- How nice and friendly Turkish people were.
- Istanbul as being a must visit!
I must say, on both accounts I was left rather disappointed! Don't get me wrong, there are definitely MANY MANY nice Turkish people out there and I met many during my time in Turkey from the countless time I hitchhiked to a Turkish local from Istanbul I met in Cappadocia who chauffeured me around Cappadocia when he saw me walking between towns as he was also travelling around Cappadocia in between different towns.
However, walking through the bazaar and markets I was pestered by aggressive merchants which killed many of the experience and led me to some ill-feelings about Turkey. In one case, I had a merchant grabbing onto my hands and not letting go only to have profanity thrown his way! That said, my experience was probably spoilt by Iran and how high Iranian's set the benchmark for hospitality!
So my question is, what does Turkey really have to offer? Istanbul? Not really... Voted as the best travel destination in 2014 by Tripadvisor, I thought it was very much overrated. While being a beautiful city with some beautiful Mosque and history, I wouldn't pick it as my top reason to go Turkey! For me, the highlights were:
1. Cappadocia
From amazing rock formation that forms the valleys to rock castles, underground cities and cave churches dating from the early Christian communities. Cappadocia has plenty to both nature and history lovers.
Like most tourist, I decided to splurge a little and indulge myself on a hot balloon ride in Cappadocia to see the amazing rock formation that makes of the valleys and landscape of Cappadocia. However, the most enjoyable was probably hiking the various valleys around Cappadocia and rest assured, there are no shortage of valleys to hike! I ended up spending 1 week in Cappadocia alone!
While I'll probably put Istanbul at number 3, I won't be covering in this post. My advice about Turkey would be, if you haven't been to Iran or Turkey yet. GO TO TURKEY FIRST. Once you're spoilt by Iranian hospitality it'll be hard to for Turkey to live up to the friendliness and hospitality of the Iranians!
Like most tourist, I decided to splurge a little and indulge myself on a hot balloon ride in Cappadocia to see the amazing rock formation that makes of the valleys and landscape of Cappadocia. However, the most enjoyable was probably hiking the various valleys around Cappadocia and rest assured, there are no shortage of valleys to hike! I ended up spending 1 week in Cappadocia alone!
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| Temminni Tepe viewed from the town of Urgup in Cappadocia |
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| Ortahisar Castle. |
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| Sunset over Cappadocia from Otahisar Castle looking towards Mount Erciyes. |
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| Setting off high into the sky over Cappadocia as the sun rises. |
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| Sunrise over the valleys from above. |
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| Sunrise over the valleys from above. |
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| Hiking through Pigeon Valley. |
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| Arriving at Uchisar from hiking through Pigeon Valley. |
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| Hiking through Red and Rose Valley |
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| Abandoned pigeon houses in Rose Valley. |
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| Inside a early Christian cave church found in Rose Valley. |
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| Rock formations of Red Valley |
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| Sunset over Red Valley. |
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| Love Valley. One of the prettiest valleys in Cappadocia. |
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| Zemi Valley. |
2. Pamukkale
The UNESCO site of Pamukkale is a must see for anyone coming to Turkey! A truely beautiful site of white terrace formation filled with mineral water. At the top, the ancient city of Hierapolis can be found! |
| Pamukkale from below. |
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| The mineral pools on the way walking up. |
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| Sunset over Pamukkale |
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| Sunset over Pamukkale |
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| Sunset over Pamukkale |
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| Sunset over Pamukkale. |
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| Sunset over Pamukkale |
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| Sunset over Pamukkale |
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| Ancient ruins of Hierapolis |
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| Ancient ruins of Hierapolis |
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| Ancient ruins of Hierapolis |
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| Ancient ruins of Hierapolis |
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| Ancient ruins of Hierapolis |
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| Ancient ruins of Hierapolis |
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