A small bus picks a few of us up at 05h40 to take as to Göreme.
Let me first explain about Cappadocia. It really is a region in the Nevsehir Province, with the most fascinating landscapes. Vulcanic eruptions that happened about 9 to 3 million years ago, caused various layers of sedimentary rocks to form. These rocks then eroded over the centuries, forming the most unearthly type of landscape of pillars and mushroom-shaped towers. Add to this the fact that the people would carve their houses and temple out of the rock and underground, and you end with the most spectacular scenery. A few small villages are dotted around the area. These villages blend in nicely with the scenery, and in some places, buildings are merely extensions to the rock formations.
We stop in Göreme for a simple but welcome breakfast of bread rolls, bread sticks and a fairly dry sweet cake with a choice of coffee, tea, or our new favorite apple tea. As we look out over the valley, we excitedly watch the start of it. The early morning hot air balloons that silently raise their hefty bulges over this beautiful landscapes.
If you ever have the opportunity to come to Turkiye, the one thing you should definitely do, is this hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Apart from the excitement of the actual ride, the ability to silently glide over such exquisite landscapes is indescribable. The balloons are able to drop down to levels where you are almost certain that they would hit one of the rocks, only to then rise up so high that all the other balloons diminish into insignificance beneath us. We glide over valleys, bush vineyards and villages where dogs bark at us excitedly. From the air we can see the chimneys of the underground dwellings, and as the various balloons reach the end of their journeys, we watch how they land perfectly. When it is eventually our turn to land, we all hold our breath as the pilot attempts to land on top of the trailer. He almost does, but overshoots a little. But they maneuver it with some hot air and some elbow grease to load it on the trailer. Disembarking is even more ungraceful than the embarking process. There are two holes on the side of the basket for you to use as a step ladder. But this time, climbing down the other side now also entails stepping off the trailer. But a friendly Turk is ready and waiting to lift us down, while his colleague is ready with the champagne and orange juice to celebrate the fact that we are still alive. :) The only expression I can think of to describe it all - Oh Wow!
Back at the hotel, we quickly get ready to depart on the days outing. We basically spend the day driving around the area, stopping in various places to look at the landscape and "fairy chimneys" The area really is just such a beautiful one.
We also stop at a turkish carpet factory and a jewelry factory and store. We are shown how the turkish ladies make their carpets. They are particularly proud of the fact that their carpets are made with double knots. Watching the ladies make these double knots, however, is near impossible. The swiftness with which they pick the correct vertical thread around which they should be tying this knot based on the compacted pattern in front of them, is just astonishing. You almost don't notice that they then also cut the piece of wool with a sharp knife. I could have stood for hours watching these lady create these beautiful masterpieces.
After a day of exploring the region with the group, we decided to take a local bus into Göreme. It certainly was quite different to be part of everyday life. Göreme is a lovely little village, and we stopped by a local coffee shop for some hot chocolate. We were very fortunate to have the local baker deliver fresh baklava while we we in the coffee shop. Needless to say - we had to try it. It was truly delicious.
After supper, we decided to try the Turkish Bath experience. We were extremely apprehensive, but really felt that it would be cheating to visit Turkiye, and not have this experience. So, to explain the ritual - you first take a shower. Then you sit and boil in the sauna for about 10 minutes. That was just pure torture, although the eucalyptus in the water that you sprinkle on the excruciating hot rocks did help my pending cold, I hoped. Just as you think you cannot possibly handle any more heat, you are ushered off to the steam room. At least here the marble seats provided for some cooler conditions, so we were happy to spend our allotted time there. Then, they whisk you off to the turkish bath. A room with a flat surface in the middle, and some seating and small marble basins around the side where people can sit and wash themselves. And then…. Uhm…. Well - they proceed to wash you. Or is it peeling… They use a silk glove with which they wash you. The intention? To peel about two layers of skin off you. They certainly did, but it was an experience that I was happy to have had. Will I do it again? Maybe.
It has been a long, but awesome day.
Hierdie memories is vir ewig!
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