Floating across the sunrise sky above the rugged moonscape of Cappadocia was one of the most incredible mornings of my life.
This surreal experience last September was bucket list material. The type of experience that bothers you, “”Did that really happen?“- But you have a camera in a digital total of one hour. You can never be articulated in words…it has to have.You have to go there just to get this. You have to do that too”.
There is no Turkish Cappadocia anywhere. More officially, it is located in Nebsehirvens, in the central Anatolia region. You land at a small airport, jump on the shuttle bus and drive for another 90 minutes. Unlike what we have witnessed so far, there are few signs of civilization and seductive landscapes. That much, you realize you think you’re accidentally flying to the moon. It’s a different world.
Most tourists venture here for the exact purpose of a hot air balloon. That was also my mission. The morning started with a 5am pickup from my hotel and was greeted by the bus with quiet and excited chatter from fellow balloon riders who were already collected. We were served coffee and a spread of breakfast while we arrived at Universal Balloon Head Office in the darkness and waited for the wind to fall to a safe level. The attendant warned that there might not be any flights that day. It’s always unpredictable.
Away in the fields, 100 balloons lay like sleeping giants, or like light bulbs with light. Suddenly we were given a go-ad and all were rushed back to the shuttle bus and driven towards the balloon. We stood around the balloons and watched them bulging out in a fierce flame skyshow.
After that, we arrived at the balloon. Twenty of us appeared in our assigned basket compartment. The balloon quickly bulged into that perfect round ball, then we flew before I could make it happen. We lifted the grass and stood up. At that moment I was so excited that I felt paralyzed with adoration. Our air balloon pilot Elsoy (yes, they are truly considered aviation pilots!) laughed and explained that we would enjoy in the air as there was no way to control speed or direction once during flight.
When you ride a hot air balloon, you are truly at the mercy of the air, making the experience completely refreshing, a little frightening… strangely clear. Hold firmly on top of the basket. Flying into the air is eerie and peaceful. We floated in the pigeon house and eroded the mushroom-like fairy chimney. Shaking around us was the other 100 balloons with a splash of colour. A kaleidoscope that illuminates the dawn.
An hour later, our baskets lowered towards the earth and gently and strategically landed on the back of the yute. A card table was supported in front of us, filled with festive medals and champagne glasses. It’s fine when it’s traditional to drink sparkling at 7:30am.
After the shuttle bus returned me to the cave hotel, I rammed under the covers. I drifted into that space between sleep and wake and somehow I felt vividly that I was living my dreams while I was awake.
As the hotel in Göreme recommends, I flew with universal balloons and found them to be great. I chose the “standard” flight (shared with 20 other people), but for a higher price you can opt for a deluxe flight with smaller groups, longer airtimes and even private balloon rides.
Been to Hot Air Balloons? What do you find on your bucket list?
