That’s a – Turkey – wrap!

From Fethiye we made our way to Cappadocia on a night bus. This in its self was a new experience for the kids, I think it’s better going into an experience like this blind. That might be our last night bus or at least the last one without a fight.

In the dark of the morning we were dropped off at the bus station in the center of Goreme, the epicenter of Cappadocia. With minimal sleep and creaky bodies we strapped on our backpacks and headed to our hotel. Not surprising, the reception wasn’t open at o’dark hundred but their roof top deck was calling our names. What happened next was as close to magic as I have encountered. We trudged up the steps to the deck to the sight of a single silent hot air balloon rise above the the valley floor. Then four, then ten, then at least fifty in the air above us. “Oh look at that one …” “Oh, sweet, look guys..” “Do you see that!?” The only sounds besides our shrieks, coming from the igniters powering these massive floating creatures and the chatter of the guests aboard. We watched in awe.

We spent the next five days exploring Cappadocia and all its nooks and crannies but did not see another balloon take flight. It was mostly pleasant weather, but we learned that the winds and skies have to be just right for these birds to fly. Even on our last day there was a buzz in town that the balloons were scheduled to launch after 4 days of being grounded, so we woke the kids up in the dark to watch from a popular sunrise spot. The baskets below sat empty and the tourist buses nearby sat full of sleepy travelers, as the fog kept filling the valley and then receding, at some point they called it off, no balloons today.

If nothing else during our travels we have learned to diversify. Cappadocia has become the home of hot air balloons but its true beauty lies in it’s rich history and landscapes below. The area is quite unique, with its volcanic rock formations, called “fairy chimneys” and endless cave dwellings woven into the valleys and canyons. The landscape is a cross between the Badlands of South Dakota, Bungle Bungle of Western Australia, and the moon. The Cappadocia underground cities were built by early Christians during the Byzantine era who were persecuted for their faith. The city’s inhabitants used the network of caves to protect themselves from Muslim-Arabs during the Arab-Byzantine Wars between 780 and 1180 (thank you google).

After a week of exploring we packed up in route to Istanbul and although there is a 12-hour night bus from Cappadocia to Istanbul the family decided to pony up the extra cash and take the 1 hour and fifteen minute flight.

A late arrival and shuttle bus to Taksim Square welcomed us to Istanbul. It was late, it was raining and people were tired, but the surrounding, the roasted chestnuts, watermelon, and grilled corn-on-the-cobb caught our attention. We went to bed that first night knowing there was lots of experience. And we did our best in the short visit we had. Visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, taking a water taxi over to Kadikoy (the asian side), and most enjoyably walking the twisted, hilly sides streets of Cukurcuma, Kabatas, and Taksim. The streets were bursting with flavor, energy, and endless history. The people were open and friendly and with the conveniences of a competent metro system and new airport, Istanbul quickly made the list of “places to we need to revisit”. It will be a good jumping off point for our next tour of Turkey – maybe in a van, with a tent, and for a much longer time.