Preparing for Takeoff

It's quite fun to watch these balloons prepare for flight. It takes a lot of man power to set everything up, while only one man flies the balloon. Two industrial fans are used to pump air into the pocket which takes quite a while. I thought it would be quite an elegant process entering the basket (maybe using a ladder or something like that), but actually you lie on you side while the basket is sideways, and wait for the balloon to lift the basket up. Quite a novel experience!

Preparing a hot air balloon for take off

Floating Cappadocia

Almost three years after our honeymoon in Turkey I've finally put together some of the video footage of one of the highlights of our trip. Hopefully this short clip will give you a glimpse of how spectacular a hot air ballon ride in Cappadocia really is; ascending high into the clouds with a bird's-eye view, and then dropping right down into the beautiful volcanic rock formations below. This is undoubtably one of the best experiences of my life, and something I hope to do once again.

I hope you enjoy watching it!

Floating in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a wonderland for adventure! It has so much exciting stuff going on. But watching hundreds of these hot air balloons gently floating over its lunar landscape is most certainly one of the best parts of this beautiful part of the world. 

Early in the morning, even before the sun has started to rise these balloons prepare themselves for the masses of tourists that flock to this area throughout the year. From a distance they look like light bulbs flickering on and off as the boosters slowly fill them with hot air. Then, just as the sun starts to peak above the horizon they start rising, one by one, until the sky is filled with these floating vehicles. Going up and down, they drift along peculiar landscapes eroded over millions of years by the elements. 

For about two hours the wind guides them as the pilot communicates with its ground team who, track its whereabouts. Then, as gently as they ascended into the sky, these giants slowly return to earth, kilometres away from where the started. 

The whole process is so glamorous and seemingly effortless, like watching a ballet in the sky!

Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia

Weekly Photo: Hot Air Balloons at Sunrise

Hot Air Balloons at Sunrise

I took this photo in 2012 on my honeymoon in Turkey. If you ever visit this beautiful country you have to make a stop in Cappadocia. While a balloon ride will add a couple more bucks to your trip, it is something you will remember for the rest of your life. If you decide not to do the ride, a trip to this area of Turkey is still worth the priceless views and unique landscapes you get to see.

Cats of Turkey

Whether it's in the iconic monuments of Istanbul, the ruins of Ephesus, or the markets of Cappadocia, one thing you're sure to find in Turkey are cats. Everywhere you go there are cats wondering the streets of Turkish cities. These cats, while stray, are always fed by the local communities.

Cats are tolerated by Muslim communities, and it is thought that a cat chased away a poisonous snake  in defending the Prophet Muhammad.