"Last part of the Turkey trip" Goreme by unaS

Arrived in Goreme by overnight bus at 7 am.

Joined a small group tour to visit Derinkuyu in Neveshir, an underground city located in this area. Some of the underground cities have extensive rock drawings or icons, especially in the churches.

Walked in the valley of the fairy chimneys in Pigeon Valley. A fantastic sight to see.

Later a pleasant walk in Ilhara valley, a tree lined stream, cool air and babbling water, just marvelous! Walked for 4 of the 14 km. trail from Karagedik church to Belisirama, ate lunch in a stream side restaurant at the end of it.

Then a visit to Avanos, and a ceramics factory. The fantastically fine work of the hand painters on the pottery was amazing. Reminded me of the description by Orhan Pamuk in his book "My Name Is Red". He writes about the miniaturists of the late 1500's and how they invariably went blind. The work these people were doing was as delicate as the use of a brush with a single hair – and they had to bend right down close to their work despite modern lighting.

Had a dish of Turkish yogurt with sliced cucumbers in it and a pide, a Turkish pizza for supper and to bed - had a really early start in the morning.

A photo of our companion balloon

Possibly the 2nd best experience I have ever had, superseded only by swimming with the wild dolphins in Karakoura...

Awake before the sun rose. At 5.30 am had to be at the hot-air balloon tour office. What can I say? I haven't the words, to explain the beauty, the feelings aroused floating in a hot air balloon over pigeon valley and watching the sun rise...

After landing I remained light headed and feeling as if I was still up in the air, a kind of natural high. A breakfast was provided, but I couldn't eat yet, another cup of coffee was sufficient for me.

Goreme - Pigeon Valley

Later visited Urgup, the Caravan Saray, Uchisar and Cavusin.

Aksaray and the mushroom chimneys towered over us as we walked a short distance in rock valley.

A visit to the Open-Air museum in Goreme for a close view of the rock caves and churches. The guide was an historian. He gave us a synopsis of 5,000 years of history in ½ an hour; an amazing feat.

At 5.30 a dolmus to the bus at Keyseri. From there to the airport for a short flight back to Istanbul.

• Pros:An exhilarating experience
• Cons:Now I want to ride in a hot air balloon again!
• In a nutshell:Worth a second visit.