Rambling in Goreme - Cappadocia, Turkey

Amazing landscape near Goreme

Naturally crafted by nature

Having a guide is a luxury that we can't afford all the time when traveling. But every corner of Goreme is so picturesque that you don't really need one to experience the spectacular landscape. Ramble through the unknown and the result can be rewarding!

One late afternoon, after having coffee and sweet patisseries at a tea shop in the town, we decided to explore Goreme on our own to see if we can find some interesting scenic location at no cost. The only cost that we're about to incur is time which is worth spending every minute!

From downtown, we walked up the cobbled streets leading to the top of Adylini Hill. In just two years the town and villages around it has changed tremendously with small and medium sized hotels and pensions sprawling everywhere.   But with such rapid development going on, we are still lucky to see the uniqueness of the surreal landscape.

As we descended the other side of Adylini Hill we came across a small vegetables farm and the friendly farmer invited us to taste the sweet ripe tomatoes. Perhaps the fertile volcanic soil has given the tomatoes the extra sweet and juicy taste. From the farm we crossed over a little bridge near Goreme Kaya Otel. And from there we started climbing up the hills. It was an easy walk up the hills but the wind was very strong that day and we felt like we were going to be blown away. Once on the hill, we found that we were surrounded by valleys full of fairy chimneys. It was just amazing!

We passed by Goreme Kaya Otel

Goreme Kaya Hotel carved in the rocks

The scenery on our way to higher ground

Fairy Chimneys

Amazing rocks formation

It feels surreal seeing it!

View from a high plateau

We walked on the rocks

Goreme town from the hill

Part of Goreme on an Autumn day

Massive chimney shaped rocks - like in the fairy tales

Imagine you're in Devrent Valley - Goreme

A camel? A hen?

Devrent Valley is also known as Imagination Valley. There are no cave churches, ruined castles or abandoned village here. In fact it was never inhabited. Located 10 minutes drive from Goreme, this valley is famous for its red lunar landscape. Just let your imagination run free and you will be able to spot many animal shaped rocks sculptured by nature.

Our guide had fun quizzing us on the shapes of the rocks visible around us. When we say camel, he says hen and when he says snakes, we can’t even see them. And when he says we are wrong, I objected because after all it’s up to our imagination. We can’t be wrong!

The Valley

Napolean Hat

Old Greek Village in Cavusin - Cappadocia, Turkey

The Ruins of Old Greek Village in Cavusin

Since morning, it was drizzling but that had not stopped us from wandering around the ruins of this abandoned old Greek Village. All equipped with umbrellas, raincoats and plastic wraps we ascended the highest point of the rubble.  Along the way, we visited an old mosque in the village. Not a working mosque anymore but the place is well maintained as a historical site for visits. There was once a small chapel in the village and houses were carved on the hill close to each other.

According to our guide, this place was once occupied by the Greeks and overtime the erosion and harsh weather condition had made it unsafe to live.  The government relocated the inhabitants and the village was abandoned. As we moved up higher grounds, the dwellings around this hillside village become visible and the surrounding landscape depicts a deep red ochre tones, giving Cavusin a distinct look.

Soon the cold wind and the heavy rain forced us to leave this place and we had to reschedule our visit to a much warmer location. We headed to the Pottery Cave Factory in Avanos.

It was freezing 

Shades of autumn colors

Approaching the mosque

A non-working mosque with all the basics intact

The abandoned ruins

Wandering around the ruins

Clad in blue raincoat, some of us explored the village

The peak of the hill

Rocks formation around Cavusin spotted from the hill top

Ochre tones landscape

Vine trees in late autumn

A view from the hill top

The 'new' Cavusin from the hill top 

The Charming Goreme - Cappadocia, Turkey

Goreme town has a beautiful and unique landscape

As the sun sets, the town landscape changes hue

My last visit to Goreme was in 2009 and exactly two years after that, here I am again in this little charming town that has always fascinated me. Everyone is asking why I come again...the answer is...I am missing Goreme too much :) that's it! Just in two years, Goreme has changed so much, the town gets bigger and there are many new hotels popping up every where. For convenience, this time I stayed in Walnut House right in the center of the town.

After the flight from Atartuk Airport, Istanbul was delayed for few hours due to bad weather we finally arrived safely in Nevsehir. The flight wasn't a smooth one and it was pouring in Istanbul with thunder storms during the flight. I prefer the Nevsehir airport than the Kayseri as it is cheaper and nearer to Goreme.

Tourists everywhere in town

We arranged the airport transfer to the hotel and about 45 minutes or so we arrived at the hotel at about 9pm. That night I had to sort with Merdan, the son of the hotel owner, on the tour schedules for the next day. Merdan has been very helpful and he speaks English pretty well...so communication was easy. Some of us wished to go for the hiking tours while others prefer a much easier tour. Due to bad weather, most ballooning companies canceled their balloon trips for the next few days.

The weather was much kinder on my second day in Goreme and I managed to take some pictures of Goreme town in the evening.  Personally, I still feel that Goreme is the best town to stay as a base to explore the Cappadocia region. Now, with more banks, shops and restaurants, it definitely offers tourist more choices and better facilities.

Roads are huge and lined with local tour buses

Goreme bus station

The town gets busier 

New pension across the bus station

Cave houses around the town

ATV Quad bike for hire

 

Souvenirs shops near Walnut House

Carpet shops and cafe

Public water supply

Even the old mosque in Goreme had a 'facelift' 

Goreme town at night - shops are opened till late at night