Coffee Breaks: Cappadocia

Richmond of Pamukkale gave us a good rest.

It gave us a good spread for our meals and we left by 7.45am for the longest haul of the trip - an eleven hour trip to the much coveted city of Cappadocia where fun awaits us.

Both Esther and Sara accompanied by Nur dipped into the hotel thermal pool.

It is different from our motherland though for both men and women enjoy the facility together.

Now you can feel for us, can't you?

So how did Nur entertain us?

She smartly put on another movie; this time the fall of Constantinople of the Byzantine Empire into the hands of Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire. Later we realised that the war scenes had much connection with the mosques that we were to visit at Istanbul.

Nur related that the Anatolian land became a republic in 1923 when Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) and his colleagues took control and turn it into modern Turkey. She spoke with love in her eyes and heart for the former leader and praised him for his efforts in his social reforms. I will try to recall further when we visit the museum in Istanbul.

All of us complained very little, After so many days in the coach, we sort of got used to the routine as we ponder over private thoughts, read books and nursed hurt muscles! But actually at the recesses of our mind, we were looking forward to the adventures at Cappadocia.

It was early in the evening when we caught sight of Cappadocia. Nur wasted no time and carted us straight to the hidden caves of the town. Apparently, below humble home and villages, many dug underground to flee from enemies. Both Muslims and Christian were mercilessly persecuted under the Arabs and so homes were built away from the sight of the persecutors. There were about 36 cities with secret tunnels connecting one another.

This a typical village in Cappadocia; remote and peasantry. When they saw us, the villagers hastily put up temporary stalls to sell local products ranging from Turkish dolls to cutlery, pottery and bracelets. There were so many things we could gather but how do you bring them back? The lira is about the same value as the ringgit but still no one will take the ringgit. When at Istanbul, the money exchange said they need to see the physical ringgit before they allow any exchange. When you mention the Singapore dollar, they nodded instantly.

Fed up.

Many of the cave habitats have been sealed up.

But Nur still took pains to actually gain entry into a typical Cappadocian cave.

Nur said the stone is a security feature which can be turned away for escape and air.

Esther, so casual in not so many layers when compared to the mama.

Yes, this is for keeps.

We have been to Cappadocian cave homes and feel for people then. Nur said secret tunnels were constructed to allow occupants to go above for sun light and Vitamin D. The weather is so cool underneath that it provides natural refrigeration for meat, vegetables and water. Horses are tied to the main entrance for use as transport and food. People really did live through challenging times.

Yes. It was cold and the snow is real. Do you see the number of caves? The tuff features are volcanic deposits as the palce is in the volcanic region.

Sometimes when I watch sword fighting dramas, I do come across taverns but of course the Mongolian type which seemed to be places of rest and food. The above is an example of an R & R along the silk route of the past and Cappadocia is aligned along it. Apparently, many of these are dotted along the route and we visited one of it.

This must have been a refurbished version and notice the solid and formidable marble or is it granite slabs? Traders could have converged here and did barter trade exchanging, animal skins, silk, olive, spices and so forth.

Of course, today they are hangouts for tourists and business. The souvenirs again include pottery, porcelains, silk, nuts and spices.

But perhaps the 11 hour journey is bet compensated with this picturesque venue for a night's stay. We were ushered into a cave hotel. It was surely an experience of its kind and it reminded us of the islands along the Greek coast. In the night, the lights really added value to the stay.

You bend slightly to enter the door but when in the room, it was impressive. You are spoilt for the evening and wish it was home. The well-heated room was welcoming and gave us the best comfort.