Park area Turkey's founding father's tomb Yunluo and Naran Seqi left Ankara and headed for Cappadocia. When entering Ankara in the morning, we saw a very distinctive gate and everyone wanted to get off the car to take pictures. In the afternoon, Zhou Xiken asked the driver to stop the car here so that everyone could take pictures. Goodbye, Ankara!
Leaving Ankara, the gate of Ankara. Yunluo and Naranshiqi drove 270 kilometers to the focus of this trip - the rocky area of ​​Cappadocia. During the journey, they passed by this salt lake. Yunluo and Naranshiqi's car drove along the lake shore for a long time. It is said that this is the largest salt lake in Turkey.
Salt Lake Turkey Salt Lake Turkey There was no parking at the Salt Lake. Yunluo and Nalanshiqi's car stopped in this small town. Zhou Xiken mainly wanted Yunluo and Nalanshiqi to look at the Hassan Snow Mountain from a distance. The snow mountain is very close to this place and can be clearly seen from the street. Unfortunately, there are too many electric wires and light poles, so there is no good photo.
In Ankara, although women on the street wear headscarves, the color of their clothes is not all black. This place is relatively remote, and most women wear black robes. Yunluo greeted the girl in the picture below in English, and she also answered in English, very friendly. Turkish woman Turkey Turkish woman Turkey Arrived in Cappadocia, it was already late.
In order to satisfy everyone's desire to see the wonders of the stone forest, Zhou Xiken asked the driver to park the car next to the fairy chimneys to take pictures of the night view. The night in Cappadocia was too cold and windy, so we didn't dare to stay for long and drove to the hotel. Fairy Chimney Night View Cappadocia This is the "cave hotel" where Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi stayed. The room is very large.
The bathroom is also big, and there is a living room. According to the book and the travel agency's recommendation, Ottoman houses and cave hotels are recommended attractions, but this can only be considered a cave hotel. The sisters said that they didn't give enough money. They can only stay like this. However, it is still comfortable and has a little Turkish style. Today's itinerary is very rich.
In order to make the itinerary clearer, the description is arranged in chronological order. 1. Waiting for the hot air balloon to take off At 4:30 in the morning, a special car picked up Yunluo and Nalanshiqi to go to the take-off site of the hot air balloon. Because the climate is not suitable for take-off. The tourists waited on the spot, and Yunluo and Nalanshiqi took the time to appreciate the surrounding stone forests. Cappadocia was selected as one of the top ten beautiful sights on earth by the American National Geographic magazine.
It is one of the two best places on Earth for hot air ballooning (the other is Kenya). The picture below shows the bizarre stone forests taken while waiting for the hot air balloon to take off. It is said that from an aerial view, Cappadocia's unique karst landforms are similar to the surface of the moon, and it is known as "the place on Earth that looks most like the moon."
The formation of this lunar-like landform originated from the large amount of magma and volcanic ash erupted from three major nearby volcanoes (including the Hassan volcano that Yunluo and Naranshiqi saw yesterday), covering the entire Cappadocia region. The weathered rock layers formed after the magma cooled, calcified and solidified, eventually turning this place into a kingdom of volcanic material.
The first eruptions left behind a layer of soft rock called travertine, while subsequent eruptions left behind a harder layer of black basalt. This dense material formed a protective surface, slowing the erosion of the travertine below.
As time passed, the soft parts were eroded away by the sun and the wind, frost, rain and snow, forming ravines on the ground and undercurrent caves underground. The more solid parts remained, forming rocks of various shapes and forms, including cliffs thousands of feet high and smooth white stone waves.
There are more mushrooms, tree stumps, conical stalagmites, stone pillars and various strange stone forests. Cappadocia is very large, about 400 kilometers from east to west and 240 kilometers from north to south. The stone forest scenery has different wonders in different canyons, so it usually takes four days and three nights to visit Cappadocia.
