Panoramic view from our breakfast and dinner table at Uchisar Kaya Hotel overlooking the Pigeon Valley was a great introduction to many sights seen in a busy two days in this unique region. Tours included underground city of Kaymakli which once held as many as 3,000 people, rock churches of the Gorme Valley protecting early Christians, and open-air Musium with more tunnels and 8th century murals. A special treat was visiting the rock home of Ali's friend Tahrim where he and his wife welcomed us with traditional Turkish tea. On the second day, we were up at 4AM for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride captained by Ismil Keringlu, captain of the Turkish balloon team who had returned from Istanbul at midnight to keep his commitment to Ali to pilot our 20 passenger ballon basket. Wednesday we drove to Ankara stopping at 13th century camel caravan stop on the Silk Road from China to Europe which is currently being restored. The final stop was Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations where Ali used a map of Turkey with historical references to summarize the many places we have been and unusual sights seen in our 2 1/2 weeks in Turkey.
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