Hot Air Balloon Flight

At long last - after a couple of unsuccessful attempts over the years - an ambition fulfilled!  Why else would I be up at 0445 in 2 degree C temps?  We were picked up at our lodgings, driven to a potential take off point where they launched a small helium balloon to check winds:  Not good, so we drove off to another point, unloaded the balloon and commenced filling it with air - cold at first just to get it filled.  Then the burners are lit and slowly the balloon rises (but still anchored, to the bus actually).  We then pile into the basket and when ready (ie, after photos taken by ground crew), we slowly arise!  Rather noisy when the burners are alight but as well as helping the balloon to rise, it takes a bit of chill out of the air as well.  We then gently float over the ground, reaching 4,300 feet above sea level - about 2,000 feet above ground - at one stage. 

Everyone is busy snapping photos, cameras exchanged so couples/families can have group photos taken and a few roo are also spotted hopping about.  We watched the sun rise from the air which was pretty.  Nothing overly exciting, but then in a balloon 2,000 feet above the ground, well, that's a good thing:  Just gently drifting along watching the world go by.  It was all over flat ground, with the MacDonnell Ranges in the distance, like one other passenger I thought we'd be a bit closer.  Perhaps the mountains confuse the air currents to make it more exciting, or more likely, the insurance policy is exorbitant when you mention taking passengers over mountains. 

All too soon we landed - smooth landing - launched (literally!) ourselves out of the basket and helped fold & pack the balloon.  Then a glass of bubbly, breakfast and home again.  It was great to finally realise that ambition!  A few people commented they can now cross that off their bucket list:  I don't have a bucket list as such for fear of the implications when you cross off the last item!  Rather, the strategy of "OK, what else is there to do/see?".  So I am now another step closer to more new adventures, and The Northern Territory has plenty - saltwater crocs included, but I'll be careful in there territory.