Cappadocia and the Kaya Hotel
This area is one of the most unique areas that I have ever visited. Our tour arrived via bus very late at night to the Kaya Hotel, so we really did not have any idea what we were about to witness. Our first real surprise was the hotel itself. It is a hotel carved out of the rock, common in the surrounding area. It made for a cramped bathroom, but the rooms were cozy and the bar area was very cool.
The characteristic topography around Cappadocia is rock created by volcanic ash that hardened over time into soft rock. Those living in the area have carved entire cities underground and created homes out of rocks that jet up out of the ground. They are called Fairy Chimneys. Many Fairy Chimneys and man made caves were visible right off of our balcony. Imagine waking up to this view for the first time!
View more of the scenery behind the Kay Hotel in this YouTube Short, An Otherworldly View!
The Underground City of Kaymakli
Cappadocia is a large area made up of at least ten towns. Our next adventure was a short drive from our hotel at the Underground City of Kamakli. There are several underground cities in the area. They were built for the locals to hide and remain safe from invaders from different nations. The first cities were built in the Eighth and Seventh Centuries BC.
Kaymakli extends for eight levels underground (only four levels are open to the public). It includes a horse stable, a kitchen, storage areas, rooms to make wine and olive oil, and there is even a church. It was built to accommodate 2,000 people or so. I will say they must have been pretty small people. There were tunnels that I had to get on my hands and knees to make it through. I had to find low areas in the ground to stand up straight.
View the Underground City Of Kaymakli in this YouTube Short, Almost Mystical.
Fairy Chimneys
We visited several areas that featured Fairy Chimneys. I thought it was interesting to find out that many of these chimneys were inhabited as recently as the 1980's. You will notice in the picture below that many of the chimney tops are basalt, a darker, more dense rock than the softer and whiter rock below. They really do look like Fairy Chimneys and they are beautiful.
This one looks like a camel!
View more Fairy Chimneys in this YouTube Short, The Mystical Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.
The Hot Air Balloons of Cappadocia
We had the option of going up in a hot air balloon very early one morning. Mary Margaret and I opted out because neither one of us thought we enjoy being up that high. I think we made a mistake. The morning our friends went up in the balloons, I was up at 4 am and awaiting their ascent on our hotel back terrace. It was an awesome sight. There were over 300 colorful balloons rising up over the landscape while the sun was rising behind them. It was magical!
Yes, we should have made the ascent and enjoyed the views from a balloon. Next time! ! !
View the hot air balloons of Cappadocia in this YouTube Short, The Balloons of Cappadocia, Spectacular!
Thank you to Dr. Paula McDonald and Kathy Streib for hosting this month's challenge. This is my second entry! One more to go!
More Turkish Adventures
Istanbul, Turkey (Part One)
Istanbul, A Real Turkish Delight (Part Two)
Adventures in Turkey (Part Three)
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