It all started approximately 20 million years ago with intense volcanic activity. The region of Cappadokia was covered in immense amounts of volcanic ash, over millenia the ash was compacted to tuff, a soft and crumbly rock. Since then erosion created this bizarre landscape with its winding valleys and stone pillars, called fairy chimneys. From the beginning of human settlement till today people live in caves and hollow fairy chimney. Due to the soft tuff (so soft, you can erode it with bare hands) it was easier to carve out a rock and live inside than to pile them up and build a house. Today it’s a UNESCO world heritage site and major tourist attraction. But forget the open air museums, quad and horseriding tours and other tourist traps, the best way to enjoy Cappadokia is to wander the valleys and get lost.
With the educational part out of the way, here are the pictures:
One tourist trap is worth it though, the daily mass balloon flights. Only downside, I had to get up at 4 o’clock in the cool early morning hours, because a hot air balloon floats best when the air is cold.
