On the road again

This is mostly a travel day, but we have lots of interesting stops en route. And our wonderful guide Murat has a head full of facts and stories about all the places we visit. He also gives us some basic lessons in speaking Turkish; but sadly most of us (except Vickie) are hopelessly linguistically challenged.

Our first stop is for a tour of the fascinating underground city, Derinkuyu. Apparently there are a number of these cities in the country. They date back as early as the Hittites around 2000 BCE. Over the centuries they served many purposes, including hide-outs from foreign invaders or from religious persecution. There are many levels, with narrow stairs and winding passageways. Each room, carved out of rock, seems mysterious and terrifying, when you consider that the people who sheltered here, had no electricity only smoky, oil lamps. Electricity provides mood lighting for us as we explore the labyrinth of corridors and cave-like rooms. We go down six floors as we see residences, living, storage rooms and an old monastery. Occasionally we come across graves cut into the rock; open and empty. It is quite crowded in the cramped spaces, and at times we have to squeeze past other groups of tourists. Every now and then a tunnel disappears into blackness. I poke my camera with flash on, into unlit holes and spaces, but I see nothing but more stone passageways or hole-in-the-rock rooms.

We also see the rolling rocks that were used to seal people in (and out) during times of threat, such as the invasion of Alexander the Great. This is no place for claustrophobes. We emerge from the tunnels, grateful to see sunlight and open space. Time to move on. 

We have a short stop at a well preserved Caravansarai built in 1229. The caravansarais were built at regular distances, as safe overnight resting places for the traders who traveled the silk road with their camels and valuable merchandise.  Each night the door is locked and it isn't opened in the morning until all disputes have been settled. This cleverly settled the matter theft and insured a safe haven for travellers. 

Next, on to Konya the home and resting place of Melvani, founder of the Dirvish sect. Inside the mosque are the tombs of Melvani and many other important leaders. The tombs are large, imposing and the atmosphere is sombre - strictly no photography allowed. 

We head to our overnight stop at Beyshir, but unfortunately there is a very long detour on the road, which takes us about an hour out of our way. Sadik patiently navigates the route, using his GPS to keep us on track. By the time we arrive at Otel Ali Behir, we are pretty travel-worn and so instead of our usual evening exploring, we happily settle for dinner in the rooftop restaurant, which has a nice view of the town, the lake and mountains in the distance.