Cappadocia! (Part 1 of 2)

on the way to Kapadokya (Turkish spelling)

Kapadokya!  We came, we saw, we explored!  What an experience!


Day 1 - It was simply amazing to drive into town and immediately see cave houses everywhere you looked. These strange formations are actually volcanic matter that were later hollowed out and made into homes and churches. We arrived in Göreme and went straight to the Göreme Open Air Museum. The cave openings were Elijah's size and were a fun challenge to walk through! The caves consisted of several churches with frescoes on the walls and ceilings depicting Biblical characters and events. We weren't allowed to take pictures although we got a couple...one was before we knew better! Although we declined the audio tour this time, we will probably try it the next time we visit.

Built-in dinner table and bench

We checked into the Stone House Cave Hotel, which was very pretty even though it didn't end up being a real cave (just built to resemble the caves).

Despite on and off showers, we did some window shopping that evening near the hotel.

Day 2 - Kemal, one of the brothers who owns and runs the Stone House Cave Hotel, was able to act as our tour guide for the day. The first place he took us was to the Çavuşin village, where we hiked up through various cave homes, some of which are still lived in. Towards the top, was a cave church as well as an amazing vista point!

in front of an altar

This used to be open, but was closed off to ensure it doesn't collapse.

This used to be a main area of the church, before the rocks below fell due to erosion and earthquakes.

We then stopped to admire the Paşabağ "Fairy Chimneys", which were unlike anything we'd ever seen.

The harder (darker) rock on top becomes more and more unstable as it sits above the softer (lighter) rock below.

Then on to Avanos to the Güray Seramik Pottery Company, a family business that has been around for over 200 years.  They produce many items with the traditional Hittite designs as well as their own family design. We watched a master potter (Usta in Turkish) who is 29 years old, but has been practicing for 19 years already! Anu got to give it a try, although it was much harder than it looked!

After a very nice buffet lunch in Avanos, we headed back to the hotel for naps. Later that afternoon, Daniel got a straight razor shave and massage including his first (and only, never-to-be-repeated) facial.

We then went back to Avanos for pides, window shopping and a walk on the wooden suspension bridge.

wooden suspension bridge

Our last stops for the day were to see Devrent Valley, with its strange rock formations and then The Three Beautifuls. Whew!

Camel

Napoleon's Hat

The Three Beautifuls (Father, Mother & Son)