Kaya Uchisar

... a small crete and then we enter the Lovers valley from a beautiful entry point. http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?tit le=Datei:G%C3%B6reme_Love_Valley.jpg&am p;filetimestamp=20060730213810 These rock formations are like huge mushrooms or phalluses that the erosion has formed over the years. This erosion is still taking place today and every year there is 3-5 cm of the stone ...

... to find the baloon, as they have their own pride ;-)).<br><br>We finish the morning with a celebration and certificate and then have breakfast at 10:30 in the hotel before we depart to Ilhara valley. This valley is around 100km away and on the way we visit one of the underground cities that have been built in 13/14th century from the Chr&#305;stians, who were living then. These cities are huge tunnels - cave systems carved our of the rock ...

... and a group of people that were recognizable and that we got along with and were friends with. It had all the feelings that I miss from home.<br><br>I mean, as I regretted our departure I thought about how weird it was to just long for a place where I could meet up with all my friends and have a good time.<br><br>I mean, I promise, my aspiration in life is not to be a character on the sitcom Cheers.<br><br>Though, was there a happy successful lawyer on Cheers?<br ...

... a lot of the lower paintings either the face or eyes have been scratched out. Some date from the 8th century, though the best are from the 10th to 13th century. We meet a Turkish husband, wife and daughter here, he grew up in Nevsehir but lives along the Mediterranean Sea as he is in the Turkish Navy. He told us his parents and grandparents lived in such caves and how healthy they are. Most homes are 2 rooms, joined inside with a passageway. One room is ...

... that the highest he has ever gone was 3000 meters on a training flight. You could see all the way to the volcanic mountain which is what caused all the fairy castles and rock formations in Cappadochia millions of years ago. We slowly dropped down towards the ground, over melon fields and the valleys and pointed fairy castles. We could see the truck with the guys who were supposed to help us land driving around trying to figure out where ...

... the clocks were set at 9:05 which is when Ataturk died in this palace. We then drove to airport to meet dad and fly to Cappadochia. We are staying at hotel that is made into real caves, where people used to live. There are cave houses everywhere, like the Flintstones. It is very cool. The room for Lu and me is tiny and is in the real cave. I have never slept in a cave before. They built these caves beginning in the 4th century and some even before. Really old!

... part of the trip was by far the hot air balloon ride. Such an incredible way to see the scenery. Its such a peaceful and serene experience, take off for sunrise, ascend to 1000 feet ...

... turns out I was going the wrong way and had I kept walking I'd have ended up in the next town some eight or ten k from Goreme. He gave me some more water and set me off in the right direction. The hike I took on day three down Zeml Valley was much less eventful but every bit as satisfying. So was the dip in the cool pool afterwards. Next up, Olympos. Oh boy, another 12 overnight hour bus ride.

... the Turkish Nights dance show. In the carpark we were greeted by security guards with walkie talkies, who checked that we were in the right place and then escorted us down into the cave restaurant. We were shown into a large empty cavern. As we moved towards our table we finally saw two other couples nibbling away at their meals. It was a large space for six people. Once the buses arrived the room started to fill up. The dancing started with ...

... showed us his write-up in the Frommer's guide (very positive) and we started to listen with a bit of interest. We had always intended to buy some carpets in Turkey, but until now were not in the right frame of mind. After looking at a few (dozen) different rugs of different styles, we settled on a couple that we wanted to buy. Let the negotiating begin! Faruk suggested a price for each item and then gave us a small discount. I said that if this ...