Part 2, Karst Landscapes of Cappadocia<br><br>Cappadocia Karst: The landscape of this region has been shaped by a combination of volcanic activity, weathering and erosion, resulting in a spectacular natural landscape. Cappadocia's karst landscape is not only a masterpiece of nature, but also a symbol of human ingenuity. This blend of geological wonders, historical sites and cultural heritage makes it one of the most unique tourist destinations in the world.<br><br> The Cappadocian karst landscape is famous for the following: Fairy Chimneys: hard rock at the top protects the soft rock at the bottom from erosion, forming mushroom-shaped rock pillars; Rose Valley: named for the pink color of the rocks at sunset; Love Valley: known for its unique towering rock columns; Pigeon Valley; Göreme Open Air Museum; Hot Air Balloon Secret Hills; Underground Cities: the early Christians in the karst caves in the construction of hidden dwellings, such as Kaymaklı (Kaymaklı), Derinkuyu (Derinkuyu), and Ozcona Derinkuyu and Ozkonna, among others.<br> 2-1, Pigeon Valley<br> The Dove Valley is one of the most famous natural landscapes in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, named after the ancient nests of pigeons that were formed by weathering and erosion over millions of years and are densely packed like beehives in the cliffs, making it one of the iconic fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia. Visitors can overlook the magnificent canyon scenery from Pigeon Valley, where the rays of the setting sun splash over the white and pink rocks in the early morning and late afternoon, creating a breathtaking sight. A must-see stop on any trip to the region.<br> Pigeon Valley is like many pigeon nests, formed by millions of years of weathering and erosion, as densely distributed as a beehive on a crag, very spectacular. The setting sun's rays on the white and pink rocks create a stunningly beautiful scene 2-2, Turkish Hot Air Balloon<br><br> Türkiye is famous for its spectacular natural scenery and unique geographical features, making hot air ballooning a very popular tourist activity in the country.<br><br> Main hot air balloon flight locations in Türkiye: Cappadocia; Pamukkale.<br><br> Highlights of the Hot Air Balloon Flight Experience: Magnificent Views: Overlook Turkey's unique natural and cultural landscapes from high above, such as the strange rocks of Cappadocia, the white steps of Pamukkale, and ancient ruins. Sunrise: Most hot air balloon flights are scheduled at sunrise, and you can enjoy the gorgeous sunrise scenery, adding a romantic and dreamy color to the experience. Unique Perspective: Hot air balloon flights provide a unique perspective to appreciate these famous attractions, allowing you to capture the magnificent scenes that are difficult to see from the ground. Tranquil Flight: As the hot air balloon floats slowly in the air, you can feel an atmosphere of tranquility and freedom, away from the hustle and bustle, and immersed in the beautiful scenery. Celebration Ceremony: Usually after a safe landing, there will be a traditional champagne<br> We had planned to experience Turkey's famous hot air balloon tour, but due to weather conditions, we were unable to do so, which was a little regrettable; however, the next day was good, and the tour guide made a special effort to let us watch the hot air balloon flight when the tour group was passing by, thanks to the tour guide ah!！ Meanwhile, our guide gave our tour group a few photos of the Turkish hot air balloon to make up for not being able to take a ride! Thank you! 2-3, Göreme Open-Air Museum.<br> The Open-Air Museum of Gereme,（ a symbol of the "Invisible Place" and "Place of Refuge"）, is located in the Cappadocia region and is a World Heritage Site. It is a well-preserved Byzantine monastic complex, carved out of natural rock, which contains numerous churches, chapels, kitchens, dining rooms, dormitories, and other spaces where monks lived.<br> Dating back as far as the 4th century, the Graeme Open Air Museum was established as a hermitage and center of faith for early Christians fleeing persecution. By the 10th and 12th centuries, it became an important base for Byzantine monastic culture. All of the buildings were dug into the volcanic tuff, and many of the interior chapel walls are intact with frescoes depicting biblical scenes such as the birth of Jesus, the Last Supper, and the Crucifixion. Dark Churches (Karanlık Kilise): the frescoes are extremely well preserved and are known for their deep colors and delicate compositions. Apple Church (Elmalı Kilise): named after the apple pattern on the ceiling. Serpent Church (Yılanlı Kilise): the frescoes depict scenes such as St. George slaying the dragon. Not only a historical site, but also a testimony to the spirit of early Christianity. The perfect blend of faith and nature in this land of strange rocks is awe-inspiring and moving.