Designer Babita Malkani spent a few days in the rock-pillared, fairy-chimneyed Turkish city and came away charmed.
Fashion designer Babita Malkani’s recent trip to Cappadocia has left her with many fun memories. In fact, the designer says that she never thought that she would be so enamored with the beauty of the place that it would inspire her to come up with an entire line based on it. “It was a completely unplanned family holiday,” she says. “Cappadocia, situated in central Anatolia, has a landscape unlike any other, with its mysterious pillars of rock, fairy chimneys capped with basalt resembling giant mushrooms and an alien terrain especially the eight storey underground city.”
Blue elements galore
The best time to visit is said to be May and June through October as the temperature is cooler at night. Cappadocia is famous for its pottery with artisans crafting the beautiful Turkish blue elements on different kinds of wall hangings, souvenirs, glass paintings and artifacts. Babita says that one can find the best souvenirs here depicting the Ottoman Empire. The delicate Turkish lights, she says, are a “must-buy” .
Shish kebabs & mezze
“The Ilgin thermal baths and the cave hotel in Cappadoccia made for the most relaxing experience. The best tourist spots are Konya with its salt lakes, Ilgin for its thermal baths, Gerome open air
museum, hot-air ballooning, underground city and Aranos for pottery are a complete must-see,” she adds.
Turkish cuisine is said to be one of the best in the world, especially the meat dishes. “The lip-smacking Donna kebabs and the mouth-watering shish kebabs are a must-try as well. The most authentic dish I had there was chicken with meats and vegetables mixed with rice that comes on a hot flame and is literally broken on the table by the waiter. The mezze platter with a combination of aubergines, hummus, and garlic yoghurt is to die for,” she laughs.
Babita also maintains that she is an avid traveller and found herself besotted with the beauty that Istanbul had to offer. “I feel Istanbul is one of the best countries I have visited with its regional charm and European modernity. Cappadocia, especially, has an immense amount of culture and is a place for adventure-lovers. I am really looking forward to visiting this amazing natural wonder year after year,” ends Babita.
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