Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia

I have heard countless times that the best place to experience a hot air balloon ride is in Cappadocia. And I have tried to ride twice before but because of the weather conditions, it was cancelled both times. But it was third time lucky for me because the day we were scheduled to go for the ride, the weather was perfect, calm and clear day.



We flew with Mike Green from Kappadokya Balloons, the pioneers who brought hot air ballooning to Cappadocia. It was an amazing feeling as we took off from the ground. As we were the first to fly, we could see more than twenty balloons on the ground, backdropped by the very scenic Goreme. Mike's an amazing pilot!! He is the best pilot in my opinion as he brought us to nook and corners.....he floated us intimately among the fairy chimneys, as close as touching one. There were oohs and ahhs from fellow passengers as we went along. If only I could describe the way I felt at that time!! Maybe the photos will......so enjoy folks :)

Ajeeen - Travelogue Turkey Cappadocia

Cappadocia - Goreme, Avanos, Urgup

The region known in ancient times as Cappadocia is the setting for some of nature's most bizarre wonders. It incorporates the provinces of Aksaray, Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri and Kirsehir. For most people, the name Cappadocia suggests the towns and vicinities of Uchisar, Goreme, Avanos, Urgup, Derinkuyu, Kaymakliand Ihlara, where in the course of millions of years, the land has been shaped into fantastic forms. Fairy chimneys that seem haunted and cities and houses of worhip that extend many meters deep into the earth are all enveloped in an atmosphere that is ethereal and unworldly.

The best way to describe Cappadocia to you is through the photos that I have taken.

Ajeeen - Turkey Travelogue Cappadocia

Food, food and more food

Smoked meat from Kayseri, broad beans, cracked wheat in tomato paste, iskender.......

chicken kebab, grilled tripe in bread, lahmacun, manti, kofte......the option is endless....

I enjoyed almost all the food I encountered in Turkey so far, be it cold dish, hot main course, grilled tripe or sweet sweet dessert......I love them all. The above are some mouth watering photographs of what I have devoured on this trip.....enjoy looking folks!

Ajeeen

Turkey - Travelogue Istanbul Adiyaman Sanliurfa Cappadocia Antalya

Cappadocia

We stayed in Aravan Evi Family Hotel Ayvali http://www.aravan.com/ , a small village about 20 minutes from Urgup central. It is a traditional Turkish village-style hotel and restaurant. It was built and hand-crafted with the natural stone of Cappadocia.

We immediately fell in love with Ayvali and Aravan Evi, quiet and peaceful....away from the hustle and bustle of town. The hotel is nice and rooms beautifully decorated. Even the bathroom was impressive, made of marble from top to bottom.

After a delightful breakfast, consist of cheese, olives, home-made strawberry and apricot jams, smoked meat, honey and bread....yes, yummmy....my sister and brother-in-law went on a day tour around Cappadocia while I planned on going to town. It was my 5th time in Cappadocia so I didn't feel like going on the tour again. Okan, the owner's son, told me that I could take a dolmus (shared taxi) to town. It cost me about 4YTL for the joyful ride with the other villagers. The dolmus was filled to the brim....grannies and grandads, mums and small kids...all looking forward to go to the bazaar, apparently held every saturday of the week in town. I was so looking forward to the shopping.

You could get everything that you need at the bazaar....from fruits to meat, from socks to undies, plants to tools....you name it and they've got it. I got some turkish scarves with embroideries at the sides for myself. And after walking around for about an hour and a half, enjoying the colours of the people of Cappadocia, I went to the shops along the bus terminal. I totally enjoyed myself looking at stuff....the shops were like treasure coves.....beautiful antique jewellery, hand-made carpets, hand-made silver earrings.....shopping haven.

After shopping, I went to a nice looking restaurant at the corner and had two lahmacun http://www.anatoliarestaurant.com/ and an ayran for lunch....so sedappp.

Ajeeen

Travelogue-Turkey Cappadocia