99 Hot Air Balloons

I was dead asleep when I heard someone's alarm go off two beds over, here in our cave dorm in Göreme (Cappadocia). Half awake, I sat straight up, "Matt! It's 4:12!!! It's 4:12!!!l" Thankfully almost the entire dorm room was already awake, getting ready for their own balloon rides.

Today was the day! For the first time, we booked something in advance, so we had been counting down the days until our infamous hot air balloon ride over the Göreme Open Air Museum. From what we heard down the grapevine, it was to be a life changing event.

We were running late. I scrambled down the bunk ladder, making all sorts of racket in the darkness - there really is no light when you sleep inside of a cave. We tried to get ready as quickly (and quietly) as possible, but our efforts were interrupted by the voice of the bus driver. "Sultan Balloons! Let's go!"

I have to admit, I was pretty grumpy. This "life changing event" was not off to a good start. We were half dressed, half awake, and had some stanky breathe when we hobbled to the bus. What I didn't realize was that Matt, in a moment of sheer genius, swiftly grabbed the toothpaste out of his bag on his way out. Gosh, I love this man. :) After some spastic finger brushing, followed by a sugary breakfast crisp, we were physically and mentally ready to begin our mystical journey of weightlessness.

Captain Carlos, in his Portuguese accent, happily greeted everyone in their respective languages, and explained the rules of the basket. Within minutes, the ground disappeared below our feet. We watched as the still grounded balloons became glowing orbs, flickering like a string of Christmas lights stretched across the valley.

It was an incredible feeling - the warmth from the flame above, the chill of the crisp air, the subtle breeze, the pink and orange light spreading across the horizon, and pure silence, as we simply floated away. It was euphoric. We both looked at each other with goofy grins, and kept repeating how "aaaaamazing" this was.

This outer body experience lasted throughout the flight, so I'm not sure if there's a whole lot more I can describe, since the feeling overtook all of my senses. All I know is that I was surrounded by 99 balloons at all altitudes and had the love of my life with me to witness it together.

After we landed, and collected ourselves, we couldn't help compare the peacefulness to our times on the water with 'The Flying Pumpkin' - the ebb and flo of the currents. You have to respect and understand the wind, in order to navigate properly. And our Captain Carlos was a master of his craft - a true sailor.

At the risk of sounding dramatic (too late), I have to say this will be a day that will forever remain engrained in our minds. 

LOGISTICAL STUFF:

• Sultan Balloons | http://www.sultanballoons.com 
• E: info@sultanballoons.com | M: +90 533 239 37 88 | O: +90 384 353 52 49
• Booked via Travel Agent in Fethiye (Omer Sherif at Yildirim Pension)

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