Cappadocia to Olympos: Hot Air Balloons, Stray Pups, and a Christmas Adventure

Meke Crater Lake

The Pups

First night in Cappadocia

Cappadocia

After getting ourselves fixed in Konya, Cappadocia was our next stop. But first, we decided to check out Lake Meke. We spent a quiet night there and were rewarded with a stunningly scenic sunrise all to ourselves. After a peaceful morning taking in the views, we packed up and made our way to Cappadocia.

Our first destination in the region was Göreme, where we explored the local town and, of course, indulged in some cay. The afternoon was spent strolling through the streets and over to Love Valley, soaking in the unique landscape and whimsical rock formations. As the day wore on, we noticed some promising parking spots on the other side of the valley. Intrigued, we drove over to see if we could snag a spot with a prime view of the famous hot air balloons.

Luck was on our side, and we found a fantastic spot. That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the air grew chilly, we struck up a conversation with a couple from Belgium who were parked nearby. The barren landscape offered little in the way of firewood, but after some scouting, we came across a disused café with some fencing outside. Deciding that we needed it more than they did, Darian and I “borrowed” a few panels to fuel our campfire.

The fire wasn’t the only warmth we enjoyed that night. At this spot, we encountered a stray dog and her seven tiny pups. They quickly won our hearts, and we couldn’t resist spoiling them. Over the course of the evening, the pups devoured about a kilogram of sausage, a feast fit for kings. As night fell, they kept coming back to cuddle, and soon each of us had at least one pup curled up on our lap. Eventually, we carried them back to their nest to ensure they were safe and warm.

The combination of breathtaking landscapes, new friendships, and the unexpected company of those adorable pups made this the kind of evening we’ll never forget. Cappadocia was already proving to be an adventure, and we couldn’t wait to see what the next day would bring.

Göreme Castle

Hot air balloons in love valley

Pose for the Balloons

Cappadocia continued

Waking up at 5 a.m., our excitement was palpable. This was the moment we had been waiting for, but as the kettle boiled, an unsettling silence hung in the air. The commotion we’d been told to expect, the hum of activity that precedes the balloons taking flight, was nowhere to be heard. Peering anxiously out of the van’s windows, I felt a sinking dread that the balloons might not fly this morning.

Still, I couldn’t give up hope. Stepping outside into the freezing, frosty morning, I scanned the horizon. The bitter chill bit through my layers, but then, in the distance, I saw it, faint silhouettes slowly taking shape. Balloons were inflating. As the first light of dawn crept across the sky, their vibrant colors came to life. Relief and awe washed over me; it was happening.

Watching the hot air balloons rise against the backdrop of the rugged Cappadocian landscape was nothing short of magical. It’s hard to put into words how surreal it felt to witness such beauty unfold. The photographs we took, though stunning, can’t truly capture the majesty of that moment. It was one of those experiences that imprints itself deeply in your memory.

After an unforgettable morning spent marveling at the balloons and chatting with fellow travellers, we made an easy decision, we’d stay another night. Not only to experience this incredible sight again, but also to keep our new furry friends, the pups, company for a little longer. However, the next morning brought heavy fog, and the balloons never took to the skies.

With the day suddenly open, we ventured back into Göreme. This time, we set our sights on the castle, which promised sweeping views of the valleys and the surrounding terrain. From its lofty heights, we gazed out at the intricate rock formations and felt a renewed sense of wonder for this remarkable region. Even without the balloons, Cappadocia had a way of leaving us breathless.

Antalya Falls

Konya science center

Land of Legends

North Or South?

The plan was to head north towards the Black Sea, to a town called Samsun, as we’d heard great things. From there, we’d complete a loop back towards Istanbul. However, after driving four hours north and spending the night, we woke to less-than-ideal weather. A quick check of the forecast showed it wasn’t looking any better for the coming weeks. Adding to this, everyone we had met so far was on the west coast, which made us reconsider. After some deliberation, we decided to head back south.

On our way, we made a stop in Konya, as it was along our route and gave us a chance to visit the science center we had missed previously. From there, we continued towards Mersin. But it wasn’t just the north that had bad weather, news reached us about severe flooding in Manavgat, making it impossible to pass through. So, we adjusted our route again, passing back through the Anatolian Mountains and heading towards Antalya.

In Antalya, we reconnected with an English couple we had met earlier in Cappadocia. We spent a few nights there, enjoying the city and catching up. Just a few days before Christmas, we visited the Land of Legends, a theme park that felt like stepping into a festive wonderland. It was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and cap off an eventful leg of our journey.

Olympos

marsh mellow roasting at eternal flames

Singed cats cuddles

Olympos for Christmas

We’d had a good tip about a lovely place to stay in Olympos, and it turned out to be a gem. Arriving on Christmas Eve, we settled in, only to be greeted by thunderstorm after thunderstorm. While the constant rain added a touch of drama, it also brought an unexpected charm to our Christmas Day. Once the skies finally cleared, we grabbed our marsh mellows and headed out to the famous eternal flames of Olympos. These natural fires, fuelled by gas escaping from the earth, burned brightly against the dusk, a magical sight after days cooped up in the van.

While exploring the area, we came across some of the friendliest cats, many of them singed at the tips of their fur from venturing too close to the flames. They added a quirky and memorable touch to an already enchanting outing. It was exactly the kind of unique experience we needed to lift our spirits after the storms.

Last scenic set of 2024

New friends in camp

Camp fires keep us warm

New friends

This past year, we've met so many amazing people, both locals and fellow travellers. There's something about spending an evening with new faces that we really enjoy, and it adds so much fun to this adventure. A few times, we've used social media to connect with other travellers and arrange meet-ups. And in our experience, they usually follow a familiar pattern: say hello, have too many beers, and somehow end up discussing where we poop. More about our new friends, more mechanical issues, and what our New Year looked like in the next post.