It would take at least two days and one night. Yunluo and Nalanshiqi took about two nights and one and a half days, so time was very tight. Stone Forest Cappadocia Stone Forest Cappadocia Stone Forest Cappadocia The sun finally rose, but Yunluo and Nalanshiqi were still waiting. The weather was still not suitable for flying, so everyone entertained themselves in the morning light.
The first ray of sunshine in Cappadocia. Turkish dancing girl Meme was the first to take off in the morning light. Her red dress was very beautiful, making her the most eye-catching star today. Many cameras were aimed at her and some people asked to take a photo with her. They exchanged WeChat numbers. In fact, she didn't bring enough clothes this time.
She had no choice but to wear all her clothes, and the long skirt just brought out her beauty. Waiting for the hot air balloon to take off in Cappadocia Waiting for the hot air balloon to take off in Cappadocia The one on the left is Yangyang, she is wearing early winter clothes. This time, only she and her sister brought a lot of clothes to resist the cold in the early morning in Cappadocia.
It seems that when traveling to Turkey, you should prepare clothes for early winter, spring and early summer (the seaside is hotter). Yangyang is quite knowledgeable about clothing. The clothes she wore this time were mainly black, which is consistent with the color of Turkish women's clothes. With some very delicate small accessories, she looked elegant and generous.
I read a post a few days ago that fashionable ladies study the local costumes before going abroad, and prepare clothes that are as close to the local women as possible, but still in their own style. I really admire Yunluo. Of course, this requires financial strength. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi want to fly to Cappadocia. The second person on the right is a dancer.
Her movements were more precise than others. Waiting for the hot air balloon to take off Cappadocia was crazy enough, Meimei represented everyone to have an elegant "curtain call". Waiting for the hot air balloon to take off Cappadocia photographers have been capturing the subject, she said, these two people are very graceful, taking pictures of them from a distance, Yunluo also took a picture.
People waiting for the hot air balloon to take off in Cappadocia The white mobile house in the distance is where the hot air balloon company provides Yunluo and Nalanshiqi with hot drinks and bread. People are still waiting around here. People waiting for the hot air balloon to take off in Cappadocia After a while, the car carrying the hot air balloon drove away.
The organizer announced that the hot air balloon could not take off due to the weather today. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi were accompanied by six people from Fujian who had been waiting for the whole morning yesterday. They were leaving Cappadocia today and they had no chance to overlook the wonders of Cappadocia from high altitude. The cost of riding a hot air balloon is very expensive, more than 1,000 RMB.
But you may not be able to ride even if you pay. The hot air balloon cannot take off today. Cappadocia 2. Cave hotels and carpet shops. Cave restaurants and cave hotels are the signatures of Cappadocia. It is recommended by locals. If you have never stayed in a cave hotel when you come to Cappadocia, you must have never eaten in a cave restaurant.
You will not be able to experience the cave life of the Cappadocians. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi finally chose the 11-day upgraded itinerary, one of the reasons being that they wanted to stay in a cave hotel. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi returned to the hotel. This is the hotel entrance. Cave hotel entrance Cappadocia Cave Hotel Cappadocia sisters took a photo with Zhou Xiken.
Behind them is the room where Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi are staying. Zhou Xiken took a photo with his sisters. The Cappadocia Hotel is far away from the town and is built on a small hill along the mountain. Except for the high terrain and the view, it can only be regarded as a cave hotel. Yunluo told Dingdingmao that this is not a cave hotel at all and does not match the introduction of the travel agency.
He said helplessly that the facilities of real cave hotels are not as good as this one. Friends who want to stay in cave hotels should make an agreement with the travel agency when signing the agreement, and it must be a real cave hotel. Cave Hotel Cappadocia Hotel Overlooking Cappadocia Hotel is a buffet, which tastes better than table meals and has more dishes.
Buffet Cappadocia Cave Hotel Every meal has fruit and dessert. The bowl is filled with dessert, the white one with honey on top is delicious. It's a bit like the cold cake in China. Buffet Cappadocia In the morning, the flock of sheep went out of the pen. No wonder they felt the smell was wrong last night. Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi didn't even dare to open the window.
