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Day 6, Tuesday 8 October
Balancing Act…….. I’ve already mentioned that I thought Demora Hotel is a bit too far from public transport links except for taxis, of course and we have relied on these to get around the city for between 20 and 25 Turkish lire which is not expensive. Unlike Istanbul, the city is modern and compact. We seem to have achieved the right balance between comfort and convenience at Demora Hotel but it’s now time to leave.
Asti Ortogar (Asti bus station)…….. As we leave Demora Hotel, I must praise the staff for their service. It’s been a pleasure to stay here. With our luggage quickly loaded into a taxi, we’re on our way for the 15-minute journey to the Asti Ortogar (bus station) noting my pronunciation ‘otogar’ in Turkish with a little help, is now corrected to ‘otogash’. Arriving at the bus terminal there are so many companies operating national services but we quickly find one to Nevşehir with an imminent departure at 11am. The arrival should be around 3 pm.
Ankara Departure…….. The journey to Nevşehir is uneventful and somewhat boring. The plain is featureless and barren. However, there is plenty of evidence of agriculture. It’s just that it’s now end of season with little vegetation to be seen in the fields. It must be that during the spring the rivers and lakes are full of melt water offering enough irrigation for crops. Certainly, in the markets all over Turkey there is no shortage of vegetables and fruits of all kinds and of great variety.
Nevşehir Arrival…….. Timing is not that critical today and we arrive at 3:30 pm but there is some confusion since we were told that a shuttle bus for Göreme would be available free of charge. Well, in the end we have to wait until 4:45pm for a minibus. In the meantime, we manage to book a return journey all the way back to Istanbul after our stay in Göreme. This journey will take all day at a cost of 120 Turkish lira per person; not at all bad given the distance.
On to Göreme…….. Once on the bus we hand over small change. The journey to Göreme is just 15 minutes but on departure the short wheelbase vehicle makes a circuit around the town of Nevşehir to pick up passengers. From here it exits east ascending to a ridge. Then Wow! That spark arrives as we gaze into the broad valley below. The valley is cluttered with rock stacks like cones or spires, many of them containing cave dwellings long abandoned. However, nestled in the valley is the town of Göreme where these cave dwellings are not only a tourist attraction but have been expanded into modern accommodation units, some in the caves, others constructed on top with attractive roof terraces. It’s into this scene we arrive soon after. In Göreme there is a small bus station in the town but we are dropped off on the roadside. We now need to get our bearings to find our accommodation.
Balancing Act…….. I’ve already mentioned that I thought Demora Hotel is a bit too far from public transport links except for taxis, of course and we have relied on these to get around the city for between 20 and 25 Turkish lire which is not expensive. Unlike Istanbul, the city is modern and compact. We seem to have achieved the right balance between comfort and convenience at Demora Hotel but it’s now time to leave.
Asti Ortogar (Asti bus station)…….. As we leave Demora Hotel, I must praise the staff for their service. It’s been a pleasure to stay here. With our luggage quickly loaded into a taxi, we’re on our way for the 15-minute journey to the Asti Ortogar (bus station) noting my pronunciation ‘otogar’ in Turkish with a little help, is now corrected to ‘otogash’. Arriving at the bus terminal there are so many companies operating national services but we quickly find one to Nevşehir with an imminent departure at 11am. The arrival should be around 3 pm.
Ankara Departure…….. The journey to Nevşehir is uneventful and somewhat boring. The plain is featureless and barren. However, there is plenty of evidence of agriculture. It’s just that it’s now end of season with little vegetation to be seen in the fields. It must be that during the spring the rivers and lakes are full of melt water offering enough irrigation for crops. Certainly, in the markets all over Turkey there is no shortage of vegetables and fruits of all kinds and of great variety.
Nevşehir Arrival…….. Timing is not that critical today and we arrive at 3:30 pm but there is some confusion since we were told that a shuttle bus for Göreme would be available free of charge. Well, in the end we have to wait until 4:45pm for a minibus. In the meantime, we manage to book a return journey all the way back to Istanbul after our stay in Göreme. This journey will take all day at a cost of 120 Turkish lira per person; not at all bad given the distance.
On to Göreme…….. Once on the bus we hand over small change. The journey to Göreme is just 15 minutes but on departure the short wheelbase vehicle makes a circuit around the town of Nevşehir to pick up passengers. From here it exits east ascending to a ridge. Then Wow! That spark arrives as we gaze into the broad valley below. The valley is cluttered with rock stacks like cones or spires, many of them containing cave dwellings long abandoned. However, nestled in the valley is the town of Göreme where these cave dwellings are not only a tourist attraction but have been expanded into modern accommodation units, some in the caves, others constructed on top with attractive roof terraces. It’s into this scene we arrive soon after. In Göreme there is a small bus station in the town but we are dropped off on the roadside. We now need to get our bearings to find our accommodation.
Nevşehir (left), Göreme (centre) and Coco Cave in Göreme (right)
Cocoa Cave Arrival……..
According to the GPS navigation, Cocoa Cave is just 500 m away so is walkable. However, it is still one of the hotels further up a hill requiring a stiff walk with luggage up the narrow-cobbled streets. Was there transport available I wonder? Arriving at Cocoa Cave we are given the option of a cave room or a room built above with a view. Katoon feels the cave room will be too stuffy. I’m not sure that it isn’t what we came for but Katoon usually has the final word with room selection.
Cocoa Cave has its fair share of steps to keep in with the available contours of the hill. The room is smaller than we’ve been used so far and has a rustic internal appearance built of block with no render. It’s generally acceptable and has a good view of the town. There is no fridge but that may not be necessary in the cooler conditions. One final positive is that I’m able to get a good Internet signal. We now have to make the best of our stay having come this far.
Finally, we walk down into the town square where Katoon wanders around trying to find something suitable from the wide range of choice from restaurant menus. To some extent, I sympathise. After two weeks in Turkey now I’m getting a little bored with it too. The excellent fish dishes available in Istanbul and Eceabat are generally missing here or are expensive. Back at the room, it’s an early night but an uncomfortable one as I experience sinus trouble as well as other minor irritations including noisy neighbours. Next Page.
Cocoa Cave has its fair share of steps to keep in with the available contours of the hill. The room is smaller than we’ve been used so far and has a rustic internal appearance built of block with no render. It’s generally acceptable and has a good view of the town. There is no fridge but that may not be necessary in the cooler conditions. One final positive is that I’m able to get a good Internet signal. We now have to make the best of our stay having come this far.
Finally, we walk down into the town square where Katoon wanders around trying to find something suitable from the wide range of choice from restaurant menus. To some extent, I sympathise. After two weeks in Turkey now I’m getting a little bored with it too. The excellent fish dishes available in Istanbul and Eceabat are generally missing here or are expensive. Back at the room, it’s an early night but an uncomfortable one as I experience sinus trouble as well as other minor irritations including noisy neighbours. Next Page.