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Published: April 3rd 2011
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I have struggled putting this blog together for a couple of days now.
22 years ago I worked in Goreme, for a wonderful Australian woman and her Turkish fiance and some time latter I was invited to their wedding, in Melbourne. Unfortunately for reasons that aren't important to this blog, I wasn't able to attend. Though, through my own carelessness I lost touch with these people, as we do and usually regret.
When Michelle and I were in Eceabat (Gallipoli) doing the tour with TJ (mentioned in Gallipoli blog), it came up that I had been to Turkey before and worked in Goreme.
TJ: "so, Mark, what pension did you work in"
Mark: "Rock Valley"
TJ: "wow, did you know Ruth (the Australian woman I worked for) is still there and she owns a carpet shop, when you catch up with her, can you say high for me."
BANG !!! I haven't spoken to this person for over 20 years and am now full of emotions and trepidations I didn't know possible.
So, we have travelled for two days, spent a night in Konya (seven hours by bus, from Pamukkale) and then on to Goreme (another
Fairy Chimney Cave Room
We were offered this room at the hotel we stayed at 3 hours).
As the bus clears the hill (we are now at, about, 1200 m above sea level) we come down into the valley to the village of Goreme. Michelle lets out an audible gasp. The vision that is presented to you is difficult to describe. I have not heard of another place of earth that comes close to replicating the view or scenery of The Cappadocia region (maybe the Grand Canyon, in it's own way). Pictures definitely don't do it justice.
**Google** Cappadocia for an explanation to the geological make up of this incredible piece of land.
We are booked into Paradise Cave Hotel and arrive just after midday. After stowing our gear we make our way into the village, we have been informed that Ruth owns "Tribal Collections" carpet store, in Goreme and is known to one and all. In fact if you ask for Ruth in another carpet shop you'll be told she has either died or left the country, ahhh the Turks and their sense of humor.
So long story short, we meet up with Ruth and it is truly amazing to walk up to someone you haven't been in touch with for
your table is ready
where we had lunch one day so long and within half an hour it's like we have been in contact for ever. Again, won't go into all the mushy stuff. We will catch up to Ruth quite regularly during our stay in Goreme.
On our second day we have decided to do an organised full day tour of the region. We start at 9:30am and finish up around 6:00pm. The Green Tour takes us to Pigeon Valley, which is a large panorama valley, pigeons still live in the hole caves. We then visit the Underground City of Derinkuyu, the largest and deepest underground city in Cappadocia. The city descends eight levels, to nearly one kilometre and housed up to 4,000 people in its day.
Then to Thera Valley, which is the largest, deepest and longest canyon in Cappadocia, we hike only about 4 km along the river (about a fifth of the length). The valley is dotted with cave churches (about 100) and small farms. From here we make our way to Taskinpasa Medresei, an Ottaman theological school and Keslik Monastery, churches from 8th and 12th centuries.
We return to Goreme and decide to head out and find a bar and relax after
Column Church
In Rose Valley, hand caved into caves a long day. Fat Boys is a bar restaurant that has just been refurbished and is owned by an Aussie lass, Angela and her husband Yilmas. We have been asked to drop in, by TJ and pass on his regards. They have done a great job and the place looks great, complete with pool table and outside lounges. Angela has invited to take us on a stroll around Rose Valley, north east of the village the next morning.
Another morning finds us out and about in this lunar landscape, for nearly 4 hrs we stroll with Angela and her beautiful dog. Michelle reckons it was a mountain climb and bum shuffling down crevices (well maybe for some, brings a smirk to my face just thinking about it.) Thanks Angela !!
Our last evening is at a great restaurant, with Ruth and a couple of hot air balloon pilots (there about 100 hot air balloons that operate out of the valley, truly a spectacular sight first thing in the morning). Thank you Ruth for reminding me why this is such a special place.
After 22 years I have returned to a place that I truly fell in love
Traditional cave house
Note the statelite dish with and still find it hard to leave. I think that Michelle even leaves with a heavy heart and a small understanding of my passion for this place.
Angela laughingly suggests that here is a job at the bar over summer, hmmmm this is just how my love affair with Turkey started all those so many years ago.
Please forgive the ramblings of sentimental guy.
Our time in Turkey is near an end, but only for this time.
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Dad Mum
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love it
Keep the blogs up we really enjoy reading them (also the photos) can feel the joy in your stories that you must be feeling. lov ya.