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  >  Asia   >  Magically Afloat above Cappadocia’s Fairy Chimneys

In my mind, there are few experiences that defy common sense as much as a hot air balloon ride. Especially if, like me, you harbour a healthy fear of heights. The very notion of a giant vinyl envelope filled with heated ozone remaining hanging high in the sky, without the help of engines or wings, is full of so much hot air. Ahem.

If you are going to put your life at risk though, the magical landscapes of Cappodocia, Turkey might be reason enough. Because you might actually start believing in fairytales once you’re floating high above a terrain so improbable, it could only be found in the Brothers Grimm.

Dotted with lanky mushroom-like rock formations called fairy chimneys, that could’ve been pulled straight out of a Salvador Dali painting, networks of underground cities far below the surface of the earth and curvy cliff faces sculpted from the remnants of volcanic eruptions, the Anatolian plateau far below is nothing less than surreal.

As we sailed weightlessly into the blue, accompanied by the light of dawn and the strangely stirring sight of hundreds of other colourful bulbs floating effortlessly into the sky along with us, my fear of heights was lost. Suspended between wonder at the enchanted environment all around us, and the base desire to be grounded safely on solid earth.

Would you take a hot air balloon ride? Where’s your dream place to risk your life doing it?

Comments:

  • March 30, 2017

    Beautiful clicks taken from Hot air balloon

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  • February 4, 2017

    So beautiful and graceful. Maybe one day I’ll have the guts to get in one of those things!

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    • February 5, 2017

      I’m afraid of heights myself, but somehow this wasn’t scary at all. Definitely get yourself into one somewhere! 🙂

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  • January 3, 2017

    Cappadocia has always been on our bucket list! looks so magical!

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    • January 4, 2017

      It IS magical. A completely unique landscape and incredibly peaceful to visit as well. I hope you make it there one day soon! 🙂

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  • November 28, 2016

    Lot of sighing! We were supposed to explore Turkey, this April! Guess where we landed instead? haha! I’m going to virtually visit the world through your blog, Shelley!

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    • November 29, 2016

      Lol…I can’t even imagine. 😉 But if I know you, you’ll get to Turkey one day. Lots of great experiences there, but must admit, I didn’t enjoy the food too much…aside from the Turkish delight and baklava!!

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  • November 24, 2016

    Wow, I’d love to do that someday! 🙂

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  • November 23, 2016

    I did not have a strong yen to go up in the air crammed into a basket and covered with some fabric lifted up by a flame either (haha), but I did it right there in Cappadocia, too. And it was worth it, even thought it was sooooo cold (we went in January!). When were you there?

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    • November 23, 2016

      Right?! Like could there be anything MORE against logic. Yet somehow we still do it. Lol…thank goodness it’s worth it, and also, that we both made it safely onto the ground alive. But January! Brrr!!! We were there in June/July and it was still a wee bit chilly once we were in the air.

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  • November 23, 2016

    That looks so airy and lovely! I have never been in a hot air balloon:)

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    • November 23, 2016

      You really feel like you’re just floating along through the air…it is a really lovely feeling. Definitely recommend trying it out, even if you are afraid of heights, like I am.

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      • November 24, 2016

        I am not particularly fond of heights, but I think it would be worth it:)

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  • November 23, 2016

    Stunning captures!

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  • November 22, 2016

    We did the same thing in Cappadocia! There’s nothing like it. Magical indeed.
    Alison

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    • November 23, 2016

      It was wonderful, wasn’t it? I think it must be one of the best landscapes in the world to do a hot air balloon ride over! 🙂

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  • November 22, 2016

    Oh wow. That photo of all those air balloons floating above the mountains is indeed magical.

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    • November 23, 2016

      Being just one amongst a whole flotilla of balloons taking off at the same time made the experience more magical somehow. It was really lovely seeing them rising up into the early morning light all around us.

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  • November 22, 2016

    What a view of Anatolian plateau from the top! It looks so vast and enormous and never ending rock below. I am afraid of heights big time, but a hot air balloon ride is something I’ve always wanted to do, and hope to have a go at sometime in the future. From what you described, it is almost like sailing through the air, like a magic carpet – basket – ride 😀 Was it cold up there in the balloon? Looks like you and co were wearing jackets and long sleeves…

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    • November 23, 2016

      You know you’re right…it does feel like a magic carpet ride! And even though I am also afraid of heights, I felt no fear once we were actually in the air, because the ride is so smooth and relaxing. You really feel like you’re just floating along. You just happen to be high up in the air. We were there in June/July so it was really nice up there…a little chilly because it was very early in the morning.

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  • November 22, 2016

    It is so beautiful and feels like in a wonderland!

    Another place worth trying the hot air balloons is in Bagan, Burma.

    But for me, I still do not have the courage or the budget to ride on one. So, maybe I will just ride on the tethered one. There is one in Putrajaya, Malaysia 😀

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    • November 23, 2016

      Bagan is someplace we haven’t made it too yet, but it’s definitely on the list. And from pics I’ve seen, it does seem like a magical place to hot air balloon. I was also afraid before we took off, but once you are afloat, you forget about the height somehow. It’s so relaxing in a way. How high in the air does the one in Putrajaya go?

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      • November 23, 2016

        I think it would be just around 500ft from the ground. But saw in some blogs, the view is quite awesome. You can Google Skyrides Festival Park. 🙂

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        • November 24, 2016

          Woah!! 500 ft is significant. Definitely enough height to install some fear into those height phobic people among us. 😉

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          • November 24, 2016

            Haha really?? Well since I have never been on one I could not imagine how high 500ft is. 😀

            Maybe I will try soon and put up an update in my blog 🙂

  • November 22, 2016

    Ah, this is one of my bucket list activities <3 Looks magical! Hot air balloons are fascinating aren't they..

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    • November 23, 2016

      Fascinating and scary at the same time. Guess we just have to trust the “science,” right? 🙂

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