the viewing deck: Cappadocia 1st part; Hot Air Balloon above Turkey

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Cappadocia 1st part; Hot Air Balloon above Turkey

4-days Turkey Summer Solo Escapade
June 27 to July 03, 2014

Pamukkale last part; Side trip to Aphrodisias Ruins

How to go to Cappadocia;
I went here from Pamukkale flight to Istanbul to Kayseri as there there was no cheapest direct flight and ideal arrival timings on bus road trip. I aimed my 1st balloon flight adventure on daily schedule of 0400H via walk-in query only in Mislina travels in Pamukkale, booked together with airport transfer. Cheapest standard balloon flight costs 270TRY($128.6=PHP5,600). I arrived in Kayseri airport at 0130H then went out and saw immediately a man waving my name on a piece of paper. Airport transfer to Cappadocia costs 30TRY($14.3) for an hour minibus travel. I arrived in Urgup Balloons Office (Mislina travels booked me on this) at 0400H. I have my early free breakfast (unlimited tea and bread) while waiting for other tourists to arrive. Obviously, I didn't have sleep, the usual itinerary challenge on me on a very limited stay. Despite of that, it did not affect my excitement on what's waiting for me in the next few minutes.

I availed the cheapest tour, they called as the standard flight. They are going to pick you up from your hotel early in the morning by their vehicles in Göreme. They will offer you some coffee, tea and snack foods. Then they will let us watch preparing balloons at the take-off area. Preparations normally takes 15-20 minutes, flights beginning with the sunrise. Pilots climb until 3000 feets from ground level to show you the beauty of Cappadocia. Also they can fly 1 meter close to the rocks as well to takes nice pictures and for fun. Standard Flight takes 60 minutes and they are using 16-20-26 persons basket. There will be champagne celebration at the end of the flight. They will offer Flight Certificate signed by the pilot (with no additional fee) to remind this experience to you. Afterwards, they will drop us back to our hotels.