Turkey - Cappadocia

 1974

Friday, 5th July

We left Kayseri after breakfast and after Neil had changed a worn fan belt and made our way to Cappadocia. We went to the first village but there were too many followers so we went on to Urgup and visited the tourist office and found out about camping 'en francais’. Looked around the shops and had a meal with wine! It was pretty dreadful. Found a good camping place at a proper camping site about 5 kms. outside the town and had a hot shower. We went for a drive after sunset to Goreme and finished up at a restaurant in Urgup and talked to a queer South African who was drunk. Bought some Raki before coming back and drunk some before bed.

Saturday, 6th July

The others did some washing and we re-organised the van a bit, then did nothing much for the rest of the morning except for setting the grass on fire with the petrol stove. It spread very quickly but luckily we had a lot of water to pour over it. Went to Goreme in the afternoon which was really interesting. Was followed by a Turk for most of the time which was infuriating. He only went into the places that I did. He had a large camera with him but only took one picture of me! Drove to Nevsehir and had a blow-out meal with beer. Looked for a camping site and found one on a dead river bed well off the road. Had a game of chess with Glen and lost. Stomach very angry in the night.

Sunday, 7th July

I had the runs all day and was sick. We went first to Zelve and saw the fairy chimneys and trog dwellings then went on to a subterranian city. Unfortunately I wasn't well enough to see any of it. Decided we'd 'done Cappadocia and left for the coast. Stopped to buy food in Nigde and camped by the road quite a way from there. A man was on the hill keeping bees and he gave us some honey for nothing. Had a lovely meal, except for me. A hot day.

2025

Friday 13th June

We had a private transfer from Kayseri to Cappadocia.  We didn’t think the Kayseri hotel could be bettered but we were wrong.  We are staying in the Hezen Cave Hotel and we are in a room carved out of the rock.  We have a huge bathroom and the views from the terraces are breathtaking.  We spent the afternoon at Goreme looking for the places we had been to before.  I think we found the camp site and we certainly found where Neil had taken a photo of me, have a look and see the subtle differences.  The whole area is a museum now where photos are not allowed in the churches.  In 1974 we could roam freely but now there are restrictions.   There were no hotels in the area but now there are about 120 boutique hotels like ours built into the hillside.  

Saturday 14th June

It was raining a bit in the morning which was very welcome as it had become so hot in previous days.  I was pleased we hadn’t booked a balloon ride as they were all cancelled this morning.  We went on a full day tour of Cappadocia which included Zelve, various valleys and a stop for lunch. We also went to a pottery workshop which was interesting but we didn’t buy anything.  We were pleased we went to Goreme yesterday as it wasn’t included on today’s tour.  To be honest we have seen rather too many fairy chimneys.  I think we have probably done Cappadocia again now!