<br> This is part of the Grame Open Air Museum, which is mostly "cave churches" dug into the soft volcanic rock. It was a bit hairy, and the tourists went into separate cave churches to visit。 This is the Church of the Apple (Elmalı Kilise), and the interior houses beautifully preserved frescoes from the Byzantine period, mainly depicting important scenes and figures of Christianity, including: the life of Christ: scenes such as the birth of Jesus, his baptism, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. ; The Virgin Mary: several frescoes present images of the Virgin holding the Holy Child; Angels and Saints: including the Archangels Gabriel and Michael, as well as images of other important saints. Known for their vibrant colors and fine lines, they demonstrate the high level of Byzantine art 【Since the entire underground church does not allow -photography-, we found a mural of an apple church from Wikipedia】<br> This is one of the most iconic frescoes in the Apple Chapel, the Crucifixion of Jesus, painted in the 11th century and an example of the late Byzantine style. This fresco depicts one of the most important scenes in the New Testament: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We see in the center of the picture the body of Jesus nailed to the cross, with his head slightly bowed and his feet overlapping. He is not twisted in pain, but with serenity and glory, symbolizing His willingness to lay down His life for the world. To the right and left of Jesus are two important figures, the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John, who are gazing sadly at Jesus, echoing the scene from John 19: "Mother, behold your Son ...... Son, behold your mother." Above the cross, we see two angels swooping down with their hands open as if to receive the blood shed by Jesus. This is a highly symbolic scene in medieval Christian art, denoting the intersection of God in heaven with sacrifice on earth. The circular area further up has the image of Christ in glory, which may also symbolize the Father. This makes the whole painting a vertical scroll of faith - presenting the complete path of salvation from God in heaven, to the cross on earth, to the looking believer.<br> Visit the Underground Church Remember Café to rest with our Canadian companions and wait for the tour group to assemble 2-4, Özkonak Dungeon<div><br> Turkey's underground cities, mainly in Cappadocia, more than 200 of which have been discovered, were used for defense, refuge from war, religious refuge, and long-term residence. There are ventilation shafts, shafts, churches, kitchens, breweries, livestock pens, secret passageways, etc., and the famous ones are Derinkuyu (Derinkuyu) Underground City (18 floors below the ground, 85 meters deep, housing 20,000 people; and Kaymakli, Mazı, Özkonak, and Tatlarin). 2022 Turkey discovers a more than 5,000-year-old underground city (named Matiate) in the Midyat region, reportedly with a capacity of 60,000 people, which is still being excavated.</div><div><br> We visit Özkonak, built around 400 BC and excavated for defense against foreign invasion. There are ten floors in total, of which four are currently open; there are ingenious rolling stone gates, which can quickly close the passages to protect the residents in case of an enemy invasion; and the city is equipped with kitchens, wine cellars, animal pens, storerooms, and prayer halls, which make it a very well-equipped place to live. It can accommodate about 2,000 people for a long period of time, making it an "underground city of refuge" in the true sense of the word.<br><br></div> Entrance to "Özkonak Yeraltı Şehri" (Özkonak Underground City) This is the Defense Rolling Stone Door (Stone Door), one of the most iconic defenses in the dungeon. It can be rolled from one side to the doorway, sealing off the passageway and fending off enemies from entering. There are also several small holes in the Stone Door, which may be used for observation or attacking external enemies from the inside. A piece of tumbledown door is being touched or introduced in an attempt to experience the surface structure of a tumbledown door and its immense size, and to feel the great wisdom of the ancients. Our guide was explaining to us the structure and history of the underground city; chiseling marks could be seen on the walls and the