Sibley Family and Friends Mount Ararat Expedition Dispatch
August 2, 2013 – The Entire Team is Together in Cappadocia
Today we woke up early in Istanbul in order to catch our flight to Kayseri, our entrance city to Cappadocia. We left our hotel early in order to avoid Istanbul‘s traffic. Everything went like clockwork; no delays, no stress.
We arrived in Kayseri around 11 am and immediately started our drive towards Uchisar, our next destination; Kayseri is an industrialized city located in Central Anatolia.
We made a quick stop along the way for lunch; it was a good meal and a fun experience. Some of us tried some local dishes and enjoyed.
Arriving at the Uchisar Castle
We arrived at Hotel Argos around 1:30 pm and everyone loves it here; great location, beautiful taste and design. It is a beautifully built hotel; rustic with elegance and above all respecting the location being a historical site. Our hotel is located on the site of an ancient monastery in the old part of Uçhisar Village. Argos in Cappadocia has carefully restored the remains of these historical dwellings, underground tunnels and caves. The end result is absolutely stunning.
The afternoon was for resting and we scheduled to meet at 6 pm at the reception. Our afternoon plan was to visit the Uchisar Castle, located just above us.
Uchisar, the village we are staying now, is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia, an elevation around 4000ft (1,224m). The hike to the castle is quite short from our hotel, the top of the Uchisar Castle provided us a magnificent panorama view of this region with Mount Erciyes in the distance. This area has a real lunar like topography, a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion.
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and definitely for good reason. Between the threats from the same forces that created this landscape, erosion, and of course the increased tourism, which is bringing modern development to the region, it is encouraging to know that the UNESCO status is promoting conservation in the area. We can hope that the wonders of Cappadocia will survive for another millennium.
Special thanks to Jake Sibley for some of his images in our dispatches.
On our bus to Uchisar
We have definitely left Istanbul.
Once we arrived in the old part of Uchisar, our bus no longer fit in the streets.
Our hotel surroundings
Woodie and Oz
Jim and Jake relaxing at the local plaza
Not hard to find interesting locations around here
Stairs to nowhere
Woodie and Mathes
Uchisar castle
Hiking to the castle
On top
Boys on top
Kelley in Cappadocia
Cary and Jack Sibley worked hard to put this trip together
Views from the castle
Mathes in Cappadocia
We left as the light was going down.
An array of dried fruits and nuts for sale
Kelley who is planning to open a Health Food Store talking with the local vendor.
Our hotel at night