Up, Up and Away!!
It was the second morning in a row we dragged ourselves out of bed at 3:15 a.m.
Yesterday it was to catch our 6 a.m. flight to Luxor. But today we jump out of bed with a little more excitement and anticipation.
As I was planning this trip I set my mind up to do something exciting and adventurous and that I had never done before. I booked us for a hot air balloon ride.
And this was not just any hot air balloon ride.... it was a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Luxor's Valley of the Kings! Luckily my travel buddies were up for it.
We quickly throw some cold water on our faces to wake up and get ready for the day. At 4:00 our ride arrives and we board a small boat that will take us across the river to the West Bank. As we net near we see a balloon rising into the sky. It is still quite dark, the morning light is just starting to lighten the sky. As we get closer we see a handful of bright colored balloons filling with air, ready to rise gracefully into the early morning sky.
I am a little bummed because we have been told we are not able to take photos, there will be a group photographer and we will be able to buy a DVD or USB with photos. I find this very difficult to comprehend.... how can I experience this without attempting to capture it!!!! Luckily I am able to sneak pictures on the ground as we get ready and we are told pictures are allowed in the air,
WHEW!!!
We are split into small groups, the balloon will hold 12 people.... the large basket is divided into 4 sections, each with 4 people.
One by one balloons rise into the air, their bright colors against the ever-brightening sky.
The workers spread out our balloon.... it is bright yellow and red. They blow air into the opening with huge fans and as it begins to fill it slowly rises, the basket on its side waiting to be pulled upright as the balloon rises. Once the balloon is full the flame is lit, a giant red flame, and the balloon strains upward.
We scramble into our assigned spots and assume our landing position..... hold firmly onto the rope in front of us, squat down knees bent with back and head pressed against the wall of the basket behind us.
The balloon rises into the sky as the sunrise lights up the horizon.
It is peaceful, quiet, calm. Colored balloons dot the vista and we sail on.... over the countryside with its small farms - donkeys graze in small fields, two camel trot down a dusty country road. The desert stretches out below with verdant green strips alongside the Nile grow feed for the animals alongside of agricultural crops. Beyond the Sahara stretches toward dusty mountains.
We pass over the Valley of the Kings where Egypt's ancient pharaohs were laid to rest in pursuit of the afterlife. We pass over dilapidated houses and abandoned ruins.
The morning sky turns a beautiful blue and the day has begun. Slowly and ruefully we begin to sink down toward earth. Our capable captain eyes a spot of grassy field with a narrow dirt road. "That is where we will land" he says and skillfully drops down on the tiny road as neighbouring children run through the fields toward us, hoping for a few pounds.
This was an amazing way to start a day and one I will not soon forget.
Come With Me as we visit the Valley of the Kings and experience 40 degree weather......
It was the second morning in a row we dragged ourselves out of bed at 3:15 a.m.
Yesterday it was to catch our 6 a.m. flight to Luxor. But today we jump out of bed with a little more excitement and anticipation.
As I was planning this trip I set my mind up to do something exciting and adventurous and that I had never done before. I booked us for a hot air balloon ride.
And this was not just any hot air balloon ride.... it was a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Luxor's Valley of the Kings! Luckily my travel buddies were up for it.
We quickly throw some cold water on our faces to wake up and get ready for the day. At 4:00 our ride arrives and we board a small boat that will take us across the river to the West Bank. As we net near we see a balloon rising into the sky. It is still quite dark, the morning light is just starting to lighten the sky. As we get closer we see a handful of bright colored balloons filling with air, ready to rise gracefully into the early morning sky.
I am a little bummed because we have been told we are not able to take photos, there will be a group photographer and we will be able to buy a DVD or USB with photos. I find this very difficult to comprehend.... how can I experience this without attempting to capture it!!!! Luckily I am able to sneak pictures on the ground as we get ready and we are told pictures are allowed in the air,
WHEW!!!
We are split into small groups, the balloon will hold 12 people.... the large basket is divided into 4 sections, each with 4 people.
One by one balloons rise into the air, their bright colors against the ever-brightening sky.
The workers spread out our balloon.... it is bright yellow and red. They blow air into the opening with huge fans and as it begins to fill it slowly rises, the basket on its side waiting to be pulled upright as the balloon rises. Once the balloon is full the flame is lit, a giant red flame, and the balloon strains upward.
We scramble into our assigned spots and assume our landing position..... hold firmly onto the rope in front of us, squat down knees bent with back and head pressed against the wall of the basket behind us.The balloon rises into the sky as the sunrise lights up the horizon.
It is peaceful, quiet, calm. Colored balloons dot the vista and we sail on.... over the countryside with its small farms - donkeys graze in small fields, two camel trot down a dusty country road. The desert stretches out below with verdant green strips alongside the Nile grow feed for the animals alongside of agricultural crops. Beyond the Sahara stretches toward dusty mountains.
We pass over the Valley of the Kings where Egypt's ancient pharaohs were laid to rest in pursuit of the afterlife. We pass over dilapidated houses and abandoned ruins.
The morning sky turns a beautiful blue and the day has begun. Slowly and ruefully we begin to sink down toward earth. Our capable captain eyes a spot of grassy field with a narrow dirt road. "That is where we will land" he says and skillfully drops down on the tiny road as neighbouring children run through the fields toward us, hoping for a few pounds.
This was an amazing way to start a day and one I will not soon forget.
Come With Me as we visit the Valley of the Kings and experience 40 degree weather......
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