EU 2015 (ii): Göreme (I)

Note: I have to split the Goreme entry into two because there are quite a number of pictures to share. And there are a lot more on the cutting room floor.

It was our last morning in Istanbul and we spent it on breakfast and buying some Turkish Delights & souvenirs. Then it was time to get to the airport.

We decided to take the bus to Sabiha Gokcen airport to avoid an expensive taxi ride. But first we had to take a short ferry ride from Eminönü to  Kadıköy, on the Asian side. The fares for the ferry and the airport bus could be charged to our Istanbulkart.

Our Pegasus flight got us to Kayseri in just one hour. Another hour on the road got us to Goreme. Compare that to a 10 to 12-hour bus ride from Istanbul. I can only imagine. I'm no young soul no more :). The hotel gave us a free transfer from the airport because we had booked balloon flights and the daily tour.

We are here in Kayseri!

I googled and this could be Mount Erciyes, the highest mountain in central Anatolia (Turkey;s Asia side)

It seems that all of the mosques (camii) look alike

We stayed at Erenbey Cave Hotel. Nothing but praise all around, from the reservation to hot air balloon flight and tour bookings to the hotel and room itself. The only hiccup, a small one at most, was when we were told that it would cost us extra for additional omelettes. Huh?

I'm in love with this room!

Spacious Room #7 with direct access to the balcony 

When we got to Goreme it was cold, wet and gloomy with only a few minutes left for daylight. Hmmm the weather forecast didn't look so good for tomorrow as well.

We walked in the town for a bit before we settled down for the night. Keeping to that tiny hope that tomorrow's weather would be nice for balloon rides. But that call from the hotel reception never came. We already knew that because it continued to rain throughout the night and into the morning. We only planned for 2 nights in Goreme so we only have another attempt the next morning before we leave. If it happens it'd be a touch and go because we have a 10:20 flight to catch from Kayseri airport, an hour away.

The mosque in one corner of Goreme

You mean my mother has a restaurant?

They even have a Korean restaurant

Nonetheless we had to stick to the plan. Right after breakfast we went on the Red Tour. A chance to see other things that Kapadokya can offer.

Our first stop was the Monks Valley.

Our guide, Mehmet, is not drawing the Illuminati symbol :D

He was explaining about the Cappadocia region and the formation of the fairy chimneys in the region

The fairy chimneys where the monks used to stay at

The fairy chimneys

Every angle is a Kodak moment

This is cool

I wasn't wearing the right kind of shoes to go up the ladder

The stairs lead to the top floor

We didn't have time to get to those paths in the background

After a while they look the same don't they? :)

Imagination Valley was next. After a brief description from our guide, the heavens opened. So we cut the stop short. We did see the camel rock, Napolean's hat, kissing ducks, mother Mary, snail and a few more. with the help of few drinks we ought to see more :D.

Camel Rock is the obvious one. I forgot what can be found in the rock cluster on the left

What can you see here? How about Mother Mary for one?

If it hadn't rain, we would be given some time to walk on the trail.  Btw that dog was playing with some string

See you can find Napolean's hat and the kissing ducks

We went to the town of Avanos to watch pottery-making demonstration. Abundance of red clay is obtained from the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak (Red River). While white clay is drawn from the volcanic soil. In the older generations' culture, the men could only get married once they know how to do pottery. The women had to make their own carpets. I guess that's why I'm not married yet. Lol.

The master with some 30 years experience managed to get the top fit nicely even though he made it ahead of time.  And yes, he's married :)

The difference between Turkish blue and Chinese blue. And at the back is the baking room

Eventually the designs evolve

Damn that's some serious shit

If I were to do it, I'd mess it up big time

So nice!

These are soooo beautiful!

My mom would definitely like these

Too expensive and fragile to bring back home

 After lunch at a restaurant in Goreme, we headed out to the Open-air Museum.

The view from the restaurant

The entrance to the open-air museum

Some chambers have wall drawings and paintings, as well as churches

The refectory/store room/pantry

Looking out from one of the chambers

We saw these horses as we were walking back to our bus

The Love Valley and this one hill place (whose name had slipped my mind) capped off today's tour. Man, was it cold and windy at the Love Valley!

I have Google why it's called the Love Valley later

Don't be fooled. It was really, really cold and windy :)

The evil eyes make such a good tree ornaments

Used to be a hill fortress

The sun made a brief appearance

By 5pm, we were already back at our hotel.

We went out for dinner after maghrib with some rain clouds hanging in the sky. But the clear skies in the horizon and the presence of the moon and a couple of stars in the sky brought up our hopes a notch or two. My friend even dropped by at a local travel agent shop and asked about the chance for balloon rides to happen tomorrow. A Japanese guy was there as well and we learnt that he even cancelled his flight today to give the balloon flight one more try tomorrow. He's not going back without taking one. To come all the way and return empty handed is not an option.

Chicken kebab in a pottery.

Our waiter had cracked the top open... Can't you tell I was so happy? It was soooo good!

Delicious bakhlava

To be continued...