Archive · 23 Aug 2026
A Rainbow Begins a Journey Through Istanbul and Cappadocia
Ranjana Jha writes about visiting Turkey after being interested in its history and culture for many years.
Her trip began in Istanbul when she saw a rainbow from a taxi.
The taxi driver stopped so she could take a picture.
In Istanbul, she visited famous places such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
She also traveled on the Bosphorus and watched Whirling Dervishes perform.
Later, she flew to Cappadocia, where she saw unusual rock formations and handmade pottery.
She stayed in a quiet cave home in Ortahisar and watched the moon rise.
Her favorite experience was floating in a hot-air balloon above Cappadocia, but she says the rainbow remains her first memory of Turkey.
Ranjana Jha describes a long-awaited journey through Turkey, inspired by its history, culture and Rumi’s writings.
A rainbow over Istanbul and a considerate taxi driver became the trip’s most memorable opening moment.
In Istanbul, Jha visited Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Bosphorus.
At the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre, she watched a Whirling Dervish ceremony that deepened her reflection on Rumi’s influence.
In Cappadocia, she explored volcanic landscapes, ceramics and Göreme before taking a peaceful hot-air-balloon flight.
- Who
- Travel writer Ranjana Jha, along with her travel companions and local guides, drivers and hosts.
- What
- A personal account of a journey through Istanbul and Cappadocia in Turkey.
- When
- During Jha’s trip to Turkey; the articles do not provide specific dates.
- Where
- Istanbul, including the Bosphorus and Hodjapasha Cultural Centre, and Cappadocia, including Ortahisar and Göreme.
- Why
- Jha traveled because Turkey’s history, culture, landscapes and connection to Rumi had fascinated her for years.
- Writer
- Ranjana Jha
- Country visited
- Turkey
- Main destinations
- Istanbul and Cappadocia
- Istanbul highlights
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Bosphorus
- Cultural experience
- A Whirling Dervish ceremony at the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre
- Cappadocia experience
- A hot-air-balloon flight lasting almost an hour
- Central memory
- A rainbow over Istanbul and a taxi driver’s kindness