“The best way of travel, however, if you aren’t in any hurry at all, if you don’t care where you are going, if you don’t like to use your legs, if you don’t want to be annoyed at all by any choice of directions, is in a balloon. In a balloon, you can decide only when to start, and usually when to stop. The rest is left entirely to nature.”
To see Cappadocia from the ground is magical, but to see it from above is one of the most incredible experiences. The curvy rock flows like giant waves, as the sun warms the sky in a palette of pinks and oranges that cast playful shadows in the furrows of the rock below. The entire scene plays out as some other-worldly geological masterpiece that makes you feel like you are floating above an undiscovered planet. Cappadocia literally swept me up, up + away.
I once saw a photo of hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey (pronounced kap-ah-doe-KEE-ah) on one of those “100 places you must see before you die” lists. The sensuous landscape was so different than anything I’d ever seen, and I became set on visiting. The day itself started at the crack of dawn. I sluggishly pilled on the few layers I had and emerged from the cave we slept in (yup, a cave!) at Hezen Cave Hotel. When we arrived at Royal Ballon they told us it was supposed to be a perfect morning for hot air ballooning.
Each balloon rose into the sky silently, except for the occasional whoosh of flame. It was beautiful; all these bright round specks coloring the horizon. I’ve been skydiving a few times, and each time I felt like it’s the closest I’ll get to knowing what it feels like to fly. As we rose into the sky, slowly and seemingly weightlessly, it felt like the balloon was standing still. It was smooth, and quiet, there was no wild air, just calm. I could have stayed like that forever, rising and floating above the oddly shaped rocks in competition with the rising sun. The few people that initially looked like they might pass out now had awe in their eyes instead of panic. They seemed like they were feeling the same sense of contentment and peace as me. We were flying!
It all ended with mimosas, and who wouldn’t want to start the day with bubbly at 7:00 am?!
Thank you, Royal Balloons!
Love Love.
14 Comments
Christina
April 29, 2017 at 9:34 amThat looks absolutely stunning, and it’s something that most certainly at the top of my bucket list at the moment… I’m terrified of heights though, but I’m determined to do it haha! 🙂 Loved the photos!
Eleonore Everywhere
April 29, 2017 at 11:25 amI love heights but some of the other people in the balloon with us were terrified – but once we were up high it was so smooth and quiet that they all relaxed. I hope you can do it, it was so stunning! 🙂
Rhiannon
April 29, 2017 at 9:38 amI am definitely adding this to my bucket list. I’ve always wanted to go hot air ballooning, it looks incredible! I’m glad you had an amazing time 🙂
Eleonore Everywhere
April 29, 2017 at 11:25 amThanks, Rhiannon! You really should – it can be expensive but is so worth it! <3
Sara
April 29, 2017 at 12:16 pmI am so jealous. I have been wanting to go here for ages and just haven’t made it yet. My friend was just there last week and said it was unreal, even tho it was too windy for the balloons most days.
Eleonore Everywhere
April 30, 2017 at 10:00 amWe were REALLY lucky with the weather. I have heard that many times they don’t take off if there is even the slightest bit of wind. I guess that’s something to take into account, as it isn’t a cheap activity. But if you can go it’s incredibly beautiful!
Xx
Telma | Blank Canvas Voyage
April 29, 2017 at 1:35 pmEleonore!
This is awesome! When did you visit? I wonder if there is anything else to do apart from the hot air ballon?
Telma @ Blank Canvas Voyage
Eleonore Everywhere
April 30, 2017 at 10:03 amHi Telma! I was there in early June before it gets too hot. There is a lot more to do, and if you go I’d suggest spending 2-3 days there – perhaps I should do a post on the different activities in the area! You would need a way of getting around – i.e. a car or a guide. Some other spots I loved were the Goreme Open Air Museum, Monks valley, and I spent an afternoon at a pottery studio. But I know you can also do things like horseback riding, hiking, etc.
Xx Eleonore
Nicole
April 29, 2017 at 2:02 pmThis place looks amazing, Eleonore. I hope to check out Cappadocia one day 🙂
Eleonore Everywhere
April 30, 2017 at 10:03 amHi Nicole, I hope you can too! 🙂
Xx Eleonore
Lisa - The Wandering Lens
April 29, 2017 at 5:58 pmOh my goodness, this looks magical! It’s actually one of the first times I’ve seen a collection of images from the hot air balloons at Cappadocia, usually you just see that one Instagrammy spot…thanks for sharing the full experience!
Eleonore Everywhere
April 30, 2017 at 10:05 amI don’t even know that one instagrammy spot – haha! I have been seeing Cappadocia all over social media lately though, so I’m sure i’ve seen. Cappadocia is a really magical experience, particularly from above.
Xx Eleonore
C-Ludik
April 30, 2017 at 2:13 pmWow, that looks absolutely stunning 🙂 Definitively an activity not to be missed ! The different colours of the diversified landscape leaves you breathless. It’s magical: you are hypnotised by the spectacular and surreal landscape that lies below you !!
Eleonore Everywhere
April 30, 2017 at 5:56 pmIt definitely was stunning! 🙂
Xx Eleonore