14th May 2010

From the coast we head through the mountains towards Cappadocia - 12 hour drive. Cappadocia is an area in Central Anatolia in Turkey best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches, fairy chimneys, houses carved in the rocks and is a region of unusual beauty. The combined forces of man and natural erosion have created many compelling environments. One of the most impressive is the Kaymakli caves where the efforts of generations of troglodytes have transformed the soft volcanic rock into an entire underground village on four different levels. There is also an open-air museum. We had a local guide as it is easy to get lost in the 300kms of tunnels.

I camped in a tent with Karen and the others slept in the caves. Sandy slipped in the caves and injured her knee, walking stick for the rest of the tour. The caves were too moist and damp for me. Had pizza for tea.

15th May 2010

A few of us went Hot Air Ballooning. The scenery was spectacular and there would have been at least 100 balloons soaring around. We saw fairy chimneys, underground cities, rock columns, pyramids, mushrooms and lots of camels. After lunch we went on another guided tour around Cappadocia, visiting an underground city. Our guides also organised a belly dancing night which was riotously tacky. Audience participation was encouraged. Neil volunteered to do the belly dancing.

We also saw the Whirling Dervish Dance. Wearing long, flowing robes and tall hats, the Whirling Dervishes twirl to live music played on ancient instruments, a form of worship said to bring them closer to God.