Scared Of Heights? Take Off On A Balloon Flight!

Gung Ho adventurers think nothing of throwing themselves into adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and hurtling off enormous cliffs.

Reassuringly, not all of us, including our Time for Life Correspondent, Sharon Cain, have a head for heights, preferring the safety of ‘terra firma’.

However, the opportunity to experience something extraordinarily magical is sometimes too enticing to turn down.

During her current nine-month motorhome trip, Sharon threw caution to the wind and took to the skies amid the spectacular, fairy-tale landscape of Cappadocia in central Turkey.

Spellbinding Landscape

Mesmerised by the magic of Cappadocia from our research, we arrived at our campsite in pitch darkness and were up with the larks to watch the balloons ascending in this intoxicating region.

We witnessed dozens of balloons firing up and climb gracefully over the mountainous region, with elevations of over 1,000 metres in one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.

It was sensational as balloons of every conceivable colour lit up the skies, whetting our appetite to book a flight for the next morning – despite my anxiety about heights.

Fuelled by gas, balloon flights are totally dependent upon the weather conditions which can be extremely adverse in this part of the world in Winter– with snowfalls of up to 15 centimetres.

Not being geared up snow tyres on our motorhome at that point, we had bided our time and waited for a window of three snow-free days which we hungrily grabbed.

A recce of the various balloon trips saw us secure a great deal which involved being in a basket of just eight people for a 6am next day pick up.

Too Late to Backout?


Once booked, there was no going back so I spent time – the whole of the night actually – taking deep breaths and visualising how it would be thousands of metres in the air in a small basket wide open to the elements.

As we rattled through the pot holed roads in our people carrier pick up, it was reassuring to see I wasn’t the only fearful venturer as high-pitched laughs from fellow passengers tried to disguise their nervousness.

I needn’t have worried - the consummate professionalism and dexterity of our pilot, Kadim, and his team was first class as he explained what lay ahead. His sense of humour was also wonderful. ‘First Time for you?’ he asked our group. When everyone nodded in unison, he said straight-faced: ‘First time for me too!’.

Once ensconced in the balloon with two to each of the four boxes with the pilot in the middle, the magic began once the balloon inflated. Watching the machinations of coordinating the operation was an absorbing.

Ready for lift off, we ascended over the vast valley of Goreme’s National Park with the stillness punctuated by bursts of the gas heating the air of the balloon.

I had envisioned spending the flight duration with my eyes closed – but the extraordinarily beautiful landscape and Nadim’s skilful handling of the balloon quickly dispelled all fears.


Known as a ‘gentle giant’, a hot air balloon is totally at the mercy of the wind - thankfully weather conditions were ideal for flying that morning.

The sensation gives you an incredible insight into the magnificence of our planet and the limitless freedom that birds soaring over mountains and oceans enjoy every day of their lives.

On our descent I kept wondering how anything could trump this phenomenal experience. Our farewell was lovely as Kadim presented us with our certificates and a sickly red lemonade drink to toast our achievement.

We returned to our campervan buzzing and keen to explore the potent landscape we had effortlessly floated above.

Ancient Riches

Cappadocia’s unique and fascinating landscape - which is among the world’s largest cave dwelling region - has witnessed cities, empires and religions rise and fall around its subterranean buildings.

Rulers and races including the Persians, Alexander the Great, Rome, Islam, The Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire have left their mark – and Turkish rule has reigned triumphant since the 11th century.

A cultural feast of underground cities with hidden passages, fairy chimneys and castles - not to mention cute camels - await visitors.

Walking around the town of Goreme and its quirky rock formations is like being on a film set. Awarded UNESCO status in 1984 – and one of the country’s first to receive UNESCO status, its open-air museum features 10th century monasteries carved out of the rocks with fantastic, frescoed walls and ceilings.

We were beyond fortunate with our balloon ride timing as, poised to watch the balloons the next day (the experience is extremely addictive), we woke up to snow which had arrived a day early.

All balloon flights were cancelled, and this was the case for the next two weeks as the inclement weather continued.

The coating of snow further enhanced the landscape’s dream-like quality. As tempting as it was to hunker down and ride it out, we reluctantly left while the going was good, heading to the warmer climes of the coast.

Weeks later, hardly a day goes by without pausing to recapture the powerful emotions the balloon flight – one of life’s precious milestones – had evoked.

The best way to describe it is through the famous lyrics: “I believe I can fly; I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day. Spread my wings and fly away”…

If you ever have an opportunity to soar like a bird, take it – it is truly out of this world.