At the end of our hike we enjoyed a tasty lunch in a traditional hut over the stream. We enjoyed a selection of items, including yogurt with honey, baked trout, French fries (!), salad, and fresh bread.
After lunch we drove to an area called "the cathedral", which was actually a series of multi-storey churches set in to high mountains near the valley we hiked. The caves there were incredibly complicated and ornate. Sadly, although there was evidence of former frescoes, it looks like almost all if the caves were burned out, destroying them.
We then had an arranged tour of a pottery workshop, where Aoife got to try her hand at making a vase! The artisans here were fantastic; the master being a 5th generation potter (who looks a lot like Einstein too).
On the way back to the hotel, we inspected a few more cave dwellings, including an area used by St. Simon as his own personal monastery (away from everyone and everything else), and various other rock formations (one looked like a camel).
There was quite a bit of travel/driving today, so we actually didn't get home until after 7:00. Both of us weren't hungry at all, owing to today's big lunch, so no dinner tonight.
An early start tomorrow (leaving the hotel at 6:30 am), and heading west to the region if Ephasus and Ancient Rome.
Tomorrow is primarily a travel day, so there may not be huge updates. Again, as we're changing hotels, Internet remains uncertain (though likely ok). It's going to be hot, hot, hot there. Hope we survive!
Talk to you all soon,
Aoife and Paul.
Thanks for the posts - love them!
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