After a rest we were up for a full afternoon of adventure.  The Goreme Open Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we viewed some of the fascinating frescoed and rock carved churches. The valued pigeons had alcoves carved for them to be happy and to deposit their fertilizer for gardens.

Tom and I passed on the  “underground city” tour at Kaymakli where the enigmatic cellar villages, over 40 of which have been discovered empty, are among the wonders of Cappadocia.

We re-joined the tour to the town of Avanos, which is renowned mainly for its pottery work. After a stop for lunch, we visited the famous pottery artisans in their traditional rock carved workshops. The panoramic views of Goreme were amazing.

We drove to a Caravanserais which is literally considered a “caravan palace”. This Caravanserais provided accommodation and other amenities for merchants and stabling for their animals. This type of building would be seen every 30-40 kilometers (a one camel trek) all along the “silk road” from Turkey to Persia.

This is where witnessed an actual Whirling Dervish ceremony including haunting sung poems from the brotherhood.  What discipline and focus the dancers maintain!

Late dinner back at our Kayakapi Caves Hotel….some great views!