The one with… the 4.30am gamble that paid off in the sky, pigeons and dancing with a strange man!
Summary
An early start filled with nerves turned into pure magic as the balloons flew, and what followed was one of those once-in-a-lifetime mornings you wish you could bottle.
The rest of the day brought walks, caves, pigeons (of course), laughter, tired legs… and a group that felt more like a little family by the end.
The Long Winded Version
⏰ 4.30am – The nervous wait
I was wide awake and, if I’m honest, a bit worried about today.
I spoke with the hotel yesterday and was told the balloons had not flown for the last three days because of the weather. Then the waiter at the restaurant last night said there was only a 50/50 chance of flying.
As I arrived at reception, we waited for the driver. The receptionist said we wouldn’t find out if the balloons were flying until we got to the start point.
I felt a bit sick in my stomach.
I kept it to myself though. Leader mode on. Smile… breathe… hope for the best.
🎈 Fast, fast, FAST!
Nine sleepy humans climbed into the minibus. There was a quiet tension in the air. No one quite said it out loud, but we were all thinking the same thing.
Please let us fly today.
We arrived while it was still dark and then suddenly…
“FAST FAST FAST!”
It was chaos, but the best kind of chaos. A proper adrenaline rush.
Then I saw it. One balloon. Then another. Then dozens.
All inflated. All ready.
Sam and I absolutely lost it. Proper squealing, jumping up and down like we’d just won the lottery. Because in that moment… it felt like we had.
We scrambled into the basket — no elegant boarding here — and before I even had time to process it…
We were in the air.
🌅 That moment
There’s something about Cappadocia at sunrise that doesn’t quite feel real.
As the light slowly crept over the horizon, the landscape began to glow. Soft gold, warm amber, dusty pink. The rock formations looked like something from another planet. Valleys stretched out beneath us, carved and sculpted over thousands of years.
And then… the balloons.
Hundreds of them. Floating silently. Gently rising. Drifting through the sky like slow-moving lanterns. Some close enough to wave to. Others scattered across the distance like confetti in the sky.
We glided through a gorge, so close at times it felt like we could reach out and touch the rock. The precision was unbelievable.
At one point, we drifted past a tree… and there it was… a woodpecker, perfectly still, as if it was part of the show.
Annette, of course, spotted it first!
And me?
Completely still. Peaceful. Present. Calm and totally in the moment.
No noise. No rush. No thinking about what was next. Just… being.
🧠 The brain gremlins return
As we began to descend, my brain piped up again.
“They didn’t give a safety briefing…”
Last year’s rather “interesting” landing flashed into my mind — safety positions in the basket, a rock field, tilted basket, mild chaos… you get the picture.
But this time? Completely different.
We gently floated down towards the truck. A man casually moved a couple of branches out of the way and Annette delivered the line of the day:
“No trees were damaged during the making of this balloon flight.”
And then… we landed.
On the truck!
Not even a bump. Brilliant!
🥂 Celebrations in the sky and on land
Sunrise. Smiles. Sparkling grape juice. Certificates. Photos with that golden Cappadocia glow behind us.
On the bus back, the energy was completely different. Loud. Happy. Buzzing.
And I just sat there, quietly taking it all in… feeling incredibly grateful. Not just for the experience, but for this group, this moment, and the fact that I get to be part of it all.
☕ Breakfast with balloons
Back at the hotel, we had a little time to pause.
Breakfast on the terrace, watching more balloons drift across the sky while swallows swooped and swirled overhead.
And yes… I’m calling it a murmuration, even if it’s not technically correct!
Then we had to move. Too much energy. Too much excitement to sit still.
A gentle wander towards Love Valley followed. Sunshine, photo stops, and that lovely post-adventure glow where everything just feels good.
🏛️ Derinkuyu Underground City
Next stop: underground.
Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the deepest underground cities in Cappadocia, stretching around 60–80 metres below ground. It was carved out centuries ago and used as a place of refuge, complete with tunnels, storage rooms, ventilation shafts and living quarters for thousands of people.
It’s incredible.
But it’s also tight. Narrow. Steep. And at times, you’re crouching your way through tunnels wondering how on earth people lived down there.
For some of the group, it was a step too far, and fair play to them for giving it a go. Sometimes knowing your limit is just as important as pushing it.
Emerging back into daylight felt like a proper win.
And naturally… coffee and lunch were required.
🐦 Pigeon Valley
Now… our guide was very enthusiastic about Pigeon Valley.
But if you’re from the UK, and you’ve been awake since 4.30am, a valley full of pigeons and stories about pigeon poo isn’t quite the highlight of the day.
We smiled. We nodded. We appreciated the effort.
But internally, I think we were all thinking the same thing:
Enough talk about pigeons please. We need to go back to bed!
🍽️ The last supper
Walking to the restaurant in the evening, we recognised a man standing in the road, arms wide open.
“IT’S MIRAÇ!” shouted Sam.
We legged it down the hill, arms ready for a big reunion hug…
And then realised…
It was absolutely not Miraç.
The poor man must have thought we’d completely lost the plot.
Dinner was on the rooftop, with blankets wrapped around us, a “sort of” sunset, and the call to prayer ringing out loudly across the valley.
The food was great.
Energy levels… not so much.
By 10pm, my brain had officially clocked off. I ordered the bill, ready for bed… only to be met with the look.
“Julia… some of us want dessert.”
Oh. Right.
So… pistachio pie, ice cream, poached pears in red wine, and something called cotton candy, which is basically sugar on steroids.
🌹 Roses and thorns
Unsurprisingly, the balloon flight dominated the roses.
And the thorns?
Well… one of the group took a direct hit from a pigeon.
💃 Dancing in the street
Back up the hill… and there was a man in the road again.
This time, Sam didn’t hesitate. She danced with him in the middle of the street.
Perhaps alcohol was involved, but mostly it was pure joy and slightly bonkers happiness.
What a perfect way to end the day.
Final Thoughts
Trips like this are never just about the places.
Yes, the landscapes are stunning. Yes, the experiences are unforgettable. But what really stays with you is the people.
This group — a mix of personalities, backgrounds and stories — came together in such a natural, easy way. There were fears faced, comfort zones stretched, and one very special birthday that I know will never be forgotten.
There was laughter, support, kindness… and those little in-between moments that you can’t plan, but end up meaning the most.
That’s the magic.
Not just what we did… but how we shared it.
Memories for life.
Thanks so much for following along with the blog. It’s been a joy to share it with you.
Next up… The Peak Pilgrimage in the UK. And if this trip is anything to go by, we’re in for something pretty special.
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