Before visiting the scenic spots in Cappadocia, they passed by a carpet shop and had to go in according to the agreement. Yunluo said to Dingdingmao that Yunluo and Nalanshiqi were tourists with no purchasing power. Dingdingmao said, "It's okay, we'll be out in a moment." The history of nomadic peoples in Central Asia is the earliest people in the world who know how to weave carpets.
The Turkish carpet weaving art has a long history and is world-famous. Marco Polo once praised the exquisite weaving art when he passed through the Anatolian Plateau. The carpets here are made of silk, cotton, wool and linen, and the craftsmanship is unique. In the showroom of the carpet shop, the carpet weavers are showing the carpet weaving process, which is very complicated.
It takes a lot of time to weave a carpet. It is said that if two women are responsible for weaving a 2m x 3m silk carpet, it will take two and a half years. The Cappadocia carpet weavers in the Cappadocia showroom display carpets of different sizes and patterns. This small tapestry on the wall is very exquisite.
But the price is more expensive than the big carpet because the silk thread is thinner. Small tapestry Cappadocia Carpet Shop Small tapestry (partial) Cappadocia Carpet Shop This kind of silk reeling scene also exists in China. Silk reeling women Cappadocia Carpet Shop Small tapestry Cappadocia Carpet Shop The smiling Zhou Xiken Cappadocia enters this hall.
The boss started to promote the product, but did not allow us to take pictures. The pure wool carpet here is Angora wool, which can change color depending on the direction. It is said that silk carpets have 1 million silk threads per square meter, and the color of the carpet can also change depending on the direction. The carpet is really good, but the price is surprisingly high. A small hexagonal silk carpet, about 1.65 square feet.
The asking price was 3,600 liras, with a 30% discount, equivalent to about 7,500 yuan. The boss explained enthusiastically and invited Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi to have tea, but no one was going to buy anything, and it was hard to leave. The photographer was smart, she was the first to go to the bathroom, and everyone followed her, and one by one they slipped out of the carpet shop.
In the afternoon, when we went to the jewelry store (the jewelry in Turkey is much worse than that in Thailand), Yunluo and Nalanshiqi had learned from their experience. They didn't drink tea, didn't look around, didn't ask too many questions, and came out in about 10 minutes. This is a later story. Selling Carpets Cappadocia Carpet Store Cappadocia 3, the iconic fairy chimneys It was too late last night.
Zhou Xiken decided to make up for it and let Yunluo and Nalanshiqi see the fairy chimneys first. He said that there are many fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, but this is the iconic fairy chimney. Zhou Xiken said that the stone on the top of the fairy chimney is hard, and the rock below is relatively fragile and weathered quickly after two thousand years or more.
After being eroded by wind and rain, it has formed its current appearance. Locals call it fairy chimney. In fact, it also looks like a mushroom. People have given it many names according to their preferences. Fairy Chimney Cappadocia Fairy Chimney Cappadocia From this angle, you can see four fairy chimneys, one large and three small.
It is said that the big one in the middle is the father, and the three small ones are his daughters. The father is protecting the three daughters. Fairy Chimneys Cappadocia There are many souvenirs in the small shop next to the fairy chimneys. The price is very cheap, but it is too heavy to carry. You can only feast your eyes. Small gift shop Cappadocia 4, uncovering the mysterious secrets of Grame is the focus of today's visit.
It is the Goreme Open Air Museum, the ticket is 20 lira. If you want to enter the Dark Church, you need to buy another ticket, the ticket is 10 lira. "Greme" means "so that you can't see", that is, to prevent the enemy from seeing the Christians hiding in the cave community. The rock in the picture below is the first rock to enter the Goreme Open Air Museum.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
There are about 7 layers of caves, rocks like this. There are many in Cappadocia. And the magic of Goreme is not just the cave rocks, but the secrets hidden in it. Goreme Open Air Museum Cappadocia For thousands of years, people have been digging on this soft volcanic layer, and finally created a huge underground metropolis.
