Cave Town Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a region in almost the dead centre of Turkey. It is a compeltely unique place that is known for its unique moon like landscape, underground cities, rock formations called Fairy Chimneys and cave churches. We headed from one amazing destination in Pamukkale to another on an overnight bus (what a horrible way to travel).

We stayed at a really cool hostel in called Valley Rock in the town of Goreme, we were lucky enough to be allowed to check in and have a sleep even though our night bus arrived at 7am in the morning! 

After we slept for another few hours to semi-recover from the overnight bus we spent the day exploring our surrounding area. We kind of just started walking and the first place we explored was Honey Valley. It actually felt like a whole other planet, there are so many crazy rock formations and the landscape is just so unique.

The above formation is of a rock formation that the locals refer to as Fairy Chimneys - there are literally hundreds of them everywhere (as you can see in the photo behind me)!

We took plenty of photos of the cool moon-like rock formations in the valley, there are literally hundreds of valleys to explore in this region and the hiking is supposed to be world class which is usually something I'd be right into, except that is was 38 degrees!!!

Another awesome panorama, fairy chimneys for miles!

Our next stop was the Goreme Open Air Museum, definitely one of the better museums we have been too, lots of exploring and you were allowed to touch everything haha! The museum of mostly made up of cave churches and buildings dating back to the stone age.

As you can see Michael is too big for the cave houses in Goreme.

There are heaps of rock formations with cave houses built into them - I have no idea how they all climbed up so high but they are really amazing!

We got a pretty good view over the valleys of Goreme from the Open Air Museum.

In the below picture (top left) are a series of cave houses that are really high up in the rock formations, these are called pidgeon holes.

In the above pic (bottom right) is a table that was in one of the stone houses, most of the houses had these long tables and benches for people to sit - according to a tour guide I overhead they usually ate in big groups sitting around these tables. 

From the Open Air Museum we headed through one of the other Valley (I want to say Red Valley) but only briefly because 38 degrees isn't the ideal weather to be walking around a desert like area!

There are lots of paths so this is obviously something people come here to do. There were also plenty of varied rock formations, fairy chimneys and cave houses - this region is seriously like a place from another planet!

Now for the absolute highlight of our trip to Turkey and possible the whole of Europe: hot air ballooning!

Warning: brace youselves for a lot of photos of hot air balloons.

We were picked up from our hostel at the lovely time of 4:10am, fortunately I was buzzing with excitement and not too worried but it was definitely weird being up at that time of day. We were driven out to Rainbow Ballons head office and given coffee (YAY), tea and some biscuits while they got everything sorted. We were then driven out to their take off site, aka the middle of nowhere. When we arrived they had already started blowing up our balloon

We got to watch the balloon being completely blown up, it was actually really hot and really loud when they were pumping the hot air into the balloon. I thought I would be terrified on take off (I hate heights) but it actually wasn't scary at all. 

Our first picutre together in the hot air balloon not long after take off, we both look pretty tired but hopefully it's not too obvious (I don't actually think I'm that tanned but the light seemed to be amplifying it). There were about 20 other people in the balloon and not a lot of space but it was still an amazing view!

THE VIEW WAS AMAZING.

INDESCRIBABLE.

It was still pretty dark when the balloon first went up but we had the view of our lifetimes as we got to watch the sun slowly rise amongst a sea of hot air balloons. 

My favourite photo.

There are roughly 200 hot air balloon flights each morning in Cappadocia, that is more than anywhere else in the world and it makes for an amazing spectacle, we felt like we were floating through the clouds and surrounded by hot air balloons.

Our pilot was a really funny guy, playing music the whole time and makin jokes! It really added to the fun atmosphere! He also seemed to enjoy playing songs with the hot air that was keeping up afloat which was interesting. He later told us he has traveled to seven other countries to fly balloons in hot air balloon festivals, what an awesome job!

 The colours of the sky as the sun started rising amongst all the hot air balloons were amazing! I don't think we could have asked for a more perfect morning!

Michael and I had such a great experience!

Apologises for the abundance of photos, they all look so good that I couldn't choose between them!

Fortunately our flight lasted for exactly an hour, it was the perfect length of time for us to take in the atmosphere and beautiful view and really enjoy this incredible once in a life time opportunity. 

I think it's safe to say that this is one of the best things I have ever done in my life, I am unbelievably greatful we were able to travel all the way out to isolated Cappadocia to experience something so amazing. Being in one of hundreds of hot air balloons flying over the Cappadocia landscape as the run rose would have to rate as one of the happiest moments of my life.

The sun finally rose towards the end of our flight! Then it was time for a champagne breakfast (minus the breakfast). 

After our flight we were all treated to champagne (mixed with some kind of super sweet syrup), which we were happy with since we didn't realise that was gonna happen!

Michael and I at our landing site somewhere in Cappadocia after what was one of the most enjoyable and memborable experiences of my entire life. We also got flight certificates, well Megan Warling and Michael Herrin did (they corrected our names afterwards haha).

A few random photos of Cappadocia, the hostel we stayed at had a lovely cool pool in the backyard, which happened to be surrounded by rock formations and cave houses - it was pretty surreal. Also some amazing Turkish food that I had, it was kinda like lamb sausage rolls with mint yoghurt dipping sauce - delicious! The middle photo is of a typical Turkish shop selling souvenirs and rugs.

We spent another day lazing by the pool then heading to Uschir Castle. It's pictured on the right and is a cave castle! We had to walk up a lot of stairs to get to the top!

This small town (Uschir) is the highest point of the Cappadocia region and from the top of this old castle you have a 360 degree view that streches for miles!

The amazing landscape of Cappadocia!

Some pics of Michael and I enjoying the amazing view over Cappadocia, the entire landscape is filled with crazy rock formations and fairy chimneys - it was pretty awesome, unfortunately it doesn't turn out great in photos.

Note: the not so stable fence preventing us from falling to our deaths haha!

Well, Cappadocia is by far one of the most beautiful and unique places I have ever visited and I am so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to experience it's charms! Turkey has certainly delivered!