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Published: April 29th 2015
Our shuttle picked us shortly after 10:30 on Sunday morning and our trip to Ataturk Airport took forever!! We couldn't figure out why we had to keep taking the tiniest of backstreets. We soon found out the reason...the Istanbul Marathon was on! Another race in another beautiful place!!! As we pulled up to the airport we were hardly prepared for the congestion. First of all you can't even enter the main part of the airport until all your luggage is put through the scanner. So we joined the infinite line. Getting to the front, piled our bags on, emptied or pockets and finally got into the massive airport. Little did we know that we had entered through the international departures area and we were soon running to find the domestic departures. After going down escalators and running along moving sidewalks we finally got there and checked in. Moving into the gate area we only had a short time to wait before our flight to Nevsehir took off. Hands down, the Turkish Airlines have the best planes!!! There was so much leg room we could stretch right out!! They served us a whirlwind lunch and before we knew it we were descending.
As we approached the runway it was a bit turbulent. We touched down at a rather alarming speed. I was slamming on the brakes until we finally slowed. We got our luggage quickly and found our shuttle awaiting us. We piled into the brand new van with 3 other couples. One lady remarked how she thought we were never going to stop upon landing whereupon another man remarked that we didn't have much runway left!! And I thought it was just me!!
We are so privileged to be in one of the most magical places! We arrived at our beautiful room at Maccan Cave Hotel and got the first glimpse of our cave room! It is so unique, with the head of our bed in the arch of the cave and our shower is pretty much just a cave with a glass door. We were left a silver bowl of Turkish Delight and another with a variety of nuts. Also they gave us two souvenirs of Goreme! Heading out, we decided to walk down into this delightful town. While walking along the streets we admired the several quaint stores. I already know I am in trouble with my shopping
because I have seen so many beautiful things! We had been debating about doing a hot air balloon ride and when you are in Cappodocia it is the one thing everyone says you MUST do. We enquired at one place and then opted to talk to our hotel to see if they could arrange it for us. Thinking I may have a few days to psyche myself up for this adventure, I was a little shocked to learn that there were two spots with Royal Balloons for Monday!! Perhaps that was better as I didn't have too long to let my imagination go off on a tangent.
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner on our rooftop terrace, totally enraptured by the scene below us. This beautiful land boasts amazing "fairy chimneys" which are tall, conical rock formations that rise up in the town and surrounding area. The incredible rock formations resemble rolling waves. As darkness fell and lights began coming on we were treated to a beautiful scene that far exceeded our expectations. We soon settled into our cave for our early morning adventure!
I am really not too sure if we are Fred and Wilma Flintstone and have
been transported to Bedrock, we are characters in the Wizard of Oz heading off in a hot air balloon, have become Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia from Star Wars, or are Aladdin and Jasmine! Living in this beautiful stone town in a cave which resembles Bedrock leaves us with one identity but then our other experiences have left us with an entirely different identities!
Our shuttle picked us up at 5:20AM and after adding more passengers we were driven to the Royal Balloon Office where were were fed a delicious Turkish breakfast. The early morning sky was dotted with dozens and dozens of huge balloons, floating gently as the sun rose into sky. I must admit the scene was humbling, but also created a certain amount of anxst for me. Seeing the heights to which these balloons flew had my stomach in knots! We soon piled into our van and were driven to the take off point. We watched as a team of men prepared the huge balloon on the ground, laying it out and then filling it with air using big fans. Once full, they then attached the basket and ignited the propane burners. As the heat filled
the space, the enormous balloon began rising into the sky. Apparently this was the first day they have been able to fly in the last seven due to weather conditions! As the crew held down the basket and another held on to the tether that steadied the balloon, we all climbed in. Believe me, there was no graceful way to to this!!! Once in, the ropes were released and we slowly ascended into the sky. Our pilot was phenomenal and as we went up it was truly an experience that would be etched in our memories forever. We started off floating through the sky, close to the ground, then the pilot would fire the ignitor again to make us go up over trees and cliffs. He would then let us gently drop down into the valleys between the fairy chimneys where we could see the farmland and tiny houses below. It was amazing! The sky was filled with balloons and our pilot told us there were about 150 altogether. Soon he had us rising to the dizzying height of 800m which is the highest the balloons can go since there are two airports nearby. We were kept busy snapping pictures
Goreme
"Bedrock"from every angle. My nervousness soon lulled as I put full faith in our rather handsome pilot. After an hour of floating for an hour we arrived at our landing spot. We watched in utter amazement as our pilot gave instructions through his walkie talkie to the ground crew below. The truck towing the trailer for the basket moved according to his directions and to our surprise our pilot skillfully landed gently - right on the trailer!!! As we disembarked, even less gracefully I must say, we were then treated to champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and Turkish cookies. While enjoying these decadent treats at 7:20 in the morning we received our medals for our flight! Arriving back at our hotel we were thrilled with our adventure and in spite of all my fears I was so, so glad that I had been able to have this wonderful experience. There aren't words to describe what it is like to float up in the clear sky, balloons dotting the sky around us and and below us, the most enchanting land!!!
