Summer in Sydney. We forget how lucky  we are to live in this wonderful city. A visit from our very good friends Bev and Dwight from Oklahoma City gave us the opportunity to explore the city and its surrounds.

A cool and rainy Christmas was spent with the extended Cook family at Robertson in the Southern Highlands.

Walk from Elvina bay (Pittwater) to aboriginal rock carvings and spectacular view over Pittwater.

The result of the October fires at Palm Beach was very evident.

It was so fortunate that they stopped when they did, disturbingly close to the wonderful old lighthouse, such an important landmark for sailors approaching Pittwater.

Palm Beach

Back to Sydney for New Years Eve on Sydney harbour – a must do for any visitor to Sydney.

The Spit to Manly walk was another highlight. It is a 10km hike which hugs the waterfront, providing wonderful views of the city and the harbour.

North Head

These cheeky waterdragons were not put off by the many people trekking along the path.

Flannel flowers

Reef beach – one of many beaches along the walkway. Hard to believe this is the middle of the city on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Sea Cloud safely up on the hard, we flew to Cappadocia, a place which has been on our bucket list for a few years. The Kelebek Hotel in Goreme was a very convenient and lovely base for exploring this geographically stunning area.

Some wonderful short hikes are within walking distance of  Goreme.

Love Valley

The Goreme Open Air museum is a complex of monasteries and churches carved into the rock. The frescoes decorating the from the 10th-12th churches are remarkably well preserved. The site is  best visited late in the afternoon as understandably is a extremely popular and crowded.

An day tour with a guide facilitated a visit to Rose Valley, aptly named for its beautiful coloured rock.

Pasabag, or monks valley was a popular wedding spot. It was not wise to pass too close to this not so friendly camel.

Lunch in the spectacular Kings Canyon was a treat. A fabulous meal from grown vegetables, eaten in a cave restaurant with our group of americans, aussies and local Turkish people.

It is hard to imagine how life must have been in the Kaymakli underground cave city which extends 8 floors below the ground. The city,  expanded over the centuries, has provided  its inhabitants with protection from the marauding tribes.

Hot air ballooning is a must do for visitors to the area. Unfortunately it was not an option for us because of the weather. However, we were treated to this magnificent site as we left Goreme heading for the airport, and Australia.