Day 18
We were up early for a good start to the next few days for travelling to Cappadocia with a few stops offs on the way.  The first stop off on the way was the Pamukkale which is a water spring with high levels of Calcium Hydro Carbonate which makes for calcium deposits sitting and hardening on the rocks to make it like snow crystals made by an earthquake in the 7th century AD . It was very impressive, with an ancient city of Hierapolis with Ancient Greek and Roman influences and a huge amphitheatre that is the size of 3 blocks, it was the most intact building I have seen with the back of the stage still standing.

After Pamukkale we were back on the bus for a long drive session with a bush camp in half way to Gorome which was half way between the burren with its bare rocks standing out of the ground and the curragh with its low thorny bushes. Some people slept on the roof to watch the sun rise and fall and the stars in between.

Day 19
The next day we were on the road to the Cave Houses and the river walk. We were on the bus for our usual second sleep then we pulled into the cave houses that are literally are cut out of the rocks and three stories high at a minimum. They are amazing but unused for the past few generations but they seem to be used for storage for crops and hay and as dens for the local kids and teenagers.

The second stop of the day was at the river for lunch and a walk along the river. For lunch we went to a restaurant on the river with huts over the river with cushions on the floor and low tables. Lunch was fresh trout with rice and salad with bread. It was the most relaxed lunch yet. We spent about an hour having lunch and then wandered down the river then back on the bus to go to the underground city.
The underground city was built in 3,000BC to save the local tribe from the Egyptians and they were connected to another city 9km under the ground. It was very cramped and some of the places made us nervous as we were doubled over trying to squeeze through. On level 8 underground is the Christians tunnelled some more which were much roomier. There was one entrance and exit from the bottom levels which meant that if you met someone one the way up or down someone had to side step into the rooms (more like dug out cave inlets) to let the other person pass. We didn’t spend too long there as the thoughts of getting stuck down there gave me the chills.

From the Underground city we went to the campsite and sat chatting for a bit and then a quick swim before dinner and early to bed as we are up at 4 for Hot Air Ballooning.

Day 20
We were up bright and early in the morning before dawn and down the road to the launch site for tea and biscuits before launch and to watch the balloons being blown up. Then out and launch the balloons which had about 25 people and the pilot in the baskets. And up we went for our adventure to dawn and beyond. The pilot put on a good show with just dodging trees and hills and rocks.
After the balloon was perfectly landed on the trailer and the balloon dragged down and the air deflated, there was local Champagne as it is tradition after a balloon ride. Then back to the campsite for breakfast. 

And just for Dad

TBC...