Goreme Things to Do

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Am I so glad I continued my walk from red to rose valley to Cavusin.

It's a very interesting town with the tall and wide rock structure that looks like an old tenement building settlement. It's one of its kind. Never seen anything like it, well, except of course the Uchisar Castle, but the castle is more of a box-type. This one is wide range. Don't get me wrong, they're equally interesting for me.

There's also a nice roman church ruin below the rock settlement. The beautiful and elegantly carved facades of the houses of old Cavusin brings evidence of how impressive the village once was.

Last stop --- the huge rock mountain church of Cavusin.
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I got confused really which is Red and which is Rose Valley, one thing I'm sure of -- they share the same color at most times, I think they're beside each other sharing the same space. The Red Valley isn't literally red and the rose valley isn't blooming with roses. I think it has something to do with the prominent colours of the rock mountains (see pics) -- that sounds like I'm genuinely dumb!

So anyhoo, I think leaving the Hacli Church I was on my way to Rose Valley, don't forget to buy a bottle of water from the snack shop beside the Hacli Church before proceeding as it can get hot walking onto the Rose valley.

The mountain range is really coloured in pink (or old rose, so there I am again with my quite serious dumbness) that's why they called it Rose valley, but why not Pink Valley, so there's a red valley and a pink valley, just for the consistency - colors - instead of flower. Stop me please, right now! ...... Next tip === Cavusin.
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From Hacli Church in Red Valley I continued my walk up and down the rocky mountain. The road is clear but there are a lot of cliffs and no shades from the scorching heat during the summer (it wasn't summer as yet). Nice views here, and there's this huge jutting rock mountain that looks like the back of an elephant, a little slippery but you can (dare! if you must) walk upto the end of it and take a great pic (see my photo here).

It's only about 10 minutes and reached the Rose Valley...next tip for that.
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Entry is free at the rock-cut church - up onto narrow stairs leading to a chamber with frescoes and what appears to be a cross on the ceiling of the cave church (see pics).

I took a rest here as there's a snack shop housed inside a cave (how cool is that, a cave snack bar up the hills). The local guy made me a sandwich toast and freshly-squeezed orange juice, tea is also available and some souvenir stuff. Several tables and chairs around the place overlooking the beautiful valley below.

I could have ended my hike here as the sun is really high and hot and I'm tired.

Until I've heard those 2 Aussie girls I've come accross in the Kilclar Valley asking the shop guy for the way to Cavusin -- where is Cavusin so I thought?

So after munching on my huge sandwich toast that I've shared with the fluffy dog and a couple of bumble bees, plus some minutes rest, I went on to the same path where the 2 went walking --- onto Cavusin -- wherever it may be. The guy said - and I heard - only 15 minutes to half an hour walk and that he lives there.

I thought I'm done with my hike for the day, but no, Cavusin sounds interesting, as there's another couple who asked for the way too from the snack bar guy --- so next tip onto - Cavusin.
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I don't know which is which but signs are pointing that I've reached Rose Valley, so I walked up the rocky mountain onto an open space and the rock-cut church called Hacli Church, then I've realized this place is still a part of the Red Valley and there's a rock-cut church with a cave snack bar (like The Flintstones), ...click onto the next tip --- the Hacli Church.
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The good thing about hiking in Goreme is that even if you get lost, you'll definitely end up some other sight and onto another site.

From Kilclar, another kilometer (following the sign scribbled on rocks) onto the Red Valley.

I don't know exactly why it's Red Valley, but do I really need to find out? The place rocks --- of rock! and it's amazing.

By the way, caution for female travelers/hikers. During my hike around Kilclar Valley, I came across these 2 Australian girls who were hiking there too and we've seen this local mid-aged guy who was sitting at one of the rocks (in a desolate place where most of the time no-one is around except for occassional hikers). He seemed to be harmless and just being "friendly", he talked to us, walked with us and showed us one of the caves.

The opening of the cave was like 5-foot high and a little difficult to climb and the guy assisted all of us but I saw him push/touch the crotch (or butt?) of one of the girl up to the high entrance. I'm sure the girls noticed it. And when we were about to walk our way further onto our next destination, he was still there and he asked me why I was with the girls... like I posed danger to the girls? Me? HA..HA...

Or maybe he can't further his nasty plans, whatever it is?

So I told the girls to just say thank you to the guy and walk faster to get the guy off their way.

click here ..onto the next stop
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I was supposed to hike onto the Love Valley but I got lost and ended up in Kilclar Valley and saw the signs in red pointing to Red Valley.

Kilclar Valley is very near the town, some half an hour walk. I don't have any idea actually where I'm going but the just-do-it (sounds like Nike?) attitude in me is working so I continued walking until I've realized I'm already doing one of the popular hike/path onto several valleys in the area.

RED Valley on the next tip.....
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Some visitors got themselves contented seeing and going up the castle, there's more down the side of the castle. There are several rock formation and old rock settlement around the area. Some really very interesting ones.

That's the end of my first hiking day to Uchisar Castle

Next tip... for the following day hike to several valleys onto Cavusin --- starting with Kilclar Valley.