Göreme – Hot-Air Ballooning Mecca of Cappadocia

Saturday, 27 December 2014 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

Göreme – It was well before sunrise when a noise drifting in from outside one we couldn't immediately identify roused us from our sleep. A compressor? At this hour? Then a second source of noise started up, followed by a third... Clearly, they were blowers and gas burners.

We were at the window in a flash, and dressed just as quickly, for hot-air balloons were being laid out on the ground and readied for launch in close proximity all around us.

The preparations had proceeded almost silently; now, minibuses were ferrying the passengers, who were swiftly distributed among the balloon baskets. Everything moved quickly and smoothly, and soon the first balloons were lifting off. Where to look first? What to photograph first?

One moment there was a hive of activity on the ground a scene that must have been mirrored in the neighbouring valleys and the next, eleven balloons were already airborne, rising from the open space right in front of us.

The sun emerged only gradually, as seen in the background of the photo. The first balloons had already reached the sun's warming rays. It was only then that the biting cold truly made itself felt, despite the lack of wind.

A straggler? No, this balloon was ascending slowly by design, allowing its passengers to view the first "fairy chimneys" from above while still close by.

We could almost touch the balloon's basket; it was rising so close to us and at such a leisurely pace. Then came a fresh burst of gas, and the balloon immediately shot upward...

...and drifted right over us. A magnificent spectacle in the early morning.

In the neighbouring valley, another balloon descended slowly at first before finally climbing to altitude. One could hear the pilot explaining the reasons behind the ascent and descent. The sun rises higher, and more and more balloons appear in the blue sky. The route leads down through the tufa rock formations into the Göreme Valley. From our vantage point, the mosque is still just visible.

The spectacle unfolding here in the early morning is simply colossal fascinating, almost silent, yet brilliantly colourful.

We stop counting once the number of balloons exceeds 90, as it is no longer possible to keep an accurate tally.

Another balloon from Ürgüp which we watch through the lens...

...as it drifts over tufa houses that are still inhabited. By now, other spectators have gathered in Göreme to witness this impressive spectacle. Barely discernible, they stand amidst the tufa rock formations...