Cappadocia Day #6

This morning after breakfast, Robin and I walked part of the trail through Pigeon Valley.  Although the path in the valley wasn't difficult, it was challenging for us because it involved a steep and rugged path down (and therefore back up again!) in to the valley itself - an arduous way to start and complete the walk - and the trail included uphill, stony paths all in burning midday sun. We found some shade here and there to recover and restore the heart rate - but it was hard going in July temperatures. Probably should have gone later in the day!  The views were spectacular though, a trail littered with wild flowers and the air full of birdsong, surrounded by caves and carved out  hills rocks and all under an intense and relentless clear blue sky, There were even some surprise cultivated areas of lavender and sunflowers, and I'm glad we did it. Even more glad that we made it back to the car!  You can see how far down (and therefore, up again) we walked in the extra photo. The trail is the road in the bottom right hand corner of the picture which was taken towards the end of our struggle back up to the car.  As a reward and memento, Robin bought me one of the 'dreadful' tourist tat clocks that we have been laughing about in the souvenir shop. I will treasure it always. Almost as tacky as the tray with our photo on that we bought here in 2017. 

Brief sojourn in to town and then a couple of hours at the hotel before an early light bite dinner at a local restaurant that does not deserve our custom a second time. The evening was spent in the hotel bar with Murat, Krystal and Jerry. 

Guvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley) earned its name from the countless man made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Since ancient times Pigeons have been used in the Cappadocia region for food and fertiliser for the infertile soil. While pigeons no longer play such an important role in the area, their rocky homes have still been maintained by locals and can be found atop rock pillars and inside excavated cave houses and churches throughout the region, however, they are particularly numerous in this valley.  www.alaturkaturkey.com