We began by spending a few days in Kyrenia (Girne) in northern Cyprus
where we admired the historic harbor, wandered around a castle captured
in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart, saw a ship wrecked in the
4th century, and swam in the Mediterranean. Then we took a ferry to Turkey's
southern coast and spent a night in Kizkalesi before heading for Mersin.
From Mersin, we took a bus and shuttle to Göreme in Cappadocia where
we spent the rest of our vacation. The photographs were all taken in Turkey
but the map comes from Google.
Turkey show -001 Maiden's Castle
We swam to this crusader castle 600 meters off the
Mediterranean shore in the resort town of Kizkalesi.
Turkey Show -002 Fairy Chimney
Inn
Here's where we stayed in Cappadocia.
Turkey show -003 Battal room and toilet tank
Our room was once part of a cave monastery. In the bathroom,
the toilet tank doubles as a fish bowl.
Turkey show -004 Göreme
This is the modern town, viewed from
the Inn on the hillside.
Turkey show -005 balloons over Cappadocia
This is a favorite tourist activity.
Turkey show -006 balloon inflates
Very early one morning, we did it, too.
Turkey show -007 balloon basket
You stand up during the ride which lasts about an hour.
It's chilly in the early morning.
(Taken from the balloon.)
Turkey show -008 valley
There are lots of balloons out there.
(Taken from the balloon.)
Turkey show -009 fairy chimneys and abandoned homes
In earlier times, Cappadocians lived in caves hollowed
out from the tuff that forms these odd rock shapes.
(Taken from the balloon.)
Turkey show -010 fairy chimneys and pigeon houses
The little holes are pigeon coops. The
pigeons were raised for their guano.
(Taken from the balloon.)
Turkey show -011 rude boys
Another kind of rock formation in the valleys.
(Taken from the balloon.)
Turkey show -012 more chimney dwellings
(Taken from the balloon.)
Turkey show -013 hidden church in Göreme open
air museum
Turkey show -014 the front has crumbled
off
but you can still see the paintings
Turkey show -015 another ruined church
Turkey show -016 a surviving fresco
Turkey show -017 White valley
Turkey show -018
Turkey show -019
Turkey show -020 from Aprakhisar
Monastery
This was halfway up the monastery. The
room had been a stable, perhaps.
Turkey show -021 abandoned village, Zelve open air museum
This village was abandoned in 1924 after some of the rock
dwellings crumbled.
Turkey show -022 abandoned village,
Zelve open air museum
Turkey show -023 in Zelve
Turkey show -024 in Devrent Valley
This is called Imagination Valley because
of the shapes you can see in the rocks. The camel is an obvious
one.
Turkey show -025 Mustafapasa (Sinasos)
This was a Greek city until the exchange of population
between Greece and Turkey in 1924.
Turkey show -026 the wise fool Hodja
Nesreddin
An old Greek house there is now a guesthouse
and museum filled with dolls the owner's mother made and displays.
Turkey show -027 donkey librarian Mustafa Güzelgöz
Most of the dolls are set in scenes. This tells the story
of a traveling librarian who brought books on the back of his
donkey in the 1920s.
Turkey show -028 Ilhara valley
This area is famous for its greenery
and running stream.
Turkey show -029 Ilhara valley
There are cave dwellings and abandoned churches here,
too.
Turkey show -030 farmers in Ilhara
valley
These farmers have just harvested corn
and are loading it on the back of their donkey.
Turkey show -031 and donkey
A Brazilian tourist watches the donkey go by.
Turkey show -032 carpets for sale
in Göreme
Turkey show -033 from Derinkuyu
While Skip explored the underground city, I explored
the town and market.
Turkey show -034 from Derinkuyu
Turkey show -035 from Derinkuyu
Turkey show -036 from Derinkuyu
Turkey show -037 from Derinkuyu
You can see that this mosque was once a Christian church.
Turkey show -038 in Goreme
A woman does her laundry in the early morning.
Solar panels heat most people's hot water.
