At last – I've been wanting to go to Cappadocia in Central Turkey for years, since seeing the amazing rock formations and cave dwellings in one of my beloved travel inspiration books what seems like a really loooooong time ago.
And amazingly – Hawksey & I have now ticked that mini dream off the bucket list.
Had a fab 5 nights in a hotel literally glued to the side of a lump of ancient volcanic eruption – with the only downside being the immense number of steps to get from the room to the restaurant etc. Eeeek – never forget your book/phone and have to go back to the room in that place..
Best thing of all was the absolutely incredible hot air balloon trip one sunrise morning over the rocky, cave-y, surreal formations, as part of 150 balloons – what a sight both of the land and up in the air. All as the sun was coming up – just breathtaking. Feel very very lucky to have nailed that, not least as the balloon trip had been cancelled the previous 3 days due to too much wind. Which also caused our arrival flight to be cancelled, then the replacement diverted to an entirely different airport – v pleased that our driver chappy came to rescue us from there at 10pm!
Also had an excellent guide for our few days – and even he could see the irony that his name was 'Turgay'.. you, keep saying it and you'll get it.
Took us round endless fairy chimneys, mushroom chimneys, walked through a gorge, clambered up and into ancient churches, caves and even an underground world where the Christians used to hide from the muslims… or vice versa, depending who had the upper hand that century. Even a quick lesson in pigeon poo – they built lots of rounded hollows in caves for pigeons to roost in and therefore poop in – using it for fertiliser. Not daft those ancient Turks..
All in all some utterly spectacular views that even Mr H rather loved. As well as a cold Efes at the end of each day, overlooking the landscape and the slightly too close minaret. No wonder the hotel provided ear plugs each night.. Slightly regretting the insane jeep safari – no, it seems by 4 broken ribs haven't quite mended yet and being tossed around the rear of a jeep for several hours, banging on the seat ribbing and generally being yanked about, isn't such a fine recuperative plan..
Also managed to drag him not only for a pedicure done by a Belorussian – that was a first – but even better for an hour's hamman done by two tiny Thai ladies on the usual marble slab. Zero decency/privacy as you lie there being scrubbed to within an inch of your life, but once you get used to it, the deep clean and smoothness of skin is incredibly satisfying..
And thence we headed back to Istanbul to meet Mark & Charlie for a few days of entirely different Turkish experiences ranging from wandering round the Grand Bazaar, eating turkish delight and baklava, seeing a sound & light show in an underground cistern and traipsing round all the mosques with our local guide, to a few fancy meals out in great restaurants overlooking the Bosphorus. And a lot of humid sweating… No least when we walked up the huge hill to our hotel from the tram stop, never ever again!
Considering we four were meant to have a long weekend in Dorset 2 years ago, which of course got Covid kiboshed, this was a very fine alternative. So, so good to have some proper time to hang out, catch up and laugh – I LOVE this photo of Mark!
Left the boys there for an extra couple of days of R&R, as we are now home for 24 hours, doing lots of washing, visiting oldies, having chemo and generally sorting our shit out before hading to Tony Franco's 60th party in Italy – Peroni ahoy! A right mad July but only 1 other trip this year, so life will be calmer soon.
Good job too – I'm knackered! And really not keen on seeing another Turkish meat kebab or any of its little meaty lookalike chums for a very long time. x