The Balloons of Cappadocia

Admittedly I have some catching up to do on this blog so this is a bit out of order.  May 1st, I got a message from my guide that the balloons would be flying that day over Cappadocia.  They have been grounded for the past several days due to the breezy weather conditions.  Ata told me that the balloon tours here are heavily regulated and are managed under the auspices of Turkish Airlines.  The operators are highly trained and the times the balloons can fly are controlled by the government.  Also, because there are as many as 200 balloons that could be in the air, their take-offs are staggered into two time slots.  That morning, the balloons were put "on hold" due to the weather conditions then finally about 6:30, they were given the go ahead.  All of a sudden everywhere you looked across the valley, you could see the helium balloons being inflated.  It was quite a sight.  However, it wasn't as impressive as it might have been because the sun was well up.  That being said, it was really magical to see them.








The following day, Tuesday, I was due to leave Cappadoccia but Ata suggested we get up early to see the sunrise.  So, we met at 5 am and went back to the same viewing point as we had been the previous morning.  What a difference a day makes!  This time it was still fairly dark and all over the valley you could see the balloons being prepared.  The flames that heat the helium also light up the balloons.  It was breathtaking to see it.  













Comments

  1. Bev2 May 2023 at 22:38

    Great to read about your adventures, despite the long trip to get there, and jetlag. Dud you go up in a balloon too? I am looking forward to more!

    ReplyDelete

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