According to records, as early as 2,000 years ago, the Hittites, the ancestors of Turkey, used the soft limestone here to dig caves and live here. After 190 AD, Cappadocia became a province of the Roman Empire, and Rome advocated polytheism. Christianity was brutally suppressed, and a large number of Christians came to this dangerous place.
Cappadocia, which was suitable for hiding and easy to dig, began to build churches and established the first Christian suburb in Asia Minor. In the 4th century AD, Christianity had become a powerful political force. Constantine the Great and his successor Emperor Theodosius realized that Christianity could be used to consolidate the rule of the empire.
Therefore, the policy was changed and freedom of religious belief was declared. Christianity was made the state religion. At this time, Cappadocia became the center for the spread and study of Christian doctrines. Christians built churches, monasteries and other religious facilities in mountain caves, forming a loose religious society. Sectarian disputes within Christianity in the early 8th century AD.
The invasion of the Muslim Arabs in the 9th century AD made Cappadocia a refuge for Christians to escape the persecution of foreign races and pagans. A few hundred years ago, the Muslim Turks came here and established the Ottoman Empire. The local residents converted to Islam one after another, and almost all the Greeks who insisted on believing in Christianity evacuated.
Christianity gradually disappeared in this area. Until 1907, French priest Guillaume de Gefagnon came here and discovered those strange churches and monasteries on the rocks and pillars, and those numerous religious murals. He conducted surveys and researches like a madman, and published a monograph "A New Province of Byzantine Art" in 1925.
Rock Churches in Cappadocia". Since then, Cappadocia has been valued by Western religious and academic circles. Its rare humanistic value has become a topic of research. From a distance, you can't see anything unusual except those gray rocks, but the secret is under those inconspicuous rocks.
See the white rock in the middle? There are several churches hidden in such a small area. This is the entrance to one of the churches under the white rock. Zhou Xiken introduced the Albasu Church, Apple Church, St. Barbara Church, St. George Church, Right Church, Snake Church, and St. Basil Church to Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi in detail.
I could remember them at first, but later there were too many to remember. There are more than 150 churches and monasteries in Cappadocia built on rocks, stone pillars and underground cities, while there are only more than 30 churches in the Greme Open Air Museum. Due to erosion by wind and rain and human destruction, many churches and monasteries have been severely damaged.
The murals in the caves are gone. Even the holy images that ordinary people dare not desecrate have almost all lost their eyeballs. Local friends said that some people believe that grinding the blue eyeballs of saints into powder can be used as an aphrodisiac to increase sexual desire and stimulate childbirth. Therefore, the eyeballs of many figure paintings have been gouged out. How many crystallizations of human wisdom.
It was thus corrupted by the ignorant hands of a few people. Some of the surviving murals in the cave churches are relatively intact. These churches have high artistic value and are the best testimony to the firm faith of Grame. Cave Church Grame Open Air Museum Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi are waiting in line at the entrance of the Apple Church.
The murals in the Apple Church are among the best preserved in the Gleme churches. The church is small, but it has 4 pillars, 8 small domes, 1 large dome, and 3 semicircular niches. The murals are reddish in color, which is consistent with the name "Apple". In order to protect the murals, there are special people in each church in Gleme to supervise and no photography is allowed.
No loud talking allowed, so no photos inside the church. When traveling to many places in China, the protection of cultural relics is not so strict. Should Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi learn from this? Apple Church entrance Grame Open Air Museum This seems to be the first church to enter the Grame Museum, because there are many people queuing.
Zhou Xiken usually asked Yunluo and Nalan Shiqi to visit the less crowded places first, and then visit the more crowded places, to save time as much as possible. The three rocks opposite the Cave Church and the Grame Open Air Museum are also the focus of Grame, with churches and monks' residences.
There are many visitors to the Goreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. There are queues at each cave entrance. It is said that hundreds of thousands of Christian Europeans and Americans come to Goreme every year to visit and study the rise and fall of Christianity. The visitors met a group of lovely Turkish teenagers on the road in Cappadocia. (To be continued...)