Flintstones, Fairy Tale Chimneys, and NASA. These are just a few words that comes to mind when you think of Cappadocia in Central Turkey. This region's geography is made of soft volcanic rock - over millions of years wind and water eroded the mountains forming moonscape like formations and fairy tale chimneys. Cappadocia's early inhabitants were the Hittites, around 2000 BC. From the soft volcanic rocks, they carved homes and communities inside the mountains as well as underground storage. The early Christians came and settled here as these caves and underground passages were the perfect hideout to escape persecution. They then expanded and added rooms to the mountainsides, which the largest rock monastery has around 5 levels. Below the earth, or should I say rock, Cappadocia's largest underground community is 11 levels, but only up to the 7th levels are open. Excavations could not continue without compromising integrity of the existing community.
Every morning, dozens of balloons rise above the valley to get the sunrise views
Landscape of fairytale chimneys dots Cappadocia. Soft volcanic rocks, windswept over time creates these shapes naturally.
Cave Room - Some rooms in the hotel are actually part of the mountainside. This was a stone arch room.
View of many courtyards in the hotel.
Funny sign
This camel is available for riding. Careful, they spit!
Cave Churches - Early Christians used these caves as hideouts from invaders. Over time, they expanded the cave communities and carved out more rooms.
Cave Church - This church is over a thousand years old. Those are Maltese crosses over the nave. Crusaders carried this symbol when going out to war.
Ceiling of a cave church - This church is over a thousand years old. Those are Maltese crosses over the nave. Crusaders carried this symbol when going out to war.
This farmer was shooing me away after I took some pics of him working.
Inside a rock monastery - This is part of a larger cave community. It's difficult to fathom how they carved out an entire monastery using hand-tools.
Window to the world - View from the 3rd level of a cave church.
Doorway to the world - Taking in the view from the 3rd level of a church cave.
Cave House with Pigeon Holes. Pigeons were used for food, fertilizer, and communication.
Restaurant by a river in small village. Fresh trout caught from the river was served for lunch.
The morning glow of the Cappadocian landscape. This is what I woke up to every morning, stepping onto our terrace.