Amazing travel stories from our KnowRoaming customers as they explore the globe and stay connected with the KnowRoaming SIM Sticker
Peter and Laura from Ontario, Canada, share a breathtaking hot air balloon ride down the Cappadocia region of central Turkey.
“Fear of falling is a pretty basic human response, but so is trying to get the best view you can. On our last trip to Turkey we had the chance visit Cappadocia, home to some of the greatest views, as well as the largest number of hot air balloons, in the world. Our desire to take in the famous landscape won out over our survival instincts, and one early autumn morning we took to the skies.
Up up and away
We arrive at the take-off point just before 6 AM. The darkness is lit by the many balloons heating up and before you can change your mind you’re helped into the basket with about 20 other passengers and of course, your pilot.
Other than some “oohs” and “aahs” from your fellow balloonists, and the sporadic sound of the gas burners, it is truly a soundless voyage. The winds are very light and change direction every 50 metres or so. It gives our pilot quite a measure of control as we criss-cross over the landscape in a sea of about 60 or 70 other balloons.
For an hour or so you just drift back and forth and up and down. Hard to tell for sure, we may have reached 300 meters, but most of the time we were between 100 and 200 meters above the ground. Filled with ridges and gullies and mountain outcrops, the height varied very quickly.
Roaming in the air
KnowRoaming had been great for us this holiday and it only got better. This was the ace in the hole: even in a hot air balloon over the caves of Cappadocia I was able to take photos on my phone and send it to everyone right away. The other passengers were totally amazed that I was able to do this. They all were talking of putting pictures on Facebook when they got back to the hotel. We didn’t have to wait for the hotel Wi-Fi to share our amazing experience. Just like throughout our tour of Turkey, we were able to stay connected even while floating 200 meters in the air.
Alas, the hour passed very quickly and we descend to our landing site. Upon the instruction from our trusty pilot we take our landing positions and await impact. It was all somewhat anti-climactic, as he puts the balloon down right on the trailer bed of our chase vehicle.
All that’s left is a glass of champagne, congrats all round, and posing for pics with the pilot and our fellow balloonists!”
Have your own KnowRoaming story? Send it our way! Follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook to learn more.