Cappadocia, Turkey

April 25th – 27th, 2025

Cappadocia is easily one of the most unique and unforgettable places I’ve ever been to. Seriously, just wow.

Naturally, out of all the vehicles available, my dad decided to rent a stupid ass van. I have no idea why. Probably because it’s huge and he’s all about comfort. Either way, we rolled into Göreme on the afternoon of the 25th, and right on cue, the skies opened up. It started pouring.

We’d been warned. The weather here is famously unpredictable, and if it turns ugly, you can kiss the hot air balloons goodbye. So at that point, all we could do was cross our fingers and hope the rain would stop in time for us to catch a glimpse of those floating beauties.

Because of Göreme’s otherworldly landscape, the best hotels are built into the fairy chimneys as cave rooms. Having stayed in a natural cave hotel in Santorini before, I knew exactly what to expect. Rooms that look cute on Instagram but feel like sleeping in a stone cellar with mood lighting. So I came prepared, mentally and physically, for another cozy uncomfortable experience.

The cave room was certainly unique and beautiful. But when it comes to air circulation and moisture, it left a lot to be desired. I guess ancient rocks just don’t compete with modern building materials when it comes to comfort. The air felt heavy, and the dampness lingered.

I was starting to get more sick, and the weather wasn’t great that day. So we didn’t even leave the hotel property and just sat outside for a drink to see the view then migrated inside when it was too cold. Ordered some cheese for the stray cat and a hot dog for the stray dog. Some pictures from the first day:

Hot Air Balloon Experience in Soganli Valley

Our first morning in Göreme didn’t go as planned since the hot air balloon ride was canceled due to the weather. Instead, we made our way to the quieter Soganli Valley, where just 27 balloons lifted off compared to the usual 200 in Göreme. Not ideal, but it is the best alternative.

The bus scooped us up at the ungodly hour of 4:30 in the morning and drove for 40 minutes through the dark. By then, I was steadily falling apart, losing my voice and feeling like death, but somehow still managing to flash a picture-perfect smile for the camera. Priorities. They served us a traditional Turkish breakfast with hot tea, which I appreciated in spirit more than in taste, given how miserable I felt. Meanwhile, the Hispanic travelers in our group arrived looking ready for a magazine cover, with full glam makeup and the brightest “Buenos días” I have ever heard at dawn. Their energy was so contagious it actually woke me up.

We waited until 8 for the weather to clear and finally got the green light for takeoff. The flight itself was absolutely stunning, no question. The stuffs are professional, especially friendly after hearing we are Chinese. But to be honest, it felt significantly overpriced. Still, I can now say I floated above the valleys of Turkey while half-sick, completely voiceless, and somehow still am camera ready (more or less…)

We were dropped off at the hotel around 10 in the morning. My dad and I beelined straight to bed without hesitation. My mom, on the other hand, refused to let a complimentary breakfast go to waste. No matter how tired she was, the words “free food” seemed to fuel her more than sleep ever could.

The only family pic we got the WHOLE trip! lol

We finally rolled out of bed around 1pm, well-rested and ready to redeem the day. Lunch was amazing, exactly the kind of meal that makes you forget you were once sick and sleep-deprived. While wandering through the charming streets of Göreme, I made a few furry friends who clearly approved of my energy. Then, my mom and I spontaneously decided it was time for a photoshoot, so we played dress up and put on make up. Because why not turn the town into our personal runway?

Mind you, I was still completely voiceless and feeling like I had been run over by a balloon basket, so after our photoshoot I crawled back into bed. Meanwhile, my parents went out to explore and returned bickering over something truly ridiculous. Apparently, my dad was on a mission for beer while my mom had her heart set on Turkish flatbread. The issue was that they could not find a place that served both. So in a grand display of marital compromise, they each stormed off to separate restaurants. They came back armed with snacks and complaints, each convinced the other was being completely unreasonable. Honestly, it was the pettiest standoff over carbs and alcohol I have ever witnessed.

The Magical Moment: Göreme Hot Air Balloon

Once again, I could barely drag myself out of bed. With zero energy to put on a cute dress or even attempt makeup, I went for full coverage by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and hoping no one would recognize me. My mom, on the other hand, decided to show up looking absolutely stunning. But despite my half-dead state, this turned out to be one of the most magical moments of my life. 200 hot air balloons taking flight at the same time over such unique landscape, where else can you see that? Do not just take my word for it, have a look for yourself.

The Stray Cat and Dog

What we love about Turkey is how friendly the stray animals are. The strays seem so gentle and trusting, probably because people here treat them kindly. That said, the black cat that hung around our hotel had an obvious skin condition, which was really heartbreaking to see. My dad, who usually refuses to be in photos, kept pestering me to take pictures of him with the stray dogs. Whenever we ate, we always ordered an extra plate to bring back for the stray dog that lingered near our hotel. It felt like the least we could do for them.