Cappadocia

We drove to the small town of Urgup for a look and visit to Ali Baba's antique shop - the uncle of our guide, Ergun. We then go to another viewpoint for more panoramic views before visiting a pottery shop to see the workshops - Gary had a go on the potter's wheel - suffice to say his ashtray will not be placed in the showroom. Some gorgeous pottery - bowls, vases etc. - some gorgeous prices too! Had a spot of lunch in a lovely restaurant beside the river before coming back to the hotel via a local shop selling linen - tablecloths, table runners etc. - some very nice pieces. Late afternoon we went on a 5k walk through the countryside - into some former cave houses and churches - extremely interesting. The scenery here is forever changing - fascinating.  

Buildings used by traders in the days of the
Silk Road

Master potter donning protective clothing -
one size fits all 

Looking quite the Master

OOPS!!! 

True masters at work

A successful shopping trip

Sultan of Cappadocia???

Inside the cave church - carved out
of rock - amazing

 Ann

Cappadocia.....July 30

The other 3 in the group had a balloon ride this morning - we passed after hearing of the one that came down recently in Egypt. Besides we have been in one in Kenya. A fantastic site seeing all the balloons hovering over the town. This morning we visited the Open Air Museum in Goreme and saw up close these fabulous rock formations that were hollowed out to make cave houses. These take the shape of spires, domes and pinnacles called fairy chimneys - amazing - to think they date back to 6th century BC with some churches having frescoes still intact from 9th century AD. After lunch we visited a carpet manufacturer and watched the girls weaving - beautiful patterns and colours. Carpets were exquisite - and expensive - especially the silk ones. Late in the afternoon we go for a walk in the aptly named 'Love Valley' before walking through Red Valley watching the sunset from a viewpoint. A truly splendid day in this unique part of the world.

Some of the dozens of carpets we were shown

Love Valley - aptly named

Gary - you wish!!

Ann

Ankara - Cappadocia.....July 29

First up this morning we visit the Anatolian Civilisation Museum - a rich collection of archaeological objects found during excavations in Anatolia. Some of the most impressive relics we have seen - exquisite gold jewellery, pottery, glassware dating back to 1000BC. We travel through more beautiful landscape via one of the largest producing salt lakes in the world and go for a short walk on the lake. We then reach Cappadocia - an amazing region - have never seen anything like it before. I will try to let the pictures speak for themselves but they do not do the region justice - absolutely incredible. We drive to a lookout just out of town for some fantastic views and photos - a more in depth look tomorrow. We head out to dinner - another fabulous place where Gary's seafood dinner was cooked in an earthenware pot, the lid cut off with a hammer and the food is eaten out of the bottom of the pot - all very amusing. Can't wait to explore this fabulous town tomorrow.

Ann

Istanbul - Ankara

Our view from the hotel was quite different from Dubrovnik. First thing this morning we visited the Blue Mosque built in 1616 - called so due to the 20,000 blue tiles in its interior - very beautiful. We had an 8 hr drive to the capital of Ankara after lunch with comfort stops and dinner on the way. Istanbul is a very big sprawling city and it took quite some time to leave its outskirts but once we did the countryside changed - wheat fields, changed into thick trees and then mountains. Time passed very quickly and one of the roadside cafes we stopped at was not at all what we had expected. Every nut - plain, salted, sugar coated, chocolate coated, fresh fruit, dried fruit, turkish delight in every colour, shape and form. Could have spent the day there so we were very busy sampling and buying up to nibble enroute. A great day of changing scenery with very dramatic countryside ahead of us tomorrow.

Not all views are welcome

A park in inner city Istanbul

Ann