ISTANBUL
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| Ozan's school - a compact space with classrooms, playground, library, gym and a loving atmosphere. Hugs for Ozan and his parents from teachers and students. |
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| The building had a former life as Greek Orthodox school for girls. Ataturk statue at front door. It will be growing to add more grades per parent request. |
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| gym |
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| playground |
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| outside his classroom |
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| his classroom |
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| orderly closet |
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| At the Kelebek Hotel - Göreme |
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| Our room below left, dinner, up 53 steps 5 staircases. The walk up was interesting in the dark. |
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| our window shaded by curtain - prepare for balloon view later! |
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| Historic hotel in a Cave |
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| Göreme AT NIGHT |
The Red Tour - Saturday at the Göreme Open Air Museum, cave churches, ceramics, and CARPETS
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| Ozan the photographer |
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| Sadan, Ozan and Barry at Open Air Museum where Sadan spotted "The Queen of England" - a lady fulled decked out like QE in a suit and heels |
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| yep, we climbed all over the steep steps and walkways of the Open Air Museum. No OSHA regulations here. |
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| Barry cracks the pottery with an ax - chicken stew, a traditional dish of Cappadocia |
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| fresh orange and pomegranate juice |
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| This is not "love valley", but you get the idea |
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| Making pots on the wheel at a family owned ceramics business - many generations |
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| They glow in the dark! |
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| Carpet salesman |
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| The audience was entertained, but resisted |
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| Monday morning view from our hotels! Balloons |
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| landing over the hill at about 7 a.m. |
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| Ozan drew these pictures at dinner - one for grandma with hot air balloon. Notice camera, signature and date. |
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| And one for grandpa of a rocket |
THE GREEN TOUR ON SUNDAY - underground tunnel, hike and lunch in the Ihara Valley
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| Tunnels at Derinkuyu were used for people and animals to live in safety during invasions - such as the Christians hiding from Roman soldiers. There are 20 such cities in the area - all connected. 20,000 people could stay here. It had wine and oil presses and a ventilation system and communication tunnels (yelling). Also held a chapel and religious school. Stone doors protected levels. |
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| Climbed down 8 stories sometimes ducking like a frog. Sadan and Dave got bumps on head. |
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| 300 steps down to the river |
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| break time |
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| lunch in a cafe on the river |
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| Sadan and Meltem above, Barry examines map |
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| Selíme church - the most harrowing footing yet, and that's saying something |
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| To the highest church - only Barry and Ozan went via the upper rooms. I like the fence on the right in case you slide. |
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| Hasan Mountain volcano |
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| the back way up to the church |
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| Ozan and his Italian friend |
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| Barry's opal ring - from the jeweler |
Monday - A day of thrills and relaxation
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| We started early, at 5, breakfast at Butterfly Balloons, our photographer Dave on duty |
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| They warm the balloon |
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| Barry is not smiling |
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| takeoff field |
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| up and away |
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| This was Meltem's idea! |
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| from above |
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| sunrise |
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| Looking down at what seems like the face of the moon |
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| Meltem's phone rang and it was her mom calling to say she was watching from the hotel |
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| looking down |
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| Pilot Mustafa. Took us up to 8000 feet. Limit is 6000. Trying to find light winds so we could land somewhere nearby. He kept up a banter with the ground crew making us laugh and relieving fear. |
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| We were the highest balloon. Dave took this photo as I texted him telling him where we were. He heard the ground crew reporting the same. |
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| Mustafa landed the balloon on the truck platform! We were braced for landing and it was gentle. |
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| The balloon covered us for a bit |
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| joyous |
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| Mustafa serves champagne |
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| champagne and certificates. We drank 3 glasses. Good way to land. |
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| Barry still not smiling. It took until the next day when he said "I'd go up again anytime." |
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| Dave took this wonderful photo. We are up there somewhere. |
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The 2nd adventure of the day, 8:30-11 - a walk down the mountain for breakfast with Ali from his organic farm. See the greenery below - that's our destination.
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| Ali Yavuz, in black, tells us about his organic farm. He owns the Kelebek and Heybe hotels and Butterfly balloons. His family farmed for generations, and the last twenty years he has been developing tourism in Cappadocia. |
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| a segment of the down hill trek |
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| olives, raw honey, apples, yogurt, apricots, peppers, tomato and cheese casserole |
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| pigeon houses high up |
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| Pigeon houses! A booming industry in Cappadocia. Pigeon droppings are fertilizer. The trick is to climb high on ladders to fetch it. |
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| And a hike out to the vehicle |
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| Uçhisar, a nearby town |
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| An afternoon at the Hamam - scrub and massages |
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| Ozan and Susan fly kites in the hotel yard |
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| Capped off a big day with a visit to the Caravansary to see the Whirling Dervishes |
TUESDAY - A FREE DAY!
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| tablecloths |
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| A walk through town to shop and have lunch |
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| Butterfly bush - hundreds of them |
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| A hike in the Pigeon Valley |
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| Meltem organized a late day visit to Sunset Point |
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| A vendor of dried fruit and nuts - we stocked up |
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| Sunset |
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| Barry's book on the geology and history |
Meltem took me to a lovely 1.5 hour yoga class at Yoga Sala
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| Ozan and Susan swim in the hotel pool |
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| Ozan loved the lego art in hotel |
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| He designs and builds things |
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| Mr blue and red |
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| view of Istanbul traffic from our hotel room |
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