whole space was excavated by hand from volcanic rock. It gives us a more intuitive understanding of how ancient people lived and persevered underground during war or persecution. At the exit of the Özkonak Underground City (Özkonak Yeraltı Şehri), we emerged from the dark and twisting historical passages to be bathed again in the light of the ground, and the moment seemed to intersect with the mood of the ancients as they stepped out of their shelters in the midst of the turmoil and embraced hope. May the day come when the whole world is bathed in God's love and filled with peace and light 2-5 Peking Chinese Restaurant is located in the small town of Greme in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. After our visit to the open-air museum dungeon, our guide took us to Peking Chinese Restaurant for lunch; the restaurant is located in the small town of Göreme in the Cappadocia region of Turkey at Müze Cd. No:6, Göreme, Nevşehir 50180, Turkey. for those who are traveling freely. It's a great place to soothe nostalgia on the road and enjoy a taste of home in a foreign country; friends, remember 20231015 1:30 PM a delicious lunch? Thanks to the tour guide! 2-6, The Karst Landforms of Cappadocia - Fairy Chimneys<br><br> Cappadocia, Turkey, is one of the places on Earth that most resembles the "surface of the moon." This strange landscape before you is called the "Fairy Chimneys." Don’t they look just like the little elf houses from a fairy tale? In fact, these tall, slender rock pillars topped with "rock hats" are natural masterpieces sculpted over millions of years by volcanic tuff and basalt eroded by wind, rain, and karst-like processes after volcanic eruptions.<br> Walking through this wilderness feels like strolling on the moon’s surface—NASA even used this area as a reference site to simulate extraterrestrial terrain. This natural wonder inevitably brings to mind the praise from Psalm 104: "How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures!"<br> Even more moving is that hidden among these rocks are ancient Christian cave churches, monasteries, and refuges. During the Roman Empire’s persecution, early believers hid here to worship, leaving traces of their faith within these stones. They sought light in the darkness, just as Isaiah said: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light." (Isaiah 9:2). The land on which we stand is not only a geological marvel but also a testament of faith. May we, like these steadfast rock pillars, stand firm in God’s grace through life’s storms, unwavering and strong.<br><br> This strange landscape, which seems to be of extraterrestrial origin, is none other than Cappadocia in central Turkey. The National Geographic magazine of the United States called this place "the most lunar-like place on earth". Layers of rocky hills exposed pale, wind erosion into columns of "fairy chimneys" scattered forests, as if the time carved here in the memory. Walking through the area, one cannot help but think of the Psalmist's words, "All the mountains leap for the LORD" (Psalm 114:4). (Psalm 114:4)<br> This is not barrenness, but another kind of abundance-God sculpting the earth with wind and fire, molding faith with time and patience. In this rocky valley that sheltered the early believers, we see not just a geomorphic wonder, but a spiritual reminder:<br> Even in the "land of no way", God prepares a place of refuge, so that we may dwell safely in the rock (Deut. 32:13).<br> This is a typical "fairy chimney" rock pillar. You can clearly see the hard cap rock at the top "capping" the column below, forming a unique mushroom-like structure. This shape is due to the strong resistance of the basalt at the top to erosion, which protects the tuff below from rapid erosion. When viewed up close, they also demonstrate the intimacy and power of these landforms. This is a huge mushroom-shaped rock, wide and thick at the top and relatively narrow at the bottom. People are standing on the rock, and the image has a life-like atmosphere, while also emphasizing the sense of scale of the rock and the insignificance and awe of human beings in front of nature. Cappadocia's unique night view. At night, the old "fairy chimneys" and cave lodges are transformed into fairytale villages by the warm yellow light. These rocky buildings, once the hideouts of early Christians, have been skillfully transformed into charming restaurants and hotels. Sitting under the stars, sipping a cup of Turkish tea and listening to the whispers of wind and history among the rocks is a romantic experience not to be missed in Cappadocia. (Photo courtesy of the tour guide)