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Day 7, Thursday 9 October
Furthest Point…….. So here we are, well over 700 km from Istanbul in a dream destination especially for Katoon who selected and researched this location. I must have had some sleep since I awake with Katoon staring out of the window with great excitement at what Göreme is famous for. It’s after sunrise and possibly 100 balloons are airborne. Such a sight is just magical against the curious weathered landscape. We spend the next hour on the terrace taking and sharing photos with Katoon giving a running commentary to her friends back in Thailand. However, it’s just the first morning and quite what activities we might get involved in is still unknown.
Enquiries…….. The first breakfast in Cocoa Cave does not live up to the offerings at the Demora Hotel in Ankara understandably, but neither does it match the budget accommodation in Eceabat. However, the bread rolls are nice and it’s good enough. It’s time to head into town for the first time to get our bearings. Here there are souvenir shops, travel agencies and restaurants associated with a robust tourist industry. One thing soon becomes apparent; whatever we decide to do in the way of activities it’s bound to be expensive.
After an hour or so we’ve collected enough information but make no activity plans, just confirming our travel plans to return to Istanbul in a few days time.
Questions about Coco Cave…….. It sure has been a struggle for me to make it up to Coco Cave up the steep cobbled streets. I’m concerned that making this trip several times per day will cause discomfort and inconvenience. Believing Katoon is just make enquiries, I follow her to a couple of hotels much closer to the city square. Are we about to change rooms?
Mevlana Cave…….. At Mevlana Cave the rooms are more expensive and there is no breakfast but there is just one flight of stairs and Katoon is enthusiastic. Totally out of the blue we decide to use it for at least two days here in Göreme especially as I haven’t paid yet for the room in Cocoa Cave. It’s time for lunch, which not for the first time in Turkey seems rather bland. Back at the room it’s siesta time.
Furthest Point…….. So here we are, well over 700 km from Istanbul in a dream destination especially for Katoon who selected and researched this location. I must have had some sleep since I awake with Katoon staring out of the window with great excitement at what Göreme is famous for. It’s after sunrise and possibly 100 balloons are airborne. Such a sight is just magical against the curious weathered landscape. We spend the next hour on the terrace taking and sharing photos with Katoon giving a running commentary to her friends back in Thailand. However, it’s just the first morning and quite what activities we might get involved in is still unknown.
Enquiries…….. The first breakfast in Cocoa Cave does not live up to the offerings at the Demora Hotel in Ankara understandably, but neither does it match the budget accommodation in Eceabat. However, the bread rolls are nice and it’s good enough. It’s time to head into town for the first time to get our bearings. Here there are souvenir shops, travel agencies and restaurants associated with a robust tourist industry. One thing soon becomes apparent; whatever we decide to do in the way of activities it’s bound to be expensive.
After an hour or so we’ve collected enough information but make no activity plans, just confirming our travel plans to return to Istanbul in a few days time.
Questions about Coco Cave…….. It sure has been a struggle for me to make it up to Coco Cave up the steep cobbled streets. I’m concerned that making this trip several times per day will cause discomfort and inconvenience. Believing Katoon is just make enquiries, I follow her to a couple of hotels much closer to the city square. Are we about to change rooms?
Mevlana Cave…….. At Mevlana Cave the rooms are more expensive and there is no breakfast but there is just one flight of stairs and Katoon is enthusiastic. Totally out of the blue we decide to use it for at least two days here in Göreme especially as I haven’t paid yet for the room in Cocoa Cave. It’s time for lunch, which not for the first time in Turkey seems rather bland. Back at the room it’s siesta time.
Gizli Bahçe viewpoint (left) and Karşıbucak Yusuf Koç Kilisesi (centre), Mevlana Cave (right)
On foot……..
By mid-afternoon with batteries recharged we head back into town. It may be possible to make it up to the Gizli Bahçe viewpoint which lies back along the road to Nevşehir where we first caught a glimpse of that amazing view of Göreme. The road out of town is not that steep and has a good surface for walking. We give it a go and I find I can cope with it. The viewpoint at the summit must be a couple of kilometres out of town and takes nearly an hour but the site has souvenir shops and refreshments. When we arrive, there are just a few vehicles parked up but we soon find out that this is one of the stops on a tour. Nevertheless, we have a chance to take a break, have a coffee and take in that gorgeous view.
No Complaints…….. At around 5pm we make our way back into Göreme, choosing not to have dinner. I’m happier buying something from a local store to eat in the room. Brack at Coco Cave, I settle up for two nights making some excuse for moving. In the grand scheme of things, I have few complaints today. I managed to draw some extra cash from a cash machine to cover a tour. Now I just hope for a better night’s sleep. Next Page.
No Complaints…….. At around 5pm we make our way back into Göreme, choosing not to have dinner. I’m happier buying something from a local store to eat in the room. Brack at Coco Cave, I settle up for two nights making some excuse for moving. In the grand scheme of things, I have few complaints today. I managed to draw some extra cash from a cash machine to cover a tour. Now I just hope for a better night’s sleep. Next Page.