Konya to Cappadocia

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Our first stop today was at Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic settlement that was occupied for around 1,400 years more than 9,000 years. During the period that it was occupied old houses were abandoned and new homes were built on top of the remain which, over time, created a mound over 21 metres high. The dwellings were built closely together without streets separating them so it is believed that the inhabitants walked across the rooftops and used ladders to climb down into the homes' interiors.

Archaeologists have explored the site during two periods of excavations. Initial excavation works were undertaken between 1961 and 1965. The site has been explored further since then with annual investigations taking place since 1993. Most of the findings uncovered at Çatalhöyük over the last 50 years are housed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara and in Konya at the Archaeological Museum.

We returned to Konya via the villages which gave us the opportunity to see some different scenery. It's always good to travel on a new route on a return trip rather than go back exactly the way you have come. Besides we had already passed the Efes Brewery on the way to Çatalhöyük - there was no need to see it again!

Back in Konya we visited the Mevlâna Museum. It is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Sufi mystic also known as Mevlâna or Rumi. It was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. The adjoining small mosque houses an amazing exhibition of old korans exquisitely calligraphed and illuminated. There is also a box containing the Holy Beard of Muhammad.

We had another four course lunch today!! Dügün Çorbasi (Turkish Wedding Soup), followed by börek, roast lamb and dessert which was actually two desserts - a baklava like pastry and halva. Meredith noticed an entry headed 'Dikkat' on the menu. Dikkat means 'caution' so she asked Yalçin what the caution was about. He asked the waiter and the next thing we knew we each had a glass of something that we had to be cautious of??? We still don't know exactly what was in it - apple juice, cinnamon and we think some ginger. Apparently it contained some 41 different herbs and spices, but we still have no idea what the caution was about.

Stuffed full again of delicious Turkish food it was back onto the minibus heading for Cappadocia. We drove through some spectacular scenery again this afternoon. We stopped briefly at the Sultanhani Caravanserai.

This fortified structure was built in 1229, during the reign of the Seljuk sultan Kayqubad I. The Caravanserai was on the trade route from Konya to Aksaray, leading to Persia. After it was partially destroyed by a fire, it was restored and extended in 1278 by the governor Seraceddin Ahmed Kerimeddin bin El Hasan during the reign of the sultan Kaykhusraw III. This monumental caravanserai then became the largest in Turkey. It is an excellent example of Anatolian Seljuk architecture.

Tonight we are at the Peri Tower Hotel which is deserted but for us. I think there might be more staff on duty than they have guests?? We have just finished another four courses for dinner. Unfortunately, a set menu meal is included with our accommodation. Smorgasbord is better - it means that we can just take a small amount of food. It is very hard with a set menu to avoid overeating.

Step for the day: 6,704 (4.58km). There is no way that is enough activity to burn off the kilojoules from two four course meals!!!!

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