Sunday, 19 April 2026 - Largely a travel day as we left Bodrum early and crossed Türkiye toward Cappadocia. Before departing we watched the sunrise light slowly spread across Bodrum Castle and the harbor. Late in the evening we arrived at our cave hotel, built directly into the stone hillsides, with a spacious room and patio overlooking the valley.
Today would be a day of travel. We would leave early in the morning and not arrive in Cappadocia
until late in the evening. Only a few pictures of Bodrum before we left.
Bodrum Castle overlooked the harbor in the soft light before sunrise.
The castle dominates the waterfront and dates largely to the early 15th century.
The water and city were still mostly quiet.
Just a few minutes later - after breakfast - the sun was up and the castle was
bathed in sunlight. The changing light completely altered the appearance of the harbor and walls.
We had a long drive from the airport to Ayvalı and the Gamirasu Cave Luxury Hotel Cappadocia.
Our cave hotel room was built directly into the stone hillside as part of a monastic retreat
carved in the Byzantine era.
Cave hotels in Cappadocia are carved into the region’s soft volcanic rock formations.
The doors and windows fit naturally into the rock.
The room opened onto a private patio overlooking the valley.
The hotel combined traditional cave construction with modern comforts and a large restaurant.
After a long travel day, it was a welcome place to relax.
