Cappadocia - What to not miss

Bhumika:Knowing your US visa can be a gateway to Turkey is a big relief and when I downloaded that eVisa in a minute, I was like……..finally, one more long pending wish…..hooh!! But weather check was not encourageous. With doubts and hopes, the trip finally started. Turkey was one of the rarest trip where planning time was minimal and could not do much research too. Flying to Cappadocia on second day of landing in Istanbul, that too based on some online suggestions, felt like a rush and on airport when I observed the current temperature in Cappadocia as -8 C, a thought to cancel the trip to Cappadocia crossed mind but …. But discovering Cappadocia was that once in a lifetime feeling of being amazed and impressed and influenced by natural beauty. 2 days in Cappadocia and camera full of memories, when I left Cappadocia, I knew how and what I wanted to write about this place. And thats why this photo tour….. Everyone who has visited Cappadocia will agree that you cannot describe the beauty in words and so I will work smart :-). Why to bore you with those black and white letters when you can see the colorful images and imagine yourself in it? As the title says, this is just first part of Photo Tour to mesmerizing Cappadocia. I am planning to publish at least 5 parts (yes, as I said, camera full of memories)…..so stay tuned 🙂 Today…..the most beautiful part of Cappadocia (or at least I think so) – Ihlara Valley. To introduce Ihlara Valley, the guide said…as the US has Grand Canyons, we have Ihlara Valley. I was not impressed with the statement knowing Grand Canyons and beauty around. But this photo tour will tell you how I felt good by being proven wrong for one more time…. Ok…..OK…..no more words……only colors….. Enjoy!!

Bhumika:On the list of UNESCO world heritage site since 1984, the Goreme Open Air Museum is accessible from every part of region in just 15 minutes. Well-known for the rock-cut churches and amazing frescos, Open Air Museum represents historical unity. Most of the churches here are from 10th, 11th and 12th century and history behind each of it is really interesting. Weather erosion for years have created the rocks into unbelievable shapes and small entrances led into man-made cave churches. Prefer to visit with tour guide, who can explain history of each church and soon, without realizing it, you will find yourself imagining life as a Christian fleeing the Romans and living in fear of Arab invasions.

Bhumika:Mostly known as Monks Valley, it is situated between Goreme and Avanos region. I was taken aback when the tour bus stopped and I looked around to understand how the next location looked like. WHAT A BEAUTY !!….thats how I responded to the tour guide, who asked me how did I like it. And I am sure, after starting the virtual tour, your response will be same too. The mushroom shaped pillars have formed due to the effects of wind and rain on the soft rock but they have become widely known as fairy chimney. Walking around those spectacular cone topped rock pillars, enjoying camel ride around and enjoying snow under feet were the highlight of that evening. But you know what mesmerized me more? The history of fairy Chimneys aka Monks Valley. Impressed with the isolation and the peace provided by the region, the well-known monk St Simeon, took refuge here. He had built his home 15 meters above the ground in one the fairy chimneys, descending only to collect the offerings of food and water that his followers brought to him. Many other monks were able to hollow out the soft volcanic stuff inside the pillars and create narrow staircases leading up to the cone shaped shelters which they used as living quarters. Some of the pillars are split into two or even three chimneys and let me tell you this….Visit this location in winter and summer both. In winter, the snow around will give you the perfect brown and white backgroud for beautiful pictures and summer will give you an opportunity to crawl inside the rock and climb the staircases to gaze out over the moon-like landscape.