Uncle Tahrim's terrace and adjacent Fairy Cone guest quarters

Inside Uncle Tahrim's house

Entrance to Uncle Tahrim's Fairy Cone house

New Fairy Cones from volcanic ash

Eroded Fairy Cone dwelling

Balloon Ride over Cappadocia

Cappadocia Fairy Cones and more - Monday, April 30 thru Wednesday, May 2.

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 The final stop was Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations where Ali used a map of Turkey with historical references to summarize the many places we have been and unusual sights seen in our 2 1/2 weeks in Turkey.

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Cappadocia rock houses from our hotel balcony

Temple parts everywhere

Ali Dogan our master tour guide with a direct link to the heavens

Kallock's and Loyers in Aspendos, Turkey almost 50 years after our wedding

Antalya, Perge & Aspendos - modern & ancient together. Friday April 27 - Sunday April 29

Walking tour of Old Town including Hadrian's Gate, old harbor, and ancient walls in midst of modern, bustling city. Saw best archaeological museum of the trip with many, many well preserved relics and remarkably intact statues from second century AD. Visited immense once thriving city of Perge with its 12,000 seat stadium and 15,000 seat theatre from the era of Alexander the Great. Farewell dinner on dock was excellent. Sunday was an 11 hour ride to Cappadocia with stop in a very conservative city to view Muslim traditions.

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2012 UM Legends of Turkey Tour Team

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Traugott, Michael" <mtrau@umich.edu>
Date: April 28, 2012 8:50:37 GMT+03:00
To: "'rwkallock@windstream.net'" <rwkallock@windstream.net>
Subject: Team Photos