Cappadocia: Hot Air Balloon Style

Our second morning in Cappadocia we woke up at 4:30am so we could catch our pickup at 4:55 for a hot air balloon ride. These are very popular in Cappadocia because of the awesome landscape. It is a little pricey, but worth it. There probably isn't too much too say in this post, I just like the pictures.

We arrived and balloons were already starting to take off. Many balloons were preparing to take their passengers for the day.

This is our balloon. They are filling it with hot air so it will get our basket upright.

FIRED UP!

And up in the air we go. This was my first time in an air balloon. I'm usually not a heights person, but I knew I couldn't pass this up.

There were literally close to a hundred or more balloons up in the sky. This happens almost everyday during their high season. They probably make a fortune.

If you only go on a hot air balloon once in your life, it has to be in Cappadocia. The landscape and fairy chimneys make for some incredible shots!

Surprsingly it is pretty calm up there. I thought I would be nervous (although once we hit 1300 meters you start to imagine what it would be like to fall). Our basket had 15-20 people I think. Much bigger than I thought.

There is Uchisar! We were standing on top of that mountain just the day before.

Balloons everywhere!

At one point we were going pretty low. I thought maybe he was trying to land us but he was just weaving in and out through the fairy chimneys showing off his mad pilot skills (our pilot's name was Nuri). We did scrape the ground once, but then we started going up again.

Chris was so afraid. I had to practically drag him onto the balloon. He was crying the whole time. Just kidding.

Some cool pics of the balloons over the fairy chimneys.

Sunrise over Cappadocia. Its best to go early in the morning because of the light over the landscape and the wind is the safest at this time. Usually there is only one balloon launch a day.

More balloons in front of Uchisar.

This is where we started to get really high.

If I remember correctly, that is mount Erciyes (I think, I might be wrong). It is because of these volcanoes that Cappadocia exists in its present awesome form. If that is Erciyes, it is the 5th tallest mountain in Turkey.

Yikes, this is where the visions of our basket disconnecting from the balloon starting entering my mind. This is somewhere between 1100-1300 meters up.

Here is a view of the city of Goreme where we stayed. Click on it to see more of the detail.

Again, Uchisar. I wish I could have spent a few more days here!

And finally, we finished. This is our pilot preparing our balloon to be put away. He actually managed to land our balloon right on the trailer! It was an awesome trip. We were in the air for an hour and five minutes.

Here is our pilot Nuri. Afterwards they have a champagne toast, but Chris and I don't drink. Luckily they brought juice! Probably for the little kids that do this. Chris and I are like children after all.

To Turkey!

I got a certificate after! It mostly signifies how great and brave I am. You can tell I am very humbled by this great honor.