The perfect way to start a day!! Rising before dawn, I looked with much anticipation tomy first ever balloon flight, to make it even better, I wasgoing on my maiden flight in the middle of the outback of Australia! It was still dark as we approachedthe launch site , preparing the balloon in the dark was quite an adventure, not knowing what to do lead to much confusion on the part of us green horns.
We were mainly reduced to observers as the crew prepared for the flight.
There would be a covey of four balloons in our fleet, it was quite a sight as the burners were lit and the balloons began to inflate just as the sun began to rise above the horizon.
I was fortunate enough to be in the last balloon to launch, which gave me the opportunity to observe the others ascending into the early morning light.
As we quietly floated above the desert , the many inhabitants of the land were quietly awakening and beginning to forage for breakfast.
Kangaroos, Wallabies, Dingos, and birds of all descriptions were roaming about, oblivious to our presence.
What a beautiful sight ! As the sun rose higher and higher in the sky, the landscape changed by the minute.
Being totally engulfed in the moment,time passed quickly, soon our descent began and it was time to come back down to earth.
Lightly touching the earth our next task was to fold the balloon, load it on the trailer to ready it for flight the next morning.
Now it was time for our reward, a Champagne Breakfast ! Making a table on the trailer ,champagne, wine, cheeses, and all the trimmings were presented for our enjoyment.
Returning back to our hotel by mid morning , we still had plenty of time to enjoy the sights of Alice Springs.