113 years old, Brazilian chooses Turkey's Cappadocia

NEVSEHIR, Turkey

Well past 100, a centenarian from Brazil decided this year to celebrate her birthday Turkish style, among the fabled fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.

Born in 1906, Cacilda Marilia Do Nascimento lives in Manaus in northern Brazil. After seeing the sights of Istanbul, she decided to celebrate her 113th birthday in Cappadocia, a region of central Turkey famed for its picturesque rock formations.

After a tour guide told Rasim Ari, mayor of the local capital Nevsehir, about the special visitor from halfway round the world, Ari visited Nascimento at her hotel, where they ate birthday cake together.

"The mayor’s great surprise made me happy. I just learned that he was elected to the post only last week. I want to thank him and also congratulate him," said Nascimento.

Ari, for his part, said he was surprised when he heard that a Brazilian was visiting to celebrate her 113th birthday.

"Her health is generally good. We learned that she woke up early in the morning and took a balloon tour and didn’t go to sleep yet," Ari said.

Cappadocia is famed for its unique "fairy chimney" volcanic cones, valleys, underground cities, boutique hotels, and houses carved into rocks, as well as churches and shelters used by early Christians.

On popular hot-air balloon trips, visitors can also enjoy a bird’s-eye-view of the spectacular sites.

The region, located in central Anatolia's Nevsehir province, is also an official UNESCO World Heritage site.

*Writing by Sibel Morrow