The one with the cancelled balloon ride, otherworldly landscapes, and tunnels beneath the earth.
⏰ The alarm rang out at 4:30 am, and my heart skipped a beat. Today was supposed to be the moment, the hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s surreal desert landscape, rising with the sun. Clothes were ready, teeth brushed in sleepy anticipation, excitement fizzing quietly in the early morning stillness.
But by 5:10 am, a message came through: “Grounded. Bad weather.”
Disappointment hit like a thud. The pyjamas went back on. Duvets reclaimed. Dreams of floating above fairy chimneys would have to wait.
☕ But this group? They’re made of grit, resilience, and good humour. By 8:30 am, gathered over a long and leisurely Turkish breakfast, the atmosphere had lifted. Platters of bread, olives, cheeses, and warm pastries we shared phrases like “You can’t control the weather,” and “It is what it is.” So I did what I do best, grabbed a map, smiled, and said:
“Right then — meet in reception at 9:30 am. We’re going on an adventure!”
🥾 With boots laced and snacks packed, we set off toward Love Valley, and it did not disappoint. The landscape rolled out in waves of soft clay and ancient stone. Towering fairy chimneys reached into the brightening sky, nature’s sculptures, shaped by time and weather into something almost mystical. We climbed steep inclines, slid down chalky paths, and wound our way through scenery that felt straight out of a dream. Just hours earlier, it had been snowing… now the skies were wide open, blue and warm with sunshine. Cappadocia, ever the shapeshifter.
🚿 After a well-earned freshen-up, we joined our brilliant guide for something truly unforgettable, a descent into the underground city of Kaymaklı.
This place is staggering. Eight levels of hand-carved tunnels and chambers, once a refuge for early Christians, dating back to the 8th century BC. Winding corridors, stone ventilation shafts, and ancient kitchens all hidden beneath the surface. As someone who’s 5’2”, I navigated the space with ease — the taller members of the group were definitely ducking a lot more than I was!
🌇 As the day began to soften, we gathered on the rooftop just in time for golden hour. The sunset spread like honey across the sky, and laughter bubbled over a hilariously intense game of Spoons (yes, Soup is still the reigning champ 🥄). Dinner was served in a beautiful echoing dome, where every word whispered seemed to carry, reminding me of the acoustics in St Paul’s Whispering Gallery.
🌹 We closed the evening with our traditional “roses and thorns” reflection. And you know what stood out?
Not one person mentioned the cancelled balloon ride.
Instead, we shared stories of fairy chimneys, tunnel giggles, and the joy of unexpected moments. There was nothing but gratitude for this place, for each other, and for a day that turned out to be exactly what we needed.
🎈There’s still hope the balloons might fly tomorrow… but if they do, it’ll simply be the cherry on top of a week already overflowing with magic.
✍️ Thanks for following our journey. One more day to go — and you never know what it might bring.