Rock Formation near Goreme, Cappadocia

Cappadocia is mainly famous for its hot air balloon industry and trekking.
There were too many sites to visit but we had very limited time and money to do everything as much as we wish so. Alas, we chose to have a taste of trekking in Cappadocia and the destination we chose is Rose Valley.

It is indeed interesting to know why the beautiful land is called Cappadocia (the local called it Kapadokya). Apparently, Cappadocia’s old Persian name is Katpatuka, which possibly means “the land/country of beautiful horses.” Some sources says that “Cappadocia” could also come from the Luwian language which means “Low Country.”

The trekking journey can be challenging as the sand is pretty loose and we did not equipped ourselves with walking guide. It was a great experience as we depend on each other to go through various obstacles. Venturing together into the unknown together is exciting. There is always a mix of uncertainty and excitement.

We rested a bit and I took the opportunity to have a quick sketch on some interesting rock formation in front of me. Serene and tranquil, that is the mode of that particular moment. No urgency, no appointments, no time to catch.

Halfway to Rose Valley

As soon as we reached Rose Valley, we felt a tremendous sense of achievement as we looked back how far we got. We made it because we did it together. It was exciting because we trekked this place together. We got a bit lost on our way home but we enjoyed walking back miles over miles. There was some moments where we were just silent, just enjoying the journey as the sun kissed our skin. We shared one MP3 player listening to the same music as we trotted our way back. The feeling of being comfortable with being silent and yet still enjoying the sacred moment of trekking together is beautiful. We didn’t need to say much, but we felt the same thing.

Our stay in Goreme was brief. On the last day in Goreme, Cappadocia, we were a little emotional as we knew that the magical moments in Cappadocia will exist only in the form of memory from now on. As we were waiting for our shuttle to the airport, I looked out the window from a small waiting room in Sato Cave Hotel and sketched the last view in front of me. So long, Cappadocia! Thank you for the great time and memories. 

You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place…

the magical cappadocia

We made our way to Cappadocia on 11 May 2015 and stayed there until 13 May 2015, using local domestic airline – Pegasus. My husband, Pandamopi was not fully recovered from fever and flu yet then. We checked in a cafe hotel – Sato Cave Hotel in Goreme.

If there is a word to describe Cappadocia, it has to be magical. Every moment in Cappadocia is precious. The nature has overwhelmed us again and again as we trotted from one site to another.

The weather was sunny as we made our way to Open Air Museum in Goreme. A precious tip we got from TripAdvisor is to bring sunnies and hat as the sun was too bright. Nonetheless, the sight of the rock formation took our breath away. We never thought this place existed.

 
One of the things not to be missed beside hot air balloon is to catch sunset. We trotted to Goreme Sunset Point to catch the sunset. No words could probably describe how beautiful the sight is unless you are there.
   
Husband pandamopi does not sketch as much but he loves photography.