ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA ā DAY TWO š¹š·
The one with bus karaoke, volcanic valleys, and a flaming dinner surprise
āļø After a well-earned lie-in (our beds were very persuasive), we emerged around 9 a.m. and gathered for another glorious Turkish breakfast feast. Iām starting to think these breakfasts could be reason enough to return, warm bread, juicy tomatoes, salty cheeses, olives, honey, and eggs cooked every which way. We ate slowly, savouring the calm before the adventure.Ā (Although the restaurant had some grumpy guests who were obviously not morning people and moaned about us being a bit giggly!”.
š¤ The buzz in the group was palpable. Today we were leaving the vibrant chaos of Istanbul behind and heading intoĀ Cappadocia’s surreal, otherworldly landscapes, a region Iāve dreamt of visiting for years. Our faithful little bus arrived (no disco lights this time) to shuttle us to the airport, and, in true AG fashion, what started as quiet chatter soon erupted into full-blown bus karaoke. You know who you are, and we salute your enthusiasm! What we lacked in pitch, we made up for in volume, turning Istanbulās notorious gridlock into a rolling concert of 80s throwbacks and belly laughs.
āļø Airport security gave us a bit of a runaround (two bag scans, missing boarding passes, and plenty of puzzled looks), but eventually, we boarded our short domestic flight. Hats off to Turkish Airlines, comfy seats, complimentary drinks, and a surprisingly delicious hot panini filled with gooey cheese, sweet tomatoes, and grilled peppers. Not bad for a flight just over an hour!
š½ After landing, I had my first encounter with a traditional Turkish squat toilet, an experience that can only be described as humbling. And the jugā¦ ceremonial? Practical? Decorative? A mystery for the ages. One I wonāt forget in a hurry!
š¶ The onward journey to Cappadocia was just over an hour, and to keep things lively, Alun whipped out a speaker and kicked off a word-association music game. āWalking on Sunshineā led to āThese Boots Are Made for Walkingāā¦ and somehow ended in an impromptu mobile choir belting out 80s classics through dusty valleys. It was glorious chaos ā and completely us.
šļø Then we arrived. Cappadocia.
And wowā¦ just wow. Imagine honey-hued cliffs, cone-shaped (or other, rude-shaped) fairy chimneys, and homes carved into ancient volcanic stone. It felt like stepping into a fantasy film. Our hotel was carved right into the rock, part cave, part boutique luxury, with rooms that came complete with jacuzzi baths and arched stone ceilings. Actual cave chic!
š» By 4pm, we were being bundled into a minibus that had definitely seen better days, ready for our next adventure: quad biking through the valleys. The seats were sandy, the engine loud, and the mood electric. After a quick briefing (āthumb here, steer there, donāt crashā), we were off! I had Ange behind me, and judging by the sound of her laughter, she was both terrified and loving every second.
š The landscape was straight from a dream, soft rose-tinted rocks, towering fairy chimneys, winding trails, and dramatic canyons that made us feel like we were riding on another planet. We stopped at a few scenic spots, where we posed for photos, stretched our legs, and even tried potatoes on sticks ā donāt ask why, just know they were salty, crispy, and surprisingly brilliant.
āØ After shaking off the dust, we headed out for dinner just as Cappadocia transformed into a glowing wonderland. Lanterns flickered above narrow alleyways, fairy lights danced along rooftops, and the scent of spices and grilled meats filled the cool night air.
š² Our rooftop restaurant was an absolute gem. I ordered the famous Lamb Pottery Dish ā and what a show! A clay pot was set alight at the table before being smashed open with a flourish, releasing the most fragrant, tender lamb stew Iāve ever tasted. Sweet bread, vibrant salad with pomegranate molasses, laughter all around ā it was a proper feast for all the senses.
š¹ As the stars appeared, we ended the night with our traditional āroses and thornsā reflections. There were plenty of highlights, a few laughs about squat toilets and karaoke, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for where we were ā and who we were with.
š Tomorrow is another early startā¦ and if today is anything to go by, weāre in for something truly unforgettable.
Goodnight from the land of fairy chimneys and flaming clay pots. āØ