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A friend suggested we go for a ride in a hot air balloon! Heights have never been my thing, but during this year of chaos, I thought why not?

So what is it like going several thousand feet up in the air in a wicker basket? Picture yourself gently floating above the earth, with the wind as your guide and a panoramic view that leaves you in awe of the beauty of nature. There is a stillness and serenity up there that I have never experienced before – if you get the chance, take the trip, you will not be disappointed!

Pre-Flight Excitement:

We stayed overnight at an AirBnB near the launch site (mostly so we only had to get up around 4.30am for a pre-dawn lift off, rather than drive up from town and getting up at 3am!)

As the morning of our hot air balloon adventure (pre) dawned, anticipation & excitement filled the air. We arrived at the launch site and the sight of the vibrant, colourful balloon being inflated is a magnificent sight to see. The pilot and crew meticulously prepare for the flight, ensuring everything is in perfect order. As we watched the balloon slowly rise, anticipation built, and we were thrilled to embark on this unique and magical journey.

Floating on Cloud Nine:

As we stepped into the balloon’s basket, a sense of wonder and freedom engulfed me. The burner roared to life, and the balloon gently lifted off the ground. A rush of adrenaline surged through my veins as we ascended into the sky. The feeling of weightlessness is truly unparalleled as we left the world behind and become one with the elements.

The Breathtaking Panorama:

My breath was literally taken away as I witnessed the world from a whole new perspective with nothing between me and the air around me and an unencumbered view. The ground below shrunk into a colourful patchwork quilt, revealing nature’s intricate beauty.

The sprawling landscapes unfolded before our eyes like a living painting. We definitely managed to photograph & capture some of the awe-inspiring views and a cute selfie as well.

 

We hovered and drifted at around 4,000 feet and as there were a few clouds about, the pilot took us up to 6,500 feet for a few moments so we could “peek above the clouds.” It was absolutely awesome!

Experiencing the stillness:

As we peacefully floated through the sky, we become attuned to the symphony of nature. The tranquil silence, occasionally interrupted by the hissing of the burner meant that we could appreciate the stillness and tranquility and it gave me a complete sense of peace and calm.

The Magical Sunrise:

The flight was made even more enchanting because we experienced it during the golden hours of sunrise. We were surrounded by the warm hues of a rising sun, casting a warm glow on the landscape. The world seemed to hold its breath, and I felt like we became part of a mesmerizing moment where time stood still.

Meeting new people:

The hot air balloon flight was a shared experience, we shared the ride with several other adventurers. As we glided through the sky, laughter and friendly conversations quietly filled the air. Broken up with long moments of silent awe. And yes there was a marriage proposal on board, a young couple becoming engaged and the rest of us cheering & applauding their special moment – what a beautiful memory for them to have.

The gentle and ever so slightly bumpy landing:

We had a safety and landing briefing before we took off and we knew how to brace and hang on when landing! As the flight neared its end, the pilot skillfully maneuvered the balloon towards a suitable landing spot. We actually lightly grazed some trees on the final few feet (no harm to the trees). Once we landed, I felt a real sense of exhilaration washing over me, happy to be back on solid ground, but still full of a sense of calm, joy and happiness from the experience.

My friend chose the absolute best adventure for the both of us and I am so grateful that they did. The awe at the magnificence of the views and the overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility of being so high above the earth in nothing but a wicker basket.  We even got to help deflate and fold/roll up the balloon afterwards.

@libertyballoons

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