As planned the night before, we got up at 4.40 am to depart at 5 for our balloon flight today. A mini bus took us to the launch site where there were already a great many people and many balloons in various stages or preparedness. After a brief period of instruction we were off, taking off in the dawn sky for a truly memorable experience. We rose to several thousand feet and then descended to wend our way between the fairy chimneys themselves at times before again rising to such heights as to be able to survey large parts of the Cappadocia region. All the while below and all around us other balloons were either preparing to launch or in full flight as we were. We counted over 80 balloons and were told that typically over 100 balloons took part each and every morning when conditions are suitable. Absolutely loved this and would recommend this for anyone contemplating it. Following the flight we headed back to the hotel for breakfast before then packing up and setting off for another day of sightseeing. First stop was another panoramic view location before then heading off to "pigeon valley" for a hike from one end to the other. The hike took about an hour and was more of an enjoyable stroll than a true hike. Next stop was the Goreme open-air museum which was again a walk through a landscape of fairy chimneys and dwellings and churches built into the caves of this area - again very enjoyable and well worth a visit. Lunch followed, again at Avanos but at a different restaurant this time. Similarly decked out as yesterday's and again catering for large tour groups. A brief visit to an Onyx factory after lunch before we headed off in the bus for Nigde.En route and quite close to Nigde we visited the Gumusler Monastery, a 10th century Monastery Church carved into the rock in Gumusler. No longer in use but preserved as a museum we wandered through and saw some fascinating and well preserved Christian art adorning the walls as well as underground passages and chambers that also served as hiding places when needed. Back to Nigde we then went to visit Avsar College, a Gulan inspired school and the parents and patrons of the school for an evening of dining and entertainment. A range of activities included local folk dances performed by the children, a mock wedding or engagement ceremony involving members of our group and a demonstration of the form of artwork known as marbling. All this was preceded by a banquet style Turkish meal which was delicious. This was the night our tour leader had arranged for us to stay with local families and so we met our hosts for the night, Mahmoud, Zaytep and their daughter Ayse. At the end of proceedings we received and exchanged gifts and then were driven by our hosts to their apartment on the outskirts of Nigde. Spent a pleasant evening chatting with them before finally getting to sleep in a spare room on a fold out divan.
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