Cappadocia, the land of beautiful horses

Cappadocia (“the land of beautiful horses) is located in Central Anatolia, sort of in the middle of Turkey. With rich religious and historical significance, this high-traffic tourist destination was surely worth the 6-hour ride from Ankara.  The sophisticated underground cities that early Christians used as hiding places, fairy chimneys, underground tunnel systems that served as defensive networks, and the unforgettable hot air balloon ride in Urgup (for which I had to wake up at 3:45AM!) that overlooked Cappadocia’s landscape made this trip a truly unique place.

Goreme Open Air Museum
Goreme Open Air Museum

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Thought this was the sweetest thing...the man in the blue shirt gave me a sheepish look when he saw me watching him holding the red umbrella over his wife to keep her cool in the hot weather (it was about 100 degrees). So sweet!
Thought this was the sweetest thing…the man in the blue shirt gave me a sheepish look when he saw me watching him holding the red umbrella over his wife to keep her cool in the hot weather (it was about 100 degrees). So sweet!
Christians used to hide in these homes inside these stone mountains.
Christians used to hide in these homes inside these stone mountains.
Whirling dervishes!
Whirling dervishes!

Hot Air balloon ride (this is about 5:30AM!)
Hot Air balloon ride (this is about 5:30AM!)
I snapped this photo of other hot air balloons from my own hot air balloon!. Stunning, no?
I snapped this photo of other hot air balloons from my own hot air balloon!. Stunning, no?

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After we landed, our hot air balloon team had champagne and certificates prepared for us. After this long morning, we realized it was only 6:45AM!
After we landed, our hot air balloon team had champagne and certificates prepared for us. After this long morning, we realized it was only 6:45AM!

Underground city that's 8 floors deep. We only went to the 4th floor under ground.
Underground city that’s 8 floors deep. We only went to the 4th floor under ground.

My first time hanging out with a cute camel
My first time hanging out with a cute camel

 

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