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.
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