Back on earth, after another breakfast and a Skype date with New Zealand, we head off to bed for a rest. Two mornings of 4 am wake ups are starting to take their toll. No need to set an alarm though as the 12.30pm prayer call does the job.
After a 3 dollar lunch from the supermarket, we decide to head to Goreme’s famous open air museum. Famous for churches and monasteries carved in the rock, it’s a little bit of a ‘must see’ in Goreme. 2 pm in the afternoon however is not a good time; it’s hot enough to cook an egg! Despite that, we slowly make our way around, utilising the cool caves for frequent respites. The beautiful fresco adorn small churches. Every storage place you need in the kitchen is simply carved into the rock. Although an amazing place, the hordes of tourists somewhat detract from the majesty of the place. Some say Goreme is like a Disneyland of Turkey; I would have to agree in this place. The steady stream of buses, tour guides reciting history (albeit always with interest factual variation and hyperbole) must be more suffocating as the summer heats up. It’s a shame the numbers are not regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
In search of somewhere quiet, we head off to walk through various valleys which dot the area. The red valley snakes its way in front of us as we walk to a ridge; I’m keen to get that panoramic shot that I missed on the balloon ride this morning. Emily soon makes friends with a black foal, incredibly attentive and playful, following her around and nibbling on the backpack. It then decided I’m the flavour of the day, having a good chomp on the camera bag! Talking to others it seems this horse befriends everyone who comes to the ridge.

We come to an amazing church, carved into a huge rock abutment. It’s pretty breathtaking to see the complexity of these caves mansions. The course of time, taking its toll as rooms erode with the rain. The quiet is somewhat ruined by ATV’s and farm bikes ripping through the dirt roads. The potential for calamity is massive, as people speed over unforgiving crests, no helmets, crappy brakes. Not for us ! I’m happy to walk, despite the fact that my shirt is sopping with perspiration.
After 2 hours of sun, we have our vitamin D quota for the month, and head home.
A quick dip in the pool is definitely called for, before we head out for dinner with some mates from the hostel; no kebabs tonight – Turkish pide or pizza is on the menu.