View of the monastery of Saint Basil in Cappadocia, Turkey. Photograph by Deniz Beyazit
«The first stop on our journey to Turkey was Cappadocia, inhabited since Hittite times and famous for its unique landscape, where wind and erosion naturally created deep valleys of sand-dune-like formations and its characteristic Peri chimneys.»
On our first day we discovered the many caves carved and inhabited by the Christians. Some of them, like the Tokali—or "Bucket"—Church, bear impressive wall paintings. Part of the program was also a visit to Avanos, an old Greek town where we watched craftsmen and masters making and decorating all kinds of ceramics. The day ended with a spectacular Sufi ceremony of the whirling dervish turners, held in a thirteenth-century caravanserai.
The next day began early with an unforgettable balloon trip, which allowed us to enjoy the scenery at sunrise from the sky. The trip was followed by visits to several of the region's spectacular underground cities, which were carved to serve as temporary refuge homes during assaults and occupation by various enemies.
Tomorrow we are off to Ankara to visit the recently opened Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Cappadocia, Turkey, as seen from a hot-air balloon. Photograph by Deniz Beyazit