The drive from Erzincan to Cappadocia was pleasant. There were many little bridges over the road to allow water to cross without washing out the road itself. The travelers saw animals, including a herd of sheep that crossed the road forcing a small delay. Each town seemed centered around a mosque with tall minarets.
Along the way, the travelers saw an excelent view of Mount Ericyes from the Kayseri side. When the view is clear, it is obvious that the mountain is a volcano that has erupted before.
A view of of Mount Ericyes from the Kayseri side. [COORDINATES]Nancy, Jim, and Blaise stopped at the city of Sivas for lunch. This was the birthplace of St. Blaise. Sivas is a large city with a complex network of busy roads. There are no parking meters, but individual workers make it their business to take a fee from each car that parks for more than one hour.
Blaise poses in front of a hotel in central Sivas. Sivas was the birthplace of St. Blaise, Blaise's namesake. [COORDINATES]The travelers arrived in Cappadocia late afternoon, just before sunset. They stayed in the town of Gorome, at the center of the Cappadocia region. Gorome is a rock city with many buildings built into the walls and pillars
An example hotel in Gorome. Many hotels are built right into the rock walls and pillars that surround the town. [COORDINATES]Initially there was some confusion about which hotel was correct, as there are many hotels whose names contain some combination of "cave" and "suite". The travelers stayed in the Ottoman Cave Suite hotels, which was right at the center of Gorome and afforded wonderful views of the surrounding town during sunset. They had a honeymoon suite on the top floor, with a personal hot tub and a wonderful view of the surrounding city. The travelers watched the sun set from the roof of their hotel.
View from inside the hotel room. [COORDINATES]After unpacking and watching the sunset, the travelers enjoyed a nice chinese dinner at ????? restraunt.
The sunrise was also fantastic as viewed from the hotel roof.
Sun rising over Gorome, as viewed from the hotel roof. [COORDINATES]During breakfast, the travelers finally tried the talum from Kemah. One of the hotel empoyees shared her own talum, which is made with "black seed" (cumin)
The travelers took a taxi to the top of the ridge (sun set point) and meandered their way down through the valleys and caves of Cappadocia. Ultimately, they arrived at Çavuşin.
A tree near sunset point that has been decorated with "evil eyes". This symbol was common throughout the region. [COORDINATES]At some point, the travelers hopped from the Red Valley to Rose Valley. Rose valley contained many amazing carved rock structures.
Rose valley rock formations. [COORDINATES]Foolishly, the travelers forgot water and food. They were happy to discover an oasis cafe "StarBox" which offered refreshing fruit juice and water. This cafe was located right under cross church, and the view into Rose Valley was amazing.
Painting within cross church, next to StarBox. [COORDINATES]Taxi back to Hotel.