HOT AIR BALLOONING IN MAGICAL CAPPADOCIA

Maybe it was the biting cold, or the after-effects of a raki-infused night, or the realization that after the day’s events I would say goodbye to a few travel friends I made while in Turkey, or maybe it was simply because of hormones. Whatever it was, I am openly admitting that I was a messy ball of emotions while hot air ballooning in Cappadocia – 3,000 feet up in the air – right before the sun cast a splash of gold across the valleys and we reached our maximum flight altitude. Yep, #emotraveler right here.

It wasn’t a Kim-Kardashian-ugly-crying-face moment; it seemed more like me having a bout of allergic rhinitis. First, it was the slight sniffles. Then, my eyes watered up involuntarily. Finally, the tears just fell. When I looked around the wicker basket holding 12 other people, I realized I wasn’t the only one.

That was the Cappadocia effect... There were tears, people. TEARS!

Image by Urgup Balloons

The experience was overwhelmingly beautiful and the landscapes so surreal, I guess my emotions couldn't be contained. Is there an unsubscribe button for feelings? :-)

Corny as it might sound, it was one of those moments that made me feel truly ALIVE – happy to have had the opportunity to witness an incredible spectacle, so awestruck by the beauty that our world has on display, blessed to have met an eclectic and merry band of travelers who took good care of me while going around Turkey on my own, and a bit melancholy that my family was not there with me to witness such a sight, because they would have loved every minute of it.

The full extent of the Cappadocia effect can only be understood once you’re there, standing inside the hot air balloon basket and marveling at everything live. Here are some of the best moments on that day that will go down in TMT travel history as the moment I got carried away - literally and figuratively!

The experience started early in the morning with a pick up from my cave hotel. We had security and safety briefings prior to the flight in a nondescript building in the outskirts of town - after which, we were herded into the car for a short trip and minutes later, it coasted to a stop on a flat open field where bursts of flames were inflating the heat-resistant balloons. The heat provided much-needed relief from the single-digit temps as we waited for our boarding to commence.

I had initial misgivings about riding in the hot air balloon - I'm not a nervous flier and I actually love heights, but the thought of the tiny, cramped space + fire + potentially flammable materials did not exactly give me peace of mind. But those fears were unfounded when we finally glided up the sky in the smoothest flight I've ever had! I didn't even feel that we lifted off from the ground! The balloon company that I picked also has one of the safest records in Turkey and their balloons are made from quality-grade materials and the company has an ISO certification.

From lift off, the ground-level views gave way to endless panoramas of the spectacular landscape that Cappadocia is famous for the world over. The fairy chimneys are the result of years and years of erosion of volcanic sediments that later solidified into a soft rock known as tuff. The wind then did its job in polishing the smooth tops of these rock formations.

This photo was taken right after I cried. I think my pilot thought I was crying because no one else around was taking my selfies, so he offered to take one. ;-)

Midway through our cruise around the serene valleys, our pilot expertly maneuvered us close to the fairy chimneys - barely a hairline in distance to these poking stone cliffs. We descended almost to the ground to take in the scenery from this unique vantage point - some of these areas haven't been trodden on by visitors for a millennia.

The Turkish government only owns specific areas across the valleys - the Goreme Open Air Museum, for example - and the rest are owned by locals. You can easily and unknowingly trespass on private property because there are no fences, no delineations on where the public and private land starts and ends!

The valleys of Cappadocia are so vast at 5,000 square kilometers - many without proper road systems - that majority of them have been left untouched and the only way to see them are from the air. I'm not complaining - if only to help preserve this gem of a sight for future generations.

In my hot air balloon group, there were four ladies – all in their 70s, traveling together and comparable to an older and wiser version of the Sex and the City women. I called them the Golden Girls and they were quite a riot! When they saw the landscape, one of them quipped: "Oooh, that one right there looks like my husband's [penis]!" They cracked up everyone with their no-holds-barred commentary on how everything looked like giant dildos and penises. :-)

Two of the balloons touched each other as we started our ascent and our pilot mentioned: "that is how hot air balloons KISS!" No worries about getting into an accident though, as the two separated from each other after a quick tug on the directional equipment of each balloon. Plus, all the balloons were floating lazily - literally CHILL AF - that the sheer slowness of the flight wouldn't result in a crash.

We started gliding higher and higher up to the heavens until we reached our maximum altitude of 3,000 feet. It was so serene and peaceful out there that I almost did not want to go back to land. There was a hushed silence among us as we took in the otherworldly landscapes around us. The only sound was coming from the slow hiss of the balloon expanding from the heat.

From this height, the towering cliffs and pointed rocks gave way to awe-inspiring views of the rugged, undulating countryside. The tallest point was Ageas Mountain, looming over the horizon as the sun tickled its peak in different shades of pink.

The azure skies were dotted with almost 200 hot air balloons carrying passengers who most probably were all breathtakingly blown away by the experience. There were massive gaps and cracks on the ground that hid the fairy chimneys from ground-level views - which was a plus in ancient times as they were used to hide people from enemy attacks and persecutions.

Huge and complicated underground city systems also lurk in these natural hiding places: one of them was only "discovered" in this century because it was so well-hidden. Who knows how many more of these underground cities and fairy chimneys are out there!

The photos don't really do justice to the magnificence of this place. When in Cappadocia, it's a must to ride a hot air balloon - you might be poorer monetarily as the flights don't come cheap, but you'll be richer in experience. Trust me, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see insanely out-of-this-world landscapes!

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Even though I didn't want to leave this experience behind, I guess the champagne waiting for us on the ground was enough of an incentive for me to get off the wicker basket! :) I mean, alcohol at 8 in the morning? Yes, please!

Honestly, I was still reeling from the #lifechanging experience that I was still getting my bearings even after the drinks were completed and the flight certificates were handed out. I was in a happy daze ... and for a moment there, I forgot I was actually still on Earth. :-)

Image by Urgup Balloons

HAPPY TRAVELS! x

#Turkey