It was founded in the 4th century AD, making it one of the
oldest monasteries in the region.
The monastery was built into the cliff for a combination
of religious, practical and defensive reasons.
Sümela Monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was an important center of Greek Orthodox Christianity, in primarily a Muslim country, for more than 1,500 years.
The walk follows an
elevated wooden boardwalk that winds through the narrow gorge above the Zarı
Stream.
With the suspended wooden platforms it reminded me a little bit of the Caminito del Rey that we did in Spain
at the end of last year.
The Ottomans controlled the area since the mid 1400’s, and held it for
roughly 450 years, until WW1.
We stopped in Safranbolu, slightly inland with a well preserved old Ottoman city.
The name Safranbolu comes from saffron, which has
traditionally been cultivated in the surrounding area.
By the 17th century Safranbolu had become a prosperous city as a trading and stopping point on the important East–West caravan route between Anatolia and the Black Sea, part of the wider Silk Road network.
Safranbolu is a UNESCO World Heritage site because so much
of the old town, including its houses, streets, mosques, baths and markets, has
survived.
We figured the northern coastline would fit the bill.
The northern coast is a very different experience from the Andes mountains, with warm sunny weather, freshly caught seafood and sandy beaches.
We flew to Trujillo and rented a car to drive about 600km (360 miles) north up the coast.
We passed through fertile farm land and also dry desert stretches to reach Mancora.
It sits at around 2,430 metres (7,970 ft)
above sea level, surrounded by steep green mountains, clouds and valleys,
creating a dramatic landscape.
Historians still debate exactly what it was used for. Perhaps a
royal retreat, or perhaps a religious center, or perhaps a ceremonial place.
The unanswered questions add to its mystery.
It is also one of the highest navigable lakes in the world,
sitting at about 3,812 metres (12,500 feet) above sea level.
It is in the Andes and shared between Peru and Bolivia.
For centuries, the lake has been home to Indigenous communities that still maintain traditional farming, fishing, weaving and ceremonies.
The Colca Valley is a green ribbon surrounded by high
volcanic mountains, with villages, farms, and huge agricultural terraces carved
into the hillsides.
Many of these terraces were built by pre-Inca peoples and many are still farmed today.
It sits at about 2,335 metres (7,660 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes.
It is often called the “White City” because many of its historic buildings are made from white sillar, a pale volcanic stone created from eruptions of the volcanoes.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, large plazas, and churches.
In Bolivia it can carry a lot of meaning beyond just
appearance.
The traditional clothing worn by many Indigenous women in
Bolivia, especially Aymara and Quechua women, is a visible statement of Bolivian
culture.
The outfit has the traditional basics, and then, each woman adds her own personal touch.
Not all the women wore the traditional clothing, but those that did, wore it with pride.
Originally, Sucre was Bolivia's sole capital and the center
of political power.
However, as the country's economy shifted from the silver
mines around Sucre to the booming tin industry centered near La Paz, La Paz
became more economically and politically influential.
So now, Sucre is the constitutional and official
capital, where the Supreme Court is located.
La Paz is the seat of government (administrative capital), where the executive and legislative branches operate.
The discovery of silver at Cerro Rico in the 1500s helped
make the Spanish Empire enormously wealthy.
It also turned the city of Potosí, Bolivia, into one of the
largest and richest cities in the world.
Many of Bolivia’s mines are located high in the Andes at
elevations above 3,650 m (12,000 feet).
Mining co-operatives are where groups of miners operate mines collectively, sharing costs, equipment and profits among members.
Co-operatives employ a large share of Bolivia's miners.
We toured one of Bolivia’s co-operative mines in Potosí.
It was formed thousands of years ago when several
prehistoric lakes evaporated, leaving behind a huge crust of salt.
During the rainy season, December through May, a thin layer of water transforms the flats into one of the world's largest natural mirrors.
We were there the beginning of April on a perfect sunny day.
It is part of the same Andean high-altitude (altiplano) region as Chile's Atacama Desert, with elevations of roughly 4,000–6,000 meters (13,000–20,000 feet).
The National Reserve, surrounded by volcanoes and deserts, is a protected area in the remote southwest corner of Bolivia near the borders with Chile and Argentina.
The reserve was established in 1973 to protect endangered wildlife such as vicuñas and Andean flamingos.
Stretching along northern Chile, it lies between the Pacific
Ocean and the Andes Mountains.
Parts of the desert are so barren that scientists use the area
to simulate conditions on Mars.
To really explore the area we based ourselves in the little town of San Pedro de
Atacama for 4 nights.
Many of the local women embraced the idea, opening restaurants that serve local cuisine using only solar power to cook their meals.
