The freshness of the morning bit my cheeks, I wore a fleece jacket over my body, the sky was painted with shades of oranges, pinks and purples.
Cappadocia, the heart of Turkey, was stirring awake, and I was about to embark on an adventure that would forever etch itself into my memory: some sort of a hot air balloon ride over this alien-like terrain.
Whenever I am going for a trip, I make sure to book meet and greet at Stansted and treat myself to an unmatched level of luxury.
As we rocked back and forth in our wicker basket during the rising sun, fairy chimneys which are basically hoodoos built by wind and erosion for thousands of years looked like magical structures.
Family and children took to clapping as the balloon started to inflate with a low rumble, the great, technicolour balloon now stretched overhead like some fairytale palace. With one last burst of fire from the burner, we took off, the ground getting smaller as we rose in the just beginning to break dawn.
Later as the light intensified and managed to set the huge shadows in the low altitudinal valleys, we sailed over the system of cave-aged shelters. Early societies found a perfect theater in Cappadocia’s geography and these niches cut into the soft rock were used as living spaces, places of worship and stable for cattle. Standing on top of these ruins of that old civilization I felt a deep connection with the past.
There were occasional spurts from the burner during our one hour flight which seemed to give the basket a little shake. But mostly, the feeling was calmness, the quiet with the occasional hiss of the wind accompanying it.
The crew was composed of several highly experienced balloon pilots who expertly steered us through the currents making the experience smooth and absolutely unforgettable.
Just as the captain was bringing the plane in for a landing, the view outside became distinguishable again. Wine Resources overlaid the land in greens like green carpets with areas of vineyard towns.
The dogs barked in the distance, a shepherd was driving his sheep in a field, and the few threads of smoke rising from the chimneys, which confirmed that this land was coming to life.
We made a very soft landing and the ground crews welcomed us with clapping. When getting down from the plane, I felt a great rush of excitement.
This was more than just a touristic tour, sitting in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia – it was an experience of a lifetime witnessing the wonders of nature and history at the same time. It was, of course, the time one could not experience again and again.
Just like me, don’t forget to check airport parking deals before travelling and book a suitable deal according to your desires.
Advice to Follow When Choosing Your Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia
● The best time to book your flight is early in advance especially during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
● It is preferred to select a company that has less accidents with its employees or has a good safety record.
● Sometimes it can be quite cold in the morning, so dress in warm layers of clothing.
● Comfortable shoes and shoes appropriate for hiking are recommended.
● Take a camera with a zoom lens in order to take a beautiful view.
● But above all, enjoy the experience, leisure and have fun to make good memories to look back to.
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