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DAY 7
Wake up call at 4:10am for our balloon ride through Cappadocia with Voyager Balloons. A stop off for payment and breakfast, then on to our balloon. Ours wasn't overly colourful (just orange and grey), but you can't see your own in the air so that didn't matter. We had booked a small basket (as previous visitors recommended) and we had 13 guests + 1 pilot in our basket. A very chilly start to the morning but it didn't take long to warm up. The basket was rectangular in shape and the pilots area sectioned off along with 4 gas canisters, a walkie talkie, mobile phone and gps. The end of the basket had footholds to make for an easier entry. Once onboard it didn't take long to get things moving along and the warmth of the flame overhead was greatly appreciated. Once up in the air the pilot gently guided us through valleys, up and down, covering all angles. At times we got really close to rock formations, but he was in complete control and I felt safe the whole time. There were roughly 80 balloons in the sky at once! An absolutely AMAZING experience.... I cannot recommend this highly enough. If you get a chance DO IT, you won't be sorry!!! At one point the pilot mentioned we were 500m above ground level. We watched the sunrise over the volcanic mountain and took in the atmosphere. One of the passengers (an elderly gentleman) collapsed in the basket, as he wasn't feeling well. After a period of time his wife asked the pilot to land so he could get off. We found out later he suffered from anaemia and didn't cope too well with altitude - maybe he should have chosen a different experience!!! We probably would have had an extra 15mins in the air if it wasn't for that, but the timing worked out well for us getting back to the motel anyway. The pilot landed us ever so softly in the paddock (I didn't feel a thing!) to let the man out. He then raised us in the air again, just enough to guide the basket onto the back of the trailer. When we hopped out we were treated to a glass of champagne :). Now that's what I call breakfast! We each received a certificate of participation (nice touch I thought) and a postcard. Back to the hotel, and time for a quick cuppa before our tour had to leave. A HUGE thankyou to Aleisha for the idea and for convincing me to do it - I'll be forever grateful.
Don't worry I'll post all the photos on Facebook :)
Just as I'm writing this I can hear the call to prayer from our hotel room. It is a live chant echoed through speakers throughout each town, 5 times a day. Reminds you of where you actually are whenever you hear it.
So first stop of the day is to Gallery Cappadocia - The Art Of Weaving. We learnt how they dye the wool using anything from walnut shells to various seeds to red onion skins to mix the colours. Adding varying amounts of salt gives the desired colour. Then we went inside and watched ladies sitting on small stools hand weaving the rugs. Some in wool, some cotton and another in silk. Their pattern chart looked a lot like a cross stitch chart! They are in training for 8 months and have to memorise the patterns of the rugs as they don't have time to stop and check the pattern technique - well that counts me out!! First they knot the thread between two strands for an entire row, then they flatten it down with a tool, and then they trim off the edges. They made it look so easy, but boy is it time consuming!! Two ladies working on a large rug takes 8 months to complete - now I know why they cost so much!! Then we were taken into a very large showroom where they showed us different varieties of rugs. We were shown the difference between hand stitched and machine stitched rugs and more importantly, how to clean them. Then we got to purchase if we wanted to. I was really good and just window shopped this time - although I did spot a lovely silk wall hanging (75cm x 50cm approx) at only $44,000 TL :D
Back in the bus to the next stop - a photo opportunity of the Troglodyte Villages at Avcilar from up high.
Then to Ulchisar again, but this time from a different viewpoint. Last time was from above, this time below. Amazing photos at each of these stops, and of course another shopping experience to find a different type of Evil Eye. I like speaking to the locals that have street stalls - most have basic English. They like to guess where you're from. I was asked if I was from Belgium yesterday - that's a new one! When you say Australia, some say "oh Aussie" and some comment on how far away Australia is. Today a lovely girl called Cybele asked my name and if I was English. Then she asked my age. We had fun trying to communicate with one another because she didn't speak English very well. I told her to guess and she said 35 - yep, thanks I'm happy with that hahaha! When I told her my age she looked very shocked and said I was beautiful and looked very young.... She made my day :)
We then travelled along the Silk Road to the same lunch stop we went to 2 days ago - at Aksaray. We enjoyed a toasted cheese sandwich (yes I know, not very Turkish!) and an antique glass bottle of coke.... Been a long time since I've seen these served up in Adelaide. Wish I could have brought it back.
Then on to Caravansary Of Sultanhani
in Aksaray. It is one of the best preserved Seljuk kervansarays. It was built between 1226 and 1229 for Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. The complex consists of various amenities for the use of travellers.
Then we drove to the city of Konya. Still a traditional city, so we were advised to cover up (i.e. no shorts etc). Here we visited Karatay Museum - housed in a 13th century Seljuk theological school, the museum has a superb collection of ceramics & tiles.
We then took a short walk over to The Seminary of the Slender Minaret. Another theological school now housing the Museum of Wood and Stone Carving.
Lastly we visited the Museum of Whirling Dervishes (Mevlana Museum). The museum is an enlargement of the original dervish lodge. It contains the tomb of Rumi, the ceremonial hall and displays of memorabilia and manuscripts. There was a beautiful Mother-of-Pearl Case said to contain the beard of Prophet Mohammed.
So its safe to say Aleisha and I are now over museums - having seen enough to last a lifetime. If it's relevant to your religion i'm sure it would all be very important, but for the average tourist 2 museums is enough!!
Off to our new motel Ozkaymak Otel. After a nice buffet dinner and a lovely chat with Martha and Alan from New York we all walk to the local mall together. We pop into a large shop (similar to Big W) to buy a new SD card for my camera.... It seems 1000 photos wasn't enough for me, i now have 4400 more... Yippee! Aleisha's not feeling well so we head back to the motel and our HUGE room, big enough for our entire group for a party I'm sure. But there's no partying going on here, we're off to bed.... Goodnight x
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