Yes, we are heading out for our 1st hot air balloon ride in our lives! We woke up before the sky was lit because we were set to catch the sunrise on the hot air balloon! We set off at around 5am to gather at a hotel nearby. It was still dark. I could hardly see the staff from Go Wild Ballooning who was already there waiting for us. When everyone had arrived, we hopped onto their mini bus to an open field. It was interesting as the driver was still communicating with their colleague about the wind direction and the need to change a location for launching.
Thankfully for the good weather, we reached an open field where some other companies had already arrived and started to set up their baskets and balloons. This is really so weather-dependent. I’m so thankful for the good weather and good wind today!
While waiting for ours to be ready, we could already feel the heat from the fire! As other balloons started to set off beside ours, we took photos of one another. The ride was amazingly calm. We went into the clouds and then saw the sun from above the clouds. It was a really amazing sight! It felt like we flew as high as an aeroplane! The air was calm and quiet apart from the sound of the fire above us. We could also see the mini bus following us from below so that it could pick us up from wherever we landed!
Landing was another interesting experience. The guys had to jump out to help guide the basket to the road as we landed in some people’s farm. So we glided slightly above the ground for quite a distance as the pilot and other guys guided us out. Even after we have landed, we had to help fold the balloon which was massive! Really hats down to the staff who have to do this every morning.
After the exhilarating ride, we went back to our cottage to pick up our luggage and drove an hour back to the airport for our flight home! And with that, we concluded our Sydney and Melbourne trip which was the first self-drive experience for my parents. Thanks to their spontaneity, hubby and I also got to concur some other firsts, such as the hot air balloon ride!
Perrine Travels 