From 6fa3d6d03c4f0731cf388166bacebbf2e062fd1c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Blaise Thompson Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 16:42:51 -0500 Subject: refactor with actual building --- .../armenian-heritage-trip/cappadocia/index.html | 285 +++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 285 insertions(+) create mode 100644 memories/armenian-heritage-trip/cappadocia/index.html (limited to 'memories/armenian-heritage-trip/cappadocia/index.html') diff --git a/memories/armenian-heritage-trip/cappadocia/index.html b/memories/armenian-heritage-trip/cappadocia/index.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..72e94c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/memories/armenian-heritage-trip/cappadocia/index.html @@ -0,0 +1,285 @@ + + + + + + Cappadocia + + + + +

Cappadocia

+ +Part of the Armenian heritage trip memory. + +
+

2019-09-24 Tuesday

+ +

Traveling Erzincan to Cappadocia

+ +

+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. +
+ +

Lunch at Sivas

+ +

+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. +
+ +

Cappadocia overview

+ +

+Pronounced "cap a dough sha". +

+ +

+Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. +Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. +The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches. +

+ +

+Although the travelers have no relatives in this area, they decided to visit Cappadocia anyway to take in the amazing geology. +It was well worth the visit. +

+ +

night in Goreme

+ +

+The travelers arrived in Cappadocia late afternoon, just before sunset. +They stayed in the town of Goreme, at the center of the Cappadocia region. +Goreme is a rock city with many buildings built into the rock walls and pillars +

+ + +An example hotel in Goreme. +
+ +

+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 Goreme 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. +
+
+ + +Sun setting over gorome, as viewed from the hotel roof. +
+
+ + +Jim, Nancy, and Blaise enjoying the sunset. +
+
+ + +The nearby castle at night, as viewed from the hotel. +
+ +

+After unpacking and watching the sunset, the travelers enjoyed a nice Chinese dinner at a local restaurant. +

+ +
+

2019-09-25 Wednesday

+ +

waking up

+ +

+The sunrise was also fantastic as viewed from the hotel roof. +

+ + +Sun rising over Goreme, as viewed from the hotel roof. +
+
+ + +Blaise poses on the hotel roof during the sunrise. +
+ +

+During breakfast, the travelers finally tried the tulum from Kemah. +One of the hotel empoyees shared her own tulum, which is made with "black seed" (cumin) +

+ +
+ +
Breakfast at Ottoman Cave Suite. + Note the tulum on the table with Nancy and Blaise.
+
+ +

hike

+ +

+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. +
+
+ + +Blaise poses at the entrance to the red valley. +
+
+ + +Nancy poses near the door of one of the carved churches. +Note how thick the walls were made. +
+
+ + +View inside Kizilcukur Church, showing painted roof detail. +
+
+ + +Nancy sits at the entrance to one of the red valley dwellings. +
+ +

+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. +
+
+ + +Nancy and jim pose at the entrance to Rose Valley. +
+
+ + +Nancy stands on the bridge into column church. +
+
+ + +Column church, interior. +
+
+ + +Blaise poses in front of some carved structures in Rose Valley. +
+ +

+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. +
+ +

+The travelers ultimately exited the valleys in a nearby town, and were able to catch a taxi back to their hotel. +

+ +

Castle

+ +

+As a last activity, the travelers visited the local castle. +They ate lunch near the top. +The view was amazing, even though it was raining that day. +Nancy and Blaise paid 9 TL each to go to the top of the castle. +It was a fairly tourist-centered area, but not many visitors were there. +Their were camel rides available. +

+ + + +Lunch. +
+
+ +
+ +
Blaise poses on top of the castle.
+
+ +
+ +
Jim shows us a local camel.
+
+ + + + -- cgit v1.2.3