Hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey

I have recently shared about my trip to Turkey and this balloon ride, but needed include it as part of this series.

God’s creation is so amazing! I was blessed to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey. The incredible formations are from the lava flows of nearby volcanoes. There are three in the region. This was my first hot air balloon ride and I loved it! . I normally don’t like heights, but this was so smooth that it did not bother me. I was just overcome with amazement. To think that I almost didn't want to include this as part of my tour. When looking for tours to Turkey, I almost selected one that did not include this. Since I didn't like heights, I thought I would not enjoy. But almost every tour to Turkey included this stop, so I figured it must be something to see. Sometimes it is important to trust the experts about what are "must see" sights. I am so glad I did!

What makes this one of my top ten travel experiences was the amazing landscape, time of day, and new experience of a hot air balloon ride.

Travel Tip: Don't miss out on something amazing because you are afraid. Unless you are physically unable to do to something, then you need to go for it. You won't regret it!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:3

Top 10 Travel Experiences: The Fjords in Norway

 

The Fjords in Norway

Up until now, my travel experiences have combine natural beauty with man-made structures.  Today's in strictly based on natural beauty made by God.  There have been two times in my life that I was so overwhelmed with what I was seeing that I had to call and it share it with loved ones and both were experiencing the beauty of the world God has made for us.  The first the time was my initial visit to the Grand Canyon.  When I looked over that canyon, my heart immediately began to sing "How Great Thou Art" speaking of the greatness of God and his creation.  I felt the need to call my parents and tell them what I was seeing.  They had actually visited it during their honeymoon as they took a cross country road trip to California.  I remember telling them how awesome the sights I was seeing were.  Moved to tears that they had also had the same experience.  

The only other time I felt the need to call and share what I was seeing with my family was when I was on this boat tour of one of the Fjords in Norway.  I remember just thinking how amazing it was.  I'm not sure why it affected me so much, but it felt like one of the most beautiful things I had ever experienced.  My siblings may remember, but I felt the urge to record a video message to each of them so that they could see what I was seeing and experience it together.  The awe-inspiring work of God in nature are the most profound and life changing experiences you can have.  How can you not believe in God when you see things like this.  

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by ice segregation and abrasion of the surrounding bedrock.^[7] According to the standard model, glaciers formed in pre-glacial valleys with a gently sloping valley floor. The work of the glacier then left an overdeepened U-shaped valley that ends abruptly at a valley or trough end. Such valleys are fjords when flooded by the ocean. Thresholds above sea level create freshwater lakes.^[8] Glacial melting is accompanied by the rebounding of Earth's crust as the ice load and eroded sediment is removed (also called isostasy or glacial rebound). In some cases, this rebound is faster than sea level rise. Most fjords are deeper than the adjacent sea; Sognefjord, Norway, reaches as much as 1,300 m (4,265 ft) below sea level. Fjords generally have a sill or shoal (bedrock) at their mouth caused by the previous glacier's reduced erosion rate and terminal moraine.^[9] In many cases this sill causes extreme currents and large saltwater rapids (see skookumchuck). Saltstraumen in Norway is often described as the world's strongest tidal current. These characteristics distinguish fjords from rias (such as the Bay of Kotor), which are drowned valleys flooded by the rising sea. Drammensfjorden is cut almost in two by the Svelvik "ridge", a sandy moraine that was below sea level when it was covered by ice, but after the post-glacial rebound reaches 60 m (200 ft) above the fjord.^[10]

Below are some pictures of that experience including a few pictures of a waterfall we passed on the train ride to the boat launch.  I hope can feel some of the awe and wonder that I felt that day.  

Travel Tip:  Share some of the most inspiring or exiting experiences on your travel with loved ones (family and friends) back home.  Do a video call if possible.  They will be glad to see that you are having the opportunity to see these things, but also that you thought of them during these times.  

Closeups for one of the waterfalls.  

My travel partners for this trip.  

Norway, land of the midnight sun, where the beauty of nature never ceases to amaze.” – Henrik Ibsen, “Peer Gynt” (1867)

Top 10 Travel Experiences: The Colosseum in Rome

 

The Colosseum

Many of my top 10 travel experiences involve history.  I have always been interested in history and would love to have taught it.  Family history, church history, history of empires and civilizations, etc. This travel experience hits on so many of those areas of interest in me.  The Colosseum in Rome has become a symbol of an era - both in what was capable to be built and what happened in the Colosseum.  Countless movies have been made about gladiators and other spectacles taking place in this arena.  Although I had see the outside before, on this visit to Rome, I was determined to get inside.  

Visiting with a former exchange student (Luca) and his family in Rome, we had taken a private tour around Rome hitting all of the major sites.  Below is a picture of me with Luca and his mom outside of the Colosseum that day.  You can also visit my Carbonaro Challenge post in this blog for more information about that visit. 

During our tour that day, I asked the guide about seeing the inside.  He mentioned that it was difficult to get in, but did say that the next day - Saturday - was a free entry day.  He also mentioned that it would be crazy busy and did not recommend that I try to get in that day.  Well, if you know me, I like a challenge.  Sometimes they are foolhardy, but many times they pay off.  I woke up early that day and it was lightly raining.  I thought that this may be a good morning to try to get in to the Colosseum.  Perhaps many would not want to get out in the rain and certainly not that early.  I thought that it opened at 8:00 so I headed out about 6:30am.  Along the way I was able to get many before daylight pictures of some of the major attractions along the way including the Colosseum.  

Travel tip:  The early bird gets the worm.  

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Colosseum (/ˌkɒ.lə.ˈsiː.əm/ KOL-ə-SEE-əm; Italian: Colosseo [kolosˈsɛːo]) is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) in 72^[1] and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79–81).^[2] Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96).^[3] The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio [aɱfiteˈaːtro ˈflaːvjo]) by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).

The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced Roman concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history,^[4][5] having an average audience of some 65,000;^[6] it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Once I arrived at the box office area (where you get your free ticket), I noticed about 4-5 people standing in a line.  Not knowing for sure, I joined the line.  Another tip - when you see a line - check it out.  Asking around, I find out this is the line for the free tickets; however, the box office did not open until 9:00 am.  It was about 7:00 am at the time.  Some may say, I'm not going to wait two hours in the rain to get in - but not me.  I was determined to get in (get that from my mom).  So I hung out there for two hours with off and on drizzles - never heavy rain.  I saw the line get longer and longer and by the time the box office opened it was a couple of city blocks long.  By the time, I got through security - I was like the second person let in to the colosseum.  Once again, I found myself almost alone in an amazing piece of architecture and history.  Imagining the people from ancient times roaming through these same halls.  Below are pictures from that amazing morning.  

Travel tip:  Put forth the effort to do the major things on your list.  You may never have the chance to do them again.  Also, don't be put off by advice from others.  Go with you gut, desire, and instinct.  

"While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand; When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall; And when Rome falls—the World." — Lord Byron