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For some reason, we had thought that much of inland Turkey was a desert. Flying from Istanbul to Nevsehir, we saw that in fact it is cultivated land. * |
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Our guide, Neily, who met us at the airport and showed us the sights for the next two days. * |
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The scenery is truly amazing but, as we were whisked around to a number of viewpoints, we admit that we do not remember all of the names of the places we visited. † |
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This is in the Göreme Open Air Museum, which was a monastic area with churches that still have the remains of wall paintings. † |
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We had lunch in Avenos, in a shaded area overlooking the river. * |
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Our cave hotel was located on the outskirts of the village of Ürgüp, where the scenery was less unusual but still interesting. * |
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After breakfast, off again to see more of the scenery. † |
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We visited one of the underground towns built in the area: a complete small town going down three or four levels. Nick and Neily navigate through a narrow passage. * |
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The Valley of the Pigeons. Pigeons were kept for their guano, which was used as fertiliser. * |
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A tree festooned with eye symbols, to keep away evil spirits. * |
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Love Valley, named for the rather phallic nature of the rocks. * |
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We visited the restored Saruhan caravanserai, which was a fortified place where travellers and traders could rest overnight. * |
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As we left early in the morning for Kayseri airport, the sky was full of hot air balloons. * |
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