Later in the morning we walked out to the Goreme Open Air Museum. Just before we got to the entrance we
Check Out My Ride
Aladdin and Jasmine went through a market area. first we were asked if we wanted a computer generated picture of us on a flying carpet. We respectfully declined and just as we were exiting we saw 4 camels laying on the grass. Remember, a sucker is born every minute and it was our birth time once again! Before I knew it the man took me by the arm and I was petting the head of a camel, soon sitting on it, then going for a ride! As the rather smelly camel rose awkwardly I was pretty sure I going head over heels as the big animal got up. "Aisha", my camel, was a rather grumpy girl who kept snorting and was quite beligerent. I wasn't too thrilled when the keeper let go of her tether and went to take a picture with my camera as I envisioned her lumbering off in belligerence. Finally we returned to her resting area and I dismounted off. Wow, this little adventure only cost 20 euros!!! We then made it to the museum where we walked through the beautiful churches in the caves and fairy chimneys. We wandered around enthralled by the paintings inside, some beautifully and artfully
done, while others resembled rudimentary drawings by children. We walked back into town and returned to our cave for a much needed nap. Later we went into town to the Silk Restaurant where we enjoyed a great dinner.
Tuesday morning we went up to our rooftop terrace and were treated to a delicious omelet along with our buffet breakfast. The staff at our hotel can't do enough for you. As I busily took some notes for a school matter on my napkin, the waiter came over and offered me his writing pad. I can't begin to describe the simple beauty of the Turkish people. They go above and beyond in every way, always offering help if you ask and speak to you as you walk past.
Ready to begin our day hiking through the Red and Rose Valleys we headed out. Not far past our hotel one of the young men who works in reception stopped and offered to drive us to one of the entry points to the trails. We gladly hopped in and were soon dropped off in the middle of nowhere! We walked along the dusty road, going down a very steep hill until we
came to an outdoor cafe. We chatted with a couple from the States where were trying to figure out the map system As well One of the cafe workers who, as it turned out was deaf, sent us off the trail After communicating with hand gestures. We wandered through rock formations and tunnels, meeting several tour groups. Now, I can hardly judge others for their footwear, but honestly. Some of the women were wearing the most inappropriate hiking shoes!!! Can't imagine how those fancy shoes looked after going through the rather muddy paths 😊. Following this path we eventually ended up on the top of a huge hill - in a field! We walked through and came to a road which we followed to a little hut where we bought a better map of the trail system. This hut was another entrance to the trails we wanted. Apparently we had been on the yellow trail. As we journeyed along the road we saw two Turkish women out in a field with their hoes. We made our way out to them where upon Curtis offered to help! Handing over her hoe and without blinking an eye, the old Turkish woman proceeded
to show him what to do. She had him hoeing and pulling weeds at the base of a grape vine. She wouldn't let him go until he had completely finished. What a wonderful experience! We continued to walk up to "Crazy Ali Baba Garden", an outdoor cafe With an outstanding view and little sitting areas on the edge of the hills. After watering ourselves we headed down to the path to take us to some churches, a former winery and an old bee house. After conferring with a French couple, we headed along the path to the Rose Valley. What an amazing journey!! We climbed up narrow paths high above the beautiful red rock formations, between rocks and down into valleys. We marveled at the rock carving dovecotes, which are openings carved into the rocks in the 18th and 19th centuries to collect pigeon poop which is a rich fertilizer. The colours of the towering rocks were amazing, some all red, while others were 3 colours.
At this point we knew we were Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker as we roamed through the rock formations used in the actual movie. You could just imagine yourself zooming through on a
spacecraft. After numerous climbs up, complete with an ass over tea kettle fall by my husband, we came to a small cafe below an ancient cave church. We enjoyed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and then split an ice cold beer before heading off again. After 4.5 hours of walking, we came back to Goreme, hot, dusty and tired. Returning to our hotel we showered, rested and then headed back into town. As we came down the hill we were greeted by a young man offering a shave and a haircut ( which my husband was in dire need of as his hair looked like it was constantly in a state of shock😊. Saying he wanted a shave and a haircut, Curtis was soon in the chair. Foam was slathered onto his face by a young man who looked 12 but said he was 15!! This teenager expertly shaved Curtis with a straight razor but that was only the beginning! Next he had wax applied to his cheeks, ears, and nose. I just about lost it when he then shoved two wax laden Q tips up his nostrils!!!! I got a certain amount of pleasure watching as this
boy yanked the wax off and then out of his nasal orifices!!! However, that was not the end! Next he had green goop slathered on his face. He was getting a facial mask! The young man ran his hand over my cheek and told me I had oily skin and did I want a mask too??? Telling him this was all about my husband he just grinned. Never did I ever think I would live to see the day where my husband got a full facial!!! As my husband sat there resembling Shrek (he says the Hulk😊 the green mask turned to white, leaving him looking like a zombie). Now for the haircut. First Fatih clipped around the sides and back and then cut on top. But did it end there?? Nope he then had a hair mask applied! Thick, white paste was applied to his hair, guaranteed to repair any damage. While I enjoyed my tea, the hair mask was soon washed off and the white plaster wiped away. Next a lemon astringent was rubbed on his face and head! a bit shocking on freshly shaved skin! The boy then began whacking Curtis' scalp giving him a vigorous head
massage! The finishing touches? Hairspray applied to set his new "do" and cologne sprayed on his neck and chest. I was waiting for him to get a mani and pedi next 😊))) Wow, a full makeover all for the low price of 75 Turkish Lira! My husband has never looked younger 😊 with skin as smooth as a baby's bottom!! We thanked Fatih for his magic! He was very good at his craft (although he wants to go to school for tourism), meticulous and definitely a perfectionist!
The end to a perfect day? Sitting in on Turkish cushions smoking melon flavoured hookah over a glass of wine and eating a chicken kebap. Life doesn't get much better.
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