Captivating Cappadocia | Capturing the Heart of Cappadocia

Visiting Cappadocia? Start Here!

May 18, 2012 0

Are you planning a trip to Cappadocia?

If so, you will be happy with this post.

I have put together a page to answer all of your questions. This is a must read for Cappadocia visitors so please pass it on to your friends.

Here are the Frequently Asked Questions included on the page:
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Avanos Art Show [VIDEO]

May 16, 2012 0

One FREE night at the Kismet Cave House! (up to $140 value!)
Are you coming to Cappadocia? Do you want to sleep in a cave?

If so, you should sign up for a chance to win a free night in a cave hotel. Click here for details.

Have you ever lived in an area known mostly for tourism?

One strange aspect of life here is realizing that for the local people life goes on as it would anywhere.

One of the goals of this site is to give you a sense of local life apart from the tourists. This interests me when I visit places, and I assume I am not alone.

As you drive around the region and see houses and shops, maybe this video will help make the people who live and work in them more real. They rejoice and suffer. They have talents and dreams. They are born and buried and to many of them the fairy chimneys are just rocks.

In this video you will see some of those people using their talents to create beauty. About halfway through, my daughter will explain some of the artwork. This is one part of life in Cappadocia that is not made for tourists.

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Cappadocia Photo of the Week May 15: Hot-Air Balloon Pyramid

May 15, 2012 3

I love the pyramid shape accidentally made by these hot-air balloons.

I know this is not the best hot-air balloon photo ever taken, but I chose it because of the triangular shape the balloons make altogether. One would think they planned it, but I just happened to be taking my normal morning walk with my wonderful Laurie at the perfect time.

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In Case of Emergency in Cappadocia…

May 14, 2012 0

One FREE night at the Kismet Cave House!
Are you coming to Cappadocia? Do you want to sleep in a cave?

If so, you should sign up for a chance to win a free night in a cave hotel. Click here for details.

Have you ever seen a movie that was set in a developing country in which the police were not corrupt?

I cannot think of one. At the same time I think that many people consider Turkey on the level of a Mexico or Thailand and have preconceived notions about the police force.

JUST BRIBE ‘EM
Case in point: Recently we were at a coffee shop in Göreme and ran into an Australian tourist who had rented a car and drove from Istanbul to Cappadocia in record time. We talked about speed traps, and, fortunately for them, they had not seen any. He made the comment that if they had, he would have just given the officer a few liras and continued on his way. My guess is that his perception is common. Would you agree? Continue Reading…

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My Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Royal Balloon [VIDEO]

May 11, 2012 4

This is just one of many helpful posts on hot-air ballooning in Cappadocia. To see all my posts on Cappadocia hot-air balloons, check out the HOT-AIR BALLOON INFORMATION PAGE

What is it like to lazily float in a hot-air balloon over the Cappadocian towns, vineyards, valleys, and fairy chimneys? Watch this 5 minute video to get a vicarious taste of the experience.

{Double Bonus: I have added an amazing new introduction to my videos thanks to my friend, Brad Hicks at DreamsRemembered.net. Even if you do not have five minutes, you should at least watch the first 20 seconds to see this awesome intro. If you want to put an experience or special event to video, Brad is the guy. Please check out his work and hire him!}

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Cappadocia Turkey Tour Guide Profile: Serdal Dikli

May 9, 2012 0

Arriving from beachside Mersin to landlocked Nevsehir University in the Tour Guide and Travel Agent faculty in 2003, Serdal Dikli was not sure which direction his life would go. But over 8 years later he is still here and working as a tour guide in what has become his favorite region of Turkey.

Serdal loves to share his knowledge of the beautiful Cappadocia region with visitors.

Being the youngest of five children, Serdal followed in big footsteps with one sister working as a professor in America and another sister and a brother working as teachers in Mersin and Hatay, respectively. He learned English in school and realized that guiding would be a good way to put it to use.
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Cappadocia Photo of the Week May 8: Bee on Apricot Blossom

May 8, 2012 1

Cappadocia spring

Nothing speaks of spring in Cappadocia like the apricot blossoms. Or is it a plum?

I am happy to unveil a new feature I mentioned a few weeks ago… the photo of the week! Every Tuesday, Inshallah, I will post a special Cappadocia photo to brighten your day. As I said in the past, I am happy to receive photos from those of you who have previously visited Cappadocia. I do not mind if it has been posted elsewhere. I will give you full credit and even include a link to your website. Send .jpg pictures to me at dukedillard@captivatingcappadocia.com. The width should be 580px (height does not matter). I can adjust it (but will not edit the photo otherwise) if you do not adjust it before sending.

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Cappadocia Turkey Tour Guide Profile: Efe

May 7, 2012 1

Is a tour guide needed for Cappadocia?

That is a hard question to answer because so many factors go into the decision.
Where do you want to go?

What do you want to see?
What do you want to know/learn?

Do you like to read and get your information from books?
What is your budget? and on and on…

Tour guide Efe is at home among the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.

My personal feeling is that some parts (but definitely not all) of Cappadocia are much better with a guide. And if you have the time and money for a guided tour, Hasan Hüsseyin Efe, call him Efe (sounds like Effay), is a good choice.
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Cappadocia Hot-Air Balloon Pilot: Who Is Flying Your Balloon?

May 4, 2012 0

To see all my posts on Hot-Air Ballooning in Cappadocia, check out the HOT-AIR BALLOON INFORMATION PAGE

Oh ho ho ho a pilot’s life for me! (Think Pirates of the Carribbean)

Cappadocia hot-air balloon pilots… Who are they? What is their life like? What does it take to be one?

Even after the balloon lands the pilot’s work continues.

Turks have a word that seems to capture their worldview, kismet. In English we translate it “fate” or maybe “serendipity”. I hear this word almost daily.

SUAT ULUSOY & KISMET
Suat Ulusoy, chief pilot for Royal Balloons, talks of kismet when he reminisces about his 17 year career as a hot-air balloon pilot in Cappadocia. As a history major at Ankara University, he was heading down one of the many corridors on campus and happened to see a notice for hot-air balloon pilot recruiting. He pursued it and has never looked back. Continue Reading…

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Kismet Cave House FREE Night Giveaway

May 2, 2012 43

One FREE night at the Kismet Cave House!
Are you coming to Cappadocia? Do you want to sleep in a cave?

If so, you should sign up for a chance to win a free night in a cave hotel. See below for details.

Kismet cave house door