Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia

The bus from Royal Balloon Company picked us up at our hotel at 4:30 am and took us to their building for a simple breakfast.  By 5:15 we were back on the bus and heading to the balloon launch site.  The crew was filling up the balloon with air and before we knew it, we were all being, literally, tossed in the balloon by the crew.  The captain was in the middle area with all his gadgets and pulleys, and then there were four compartments on each side that four people were each stuffed into.  It meant that we all had a “window” seat.

Our captain, named Fleming, was from Sweden and has been flying balloons for 30 years, and we all felt safe in his control very quickly.  The tipping and rocking just before take-off was a little disconcerting for some of our riders, but soon we were lifted off in the air and breathlessness ensued.  Our group was uncharacteristically silent as we soared up, over, and then down and around the fairy chimneys and rock formations of Cappadocia.

Words cannot describe the thrill of the ride and the sunrise experience of flying over one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the world.

The landing involved a big bump and a tip to the side, but then the land crew came out of nowhere and we were safe, secure, and soon after lifted out of the basket and enjoying a glass of celebratory champagne.  We also received a medal of accomplishment as well.  J

Riding in a hot-air balloon has been on my bucket list for a long time but I never imagined that the experience of a lifetime would happen in the best balloon riding place on the earth!

What we saw when we reachd the balloon launch site.

Up in the air!  Susan and Beth enjoying the ride.

Um, yes.  I got to see this in person from the air.  Amazing.

This is Ada Bear.  She has been traveling with us the entire trip.  Ada Bear is a great traveler and is having some amazing experiences that we think should be written into children's books for sure!  This one will be titled "Ada Bear Goes Hot Air Balloon Riding in Cappadocia, Turkey!"

This is Fleming, our captain, and his pulleys and gear.

Proof that I was up there!

Can you tell that we were a little tired???

Looking over the side.

Obviously hot air balloon riding is the thing to do in Cappadocia.  It really added to the beauty of the landscape in fact.

A landed and deflated balloon.

Our land crew making us secure and stable.

The land crew, Jeremy, and Ada Bear.

Our champange treat.

Jutit, myself, Melissa, and Fleming

What a sense of accomplishment!