Cappadocia: Hot-air Ballooning
It’s a rare day I’m up before daybreak. It’s an even rarer day I voluntarily expose myself to the cold; being an island girl, I’m literally not built for it (or so I like to say). Today is that rarest of days when I’m not only eager to arise at 4:30am, but also willing to stand outside in the 35°F (2° C) cold.
It’s incredibly dark, save for a single lamp hanging above the coffee table. Faye, Jed, and I chat with Bruno and Geronimo, our new Argentinean friends, in an unnamed valley in Kapadokya (Turkish for Cappadocia), poking fun at Kamille and Missy hiding in the van. A slow, distant rumbling indicates an approaching vehicle in this rocky terrain. And across the dry plateau, I see our basket being unloaded off a trailer. Before long, a flat green canvas grows into an oversized balloon.
With the arrival of faint morning light, the very first balloon floats into the air, rising up to meet the moon. And as we inch our way off the ground, other balloons become visible beyond the hill.
The sun ambles up slowly, higher and higher into the sky, and we match its leisurely pace. The balloon drifts with the wind, up, down, left, and right. The view grows more and more spectacular the longer we drift, the higher we climb.
As dawn breaks over the horizon and the panorama grows increasingly visible, one can’t help but marvel at nature. The passing of time seems irrelevant from my daily perspective, but the rock formations below are evidence that time is very relevant: The rocky terrain is riddled with peaks, points, pillars, cones, balancing boulders, and volcanic ash naturally shaped into towers called fairy chimneys. The craggy landscape is so photogenic that it doesn’t matter if none of my photographs are taken with an actual camera (Dear iPhone, how do I love thee?).
Kapadokya, thank you for this unforgettable experience.
Amazing photos!!! I’ve always wanted to do that!
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Thanks Yeni! If you get the chance, it’s totally worth it.
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I love and miss that place <3 Especially the sunrise…
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Me too, Muge! It’s so easy to fall in love with, right? Çok güzel.
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cok guzel!!!!
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It looks AMAZING !! I want to try it too!
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It IS amazing, Khadiija! And as amazing as it looks, imagine actually being there! Excuse me while I daydream….
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Have I ever mentioned you have an eye for photography? Anyway, you should invest in a DSLR camera then publish a travel book or something (like those big coffee table books). 😉
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Aww!! You’ve never mentioned before, but thank you! I’m more of an iPhone photographer. Haha
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Amazing pictures for an iphone :)
I have a question: I don’t have to book a balloon ride in advance right? I can also book it when I am there, can’t I?
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Haha. iPhones take amazing photos…and it didn’t hurt that the landscape was pretty amazing too lol.
We booked the ride in advance, just to be sure; but you should be able to book while you’re there. If you’re going to be spontaneous about it though, I’d suggest taking into consideration the weather (could be a no-fly day), peak tourist season (less available spaces for spontaneity, or your group might have to split up), and your flexibility (if you’re only there a couple of days, do you really want to chance it?). Feel free to email if you want to talk through logistics. :)
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Thanks :) Yeah, I guess it would be better to book a flight. Payment is at the location in cash right?
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Hmm, that probably depends who you book with; some companies might want a deposit or upfront payment, though I do seem to remember a cash exchange onsite….
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Okay :) Thank you for the information!
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Have an amazing time!
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Thanks :)
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