Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon

Cappadocia is another example of nature's magnificence. It is a plateau formed by the accumulation of volcanic ash from three neighbouring volcanoes. The volcanic ash sedimented to create tuff, a rock that is very easy to excavate. The ice age that followed the ash deposit created cracks and fissures in the rock and these directed the flow of water when the ice melted. The flow of water turned these cracks into valleys and, even more marvellously, completely maligned the landscape, creating Cappadocia's famous pinnacles. Each tufa pinnacle is accompanied by a large stone lying on top. It is thanks to the presence of these stones that the pinnacles were formed: the flow of water over the ground is blocked by the presence of these stones, the flow divides and the water flows over the sides of the stone. And here it digs and digs into the tuff until it leaves a pinnacle with a stone at the top. To complete nature's work, man has used these pinnacles to excavate dwellings, churches, castles. The landscape, especially in the evening light, is reminiscent of Matera, a wonderful Italian town carved out of tuff. Man has not stopped at the surface, but has also dug underground, creating immense underground cities, up to 7 or 8 levels deep, all dug out of the tuff. An example of these is the underground city of Kaymakli.

As much as it can be described as a purely touristy (and expensive) activity, there is no more spectacular way to see Cappadocia's beautiful landscapes than by hot-air balloon. One has to leave early in the morning to catch the sunrise. The mini-bus picks us up at 3.30am, takes us to breakfast and then in groups of about five we are taken to the 'take-off' point. Obviously there is not just one hot-air balloon, but dozens. We arrive at the take-off fields at dusk, the hot-air balloons are almost ready with the balloons inflated but still lying on the ground. It looks like a hot-air balloon graveyard, an expanse of sleeping balloons, partly reminding me of the images of the circus tents in the cartoon 'Dumbo'. They are immense. We arrive at our hot-air balloon, it is red and the balloon is already floating in the air held in place by flames. We climb over the walls of the basket. The basket wobbles, like a horse in a state of excitement ready to gallop as soon as the stable doors open. But suddenly it is not a gallop that we perceive, but a gentle, silent fluttering. So we start to climb and climb and climb. I am surprised by the absolute silence, interrupted only now and then by the sound of flames heating the air to keep us at altitude. Higher and higher. We are one of the first hot-air balloons, but slowly the others appear in the sky. So many colourful upside-down figs. In the meantime, the sky changes colours and the valleys carved into the tuff turn pink. The hot-air balloon goes up and down, using the warm air to reach the altitude where the wind blows in the direction we are aiming. A gentle, silent up and down. We enter the valleys, so close to the rocks that it feels like we can touch them, and then up, up and up again. The sky is dotted with colourful figs. A breathtaking spectacle. Slowly the sun peeps out, the sky takes on a deep blue colour and the hot-air balloons reflect gold. I don't know which way to turn because in every direction it is a marvel. My eyes shine with excitement. The landing is definitely the trickiest part. We aim for a landing site, the technicians are waiting for us with the car and the undercarriage where the hot-air balloon will rest. But the wind and the position are not good and we miss it. We have to opt for the second landing site. As we regain altitude and pull away, we see the little men running in the car and chasing us to the next landing point. This time we make it and descend until we feel a bump. The little men, now of real size, jump on the edge of the basket to add weight and stop the balloon. We have made it, we have landed. They give us a certificate and a glass of champagne, as if we might become even more inebriated than we already are. We return home, coloured figs in our eyes, a wonderful experience in our memories. Ask me if it was worth it (and the €180 price tag): yes, yes and yes again!

Friendliest person: Alí, the petrol station attendant who offered us coffee in exchange for a chat during a short stop for petrol

Music: Anılar by Uğur Akdora

Food: Not one dish in particular, but the picnic of tomatoes, cucumbers and local cheese we had in the Ihlara valley

Highlights of the trip: the morning my sister was supposed to leave for the airport the shuttle was not arriving, there must have been a misunderstanding. The flight was at 8:30, there was an hour's drive and at 6:30 I started to panic! I started busting the balls of everyone I met nearby: the guy from the nearby hotel, the taxi driver who had clearly come for other people and not for my sister, a guy passing by ... everyone was telling me: 'don't worry, she will make it'. Hard to believe when she finally left at 7am. An hour of anxiety while she was on the road. Well, she finally made it!!! And so it always seems to be in Turkey: it works in the end!

Lowlights of the trip: Cappodia is extremely commercialised. Everything can be done almost exclusively through organised tours. Pink valley? 30€ to do it by quad. Pigeon valley? 40€ on horseback. In short, everything is sold in packages. Luckily we rented the car and managed to be a bit independent and above all ready to flee as soon as we spotted the cloud of dust created by the incoming quad herd at a distance!!!