Hot Air Balloon Ride | Cappadocia

The entire experience from the drive to the perfect spot, to getting off the mini shuttle bus with dozens and dozens of hot air balloons laying flat on the ground, then watch them slowly ballooning to stand up proud and float into the sky so gently and effortlessly.

Everyone eagerly hopped into the basket with the biggest smiles and eyes wide open trying not to blink too much as to maximise the time gazing into one of the most magical scenery and experience of our lifetime.

"It was breathtaking and magical, neither words nor pictures are able to describe the feeling."

The lovey dovey hot air balloon couple :)

Directly on top of the fairy chimneys

How often is anyone able to view a tree from above it

Thanks to the many experienced crew and pilot, the entire experience was smooth and seamless. As you can see, we have been served some sparkling wine as a tradition to mark a successful flight.

Tips:

• The Hot Air Balloon Ride can be quite expensive especially during peak season. The cheapest time is in December during off-peak where there are less tourist. Also, it is possible to get it for a reasonable price if they have done their quota for the year. We booked our flight from a travel agency in Istanbul a day before we left for Cappadocia.
• December will be very very cold so wrap up! It was -10°C when I was there.

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Arif Cave Hotel | Göreme

When researching on where to visit in Turkey other than Istanbul, the first on the list was Cappadocia, a historical region of Central Anatolio in Turkey. It is well known for their fairy chimney rock formations, underground cities, cave houses and rock temples. They are so beautiful, everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Göreme was where we decided to stay. It is a town in Cappadocia which has hotels and restaurants. It is a small town but compared to the other towns, it is better populated and is more equipped for tourists. Daily tours operating in the area will have pickups from hotels. It is advised to go on a tour to see more sites out of town as there are no public transports available. The only other way is to hire a car. 

Arif Hotel is located slightly on a hilly part and has views that take your breath away. If you look carefully, there is a glass wall under the arch on the far right. This is the room where Turkish breakfast is served. 

Entrance to Arif Cave Hotel

As you enter the main gate, this is what you see

 A common waiting area

This was our room with a chillout area with two arm chairs and a coffee table

That's the bedroom and bathroom through the door

Isn't this romantic? Also, if you were wondering, the cave room was very well heated and warm during winter of -10C outside. I heard that some hotels can be quite chilly even though heated but this was very comfortable.

Night view from the top

I would highly recommend this hotel if you are planning to visit Cappadocia. There are also many good and affordable food around the area which is always a plus. 

How to get to Göreme?

The fastest way from Istanbul is to take a flight to Kayseri Airport. From the airport, take the pre-booked shuttle which will drop you to your hotel. Contact your hotel prior to arrival with details of your flight so they can arrange for a pickup shuttle. It will cost 25TL per person.

What to do in Göreme?

• Hot Air Balloon ride (highly recommended)
• 2 main tours
• Red Tour (covers the north of Cappadocia)
• Green Tour (covers the south of Cappadocia)
• There are also many other tours and activities available during peak season

Where to eat?

• Top Deck Restaurant
• Firin Express
• Koy Evi

Arif Cave Hotel

Aydınkırağı Mahallesi No: 11

Göreme / Nevşehir, Turkey

Tel: +90 384 271 23 61

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Pomegranate Juice in Turkey and its benefits

Pomegranate is everywhere in Turkey. It is almost impossible to walk along a street without coming across any shops, stalls or vendors selling Pomegranate fruits or juice. Pomegranate is also known for its many benefits. For starters, it contains the maximum amount of anti-oxidant in comparison to other fruits, at about 3 times more than green tea. This beautifully red seeded fruit can be used to heal ulcers or diarrhoea. It also provides protection from diabetes, heart diseases and some types of cancer.

So while any of you are ever in Turkey, pile on those pomegranate juice, like we did! You can get dried pomegranate too, to be made into pomegranate tea.

Pomegranate and citrus juice vendor

Yes, we were piling on those pomegranate juice! They were so fresh and naturally sweet too!

You may also like:

Karafirin

Halloumi, Fig & Pomegranate Salad

First night in Istanbul

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Karafirin | Istanbul

On our first night after a not so great dinner, we found a gem of a cafe. Karafirin in Sultanahmet has only been opened for about five months and I was glad we walked by it as it really made my night. After a tiring flight and not so great dinner, a good cup of tea and some indulgent desserts was the only way to make a girl smile.

We were immediately captured by the exterior of this cafe, with warm lighting and many attractive cakes staring at us with those puppy dog eyes asking us to eat them. How could we say no to that. There were cakes, cookies and Turkish desserts on both left and right side as we enter. They made it so difficult for us to focus. All of them looked good and really, there were too many to choose from. 

It was such a warm and inviting cafe that even children felt comfortable exploring about.

As we entered, on the left was a glass cabinet filled with muffins and little almond cakes.

Then further up were more cakes, cookies and meringues covered in glass cloches.

And on the right side, next to the counter were lots various Turkish desserts including baklava.

Then further up were where the French patisserie were beautifully displayed.

Don't they look pretty as a picture!?

As it was only few days left before Christmas, they even sold adorable Christmas stockings and cute little packed edible gifts as stocking fillers.

How so cosy and warm the interior was that it was perfect to chill and relax.

I was told that the phrase on the wall means something like 'Let's have tea..' since tea is part of the Turkish culture.

This was what we tried. The almond cookies, pastry encased coconut chocolate filling and the last one was our favourite chocolate and coconut ball.

While we were sat enjoying our Turkish tea and Turkish coffee accompanied with those cute little sweets, we noticed an oddly placed door which seemed a little difficult to reach. There was even a painted sign on the wall that says it's a 'Secret Gate'. Curious as a cat, I finally found out where that door leads to. It was not an entrance to Narnia nor was it to Hogwarts. The manager told me it was to their store room filled with candies and chocolate!! I don't know about you, but that's one great door to enter.

Smile..

A charming cafe with lots of attractive and good desserts, accompanied with friendly service.

Frown..

Nothing to frown about.

Will I return?

Yes, we were meant to try more desserts the next time but did not have enough time. So maybe the next trip to Istanbul.

Karafirin

Cankurtan Mah.
Akbiyik Cd. No.56
Sultanahmet, Fatih
Istanbul, Turkey

Tel: +90 212 518 5000

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My first night in Istanbul

I have only been back for less than two days and already, I am missing Turkey. At least I am lucky enough to be able to share all the sweet memories of the past two weeks with you here.

My first night in Istanbul was so exciting! There were lights everywhere, and everything was so colourful! Everything was new to me; people, culture, language, food and many more. Armed with my new camera, I was taking pictures of almost everything I encountered with. This excitement only subsided well, at the end of the trip just as we were about to leave. Turkey is such a big country and every part of it is so different from the other, it feels different every time. Who wouldn't be excited.

The first very interesting thing that I had to get used to was the many looks of everyone surrounding us. I know we look different but whoa trying to ignore them took some time. Also, the overly friendly and inviting men took a little adjustment for us girls to handle but at the end of this trip, we grasp hold of it pretty well and made some good friends along the way.

So here's a short tease of my first night in pictures and captions while I write more of my two weeks Turkish adventures in the next few posts. 

 

The Blue Mosque at night

Sultanahmet at night

Sahlep sold everywhere during winter

Colourful Turkish lamps everywhere

Some cute hotels at Sultanahmet:

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