  2. Harry
    I am really enjoying your comments on your trip and living it vicariously through Google latitude.
    How much do you still need the post saddle exercises? Or do you after a month's riding have "iron butt"?
    Keep it up
    George

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  3. Hi Harry, Fiona told us of your marathon journey. I've really enjoyed hearing about where you've got to so far. We went to Meteora last year and were blown away by that and the mountains up there. I did the same overland trip in the 70s - much has changed I dare say. The best bit about travelling afloat is the people we meet - as you're discovering as well. Good luck! Catherine & Leighton onboard S/V Makarma - currently anchored in Patmos, Greece

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  4. We just flew from Istanbul to Kayseri. this is a province where you land for Cappadocia. Upon arrival one guy meet us at airport then we transferred to Cappadocia, after check in procedure our guide came to meet with us then we start to first day tour .First visit Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys,open-air museum , Monk valley ,rock-cut churches and Christian settlements which date back hundreds of years. By the way Turkish meals are fantastic www.privatetoursinistanbul.com after tour we just lay to our bed down. Second day begin with baloon tour ( at about 05:30 a.m ), First we were in group who were excited and hesitant about ballooning. Our pilot was wonderful, he was very careful, knowledgably and informed about geography. I could easily to say that this is very different to see fairy chimneys from air rather than ground. Also second day was magnificent, too. After tour we get back where to begin. I assume that I could tell my dream, if you have a change I suggest you to see Cappadocia especially with this company. They are very kind and very successful also every time genial. would highly recommend

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