Goreme Open Air Museum...and much more

The balloon ride was just the start of a very busy day. Back at the hotel we join the rest of the group for second breakfast before setting off in our bus to the Goreme Open Air Museum This fascinating site is made up of dozens of cave dwellings and churches honeycombed in the rugged landscape. We spend a couple of hours wandering around and peering into gloomy interiors many of them covered in well-preserved religious frescoes. These date back to a time when Christianity was encouraged, and building a private church was a common occurrence.

After a simple lunch of Turkish Pizza we head back to the Pigeon Valley for a two hour hike, surrounded by the white hills, dotted with cave dwellings, churches and dovecotes. It is hot and dusty, so it's delightful to encounter a vendor on his motorcycle, fully equipped with all the necessary ingredients to serve us an icy cold, freshly crushed, pomegranate juice.

Next on the agenda is a visit to a carpet shop where they demonstrate how carpets are made. The salesmanship is dazzling, as a team of people fling carpets at our feet, while we sip tea and get the practised patter about the different carpets and their virtues. It seems no one in our group is ready to make a purchase. But we do learn enough to feel good about our decision to buy the silk carpet  in Istanbul. It seems it's fine quality at a fair, although admittedly, outrageous price.

Well, now it's time for some of us to head to the Haman. I have been looking forward to this treat but in the end its a bit disappointing; partly because we feel a bit rushed. This haman has separate facilities for men and women. Vicky, Randy and I head off together. We are scrubbed from head to toe and all crevices in between, then rubbed all over with some kind of bubbles that feel sublimely soothing. The treatment is not exactly gentle. I feel like a slab of meat being pummeled and pulled on the marble slab. My hard working attendant, in an ugly black two piece swim suit doesn't speak English, and a smart slap on the bum or a rough nudge of the elbow is how she indicates that I should roll over. Her hands are rough and ridged from being constantly damp. After a swim in a warm pool and a stopover in a tepid steam room, we have a 20 minute rough massage. By now we know we are holding up the troops who are all ready in the bus, waiting to leave for dinner and an evening of folkloric entertainment.