Sights of Cappadocia -- July 5

This post is to catch up on our final day in Cappadocia.  We started with a balloon ride.  Left hotel at 4:40 a.m. for ride to Rose Valley.  Here they are literally firiıng up the balloon!

Göreme at sunrise

Over 100 balloons in the air.  Our pilot said there is currently no limit to the number of balloons that can be airborne at any given hour.  From time to time they bump into each other.  It's okay as long as the basket doesn't hıt the canvas.

Floating past a cave dwelling of the Hittites and 3rd century Christians

Returned to the hotel at 8:00 leaving us time for a short nap before breakfast.  Our hike adventure was 11 km from Göreme through Pigeon Valley to Uçhisar, up to the Castle (the largest intact cave dwelling in the area) and back via White and Love Valleys.  Packed plenty of water since it's toasty warm today.  We connected with Gloria from Hong Kong (born and raised in Australia) for the better part of the hike up.  She's with Morgan Stanley ın Hong Kong; had a great discussion about international banking and our & her travels.  Turns out the international perspective is that the US is the primary driver for the financial meltdown thanks to our lack of regulations and checks & balances compared to the rest of the world.  No surprise there.

Entering Pigeon Valley

Amazing rock formations.  The locals call the rock lufa which is similar to lava and limestone.

Esau the Turtle as he crossed our path.  Naturally we named him.

More cool formations

Solar arrays on virtually every rooftop.  Doesn't matter how grand or modest the structure, the Turks have it going on with solar!

Swank car ın Uçhısar.  We were going to steal it for Bob Greene but couldn't find a spare key anywhere.

Entering Whıte Valley from Uçhisar.  We need to get through here for our return to Göreme.  It really isn't as far as it looks...okay, the return kicked our butts.  We very smartly did not pack sunscreen.  Luckily we met a couple from the US heading up to Uçhisar who were kind enough to share theirs.  We still got a little burned but much less than I anticipated.

Apricot trees throughout the valleys.  Nice snack during the hikes.  We did take care to take only a few -- hey, the locals do it -- and we don't trample our way across fields of melons, onions or other vegetables to grab an apricot.

The locals tell us that the second Star Wars film was filmed in this valley.  Since neither of us have seen any Star Wars films other than the first we shall take their word for it.

More cave dwellings!  Some as still inhabited by farmers and shepards.

Out of White Valley and into Love Valley.  Or as we call it The Land of the Penii.

Coming out of the valleys.  What lies ahead is a crazy bad walk along the highway for 2 kms.  Lucky for us, a Turkish Air Force officer and his family stopped and gave us a ride.  A welcome luxury after 6 hours hiking the hills and valleys of Cappadocia.

We are packed for the next leg of the trip.  Early shuttle to Kayseri for the flight to Izmer to be followed by a bus ride to our Aegean sea town of...well, I don't have the correct spelling on me but will certainly share it tomorrow.