The list of things that can drag me out of a nice warm and comfortable bed before 7 am in the morning is rapidly decreasing. Stunning sunrises, bucket list worthy activities or spending time in the company of some lovely women all qualify. Ballooning did just that!
Early morning mist in La Garrotxa
The prospect of all three of these found me standing in a Catalan field with low lying mist swirling around the trees and the sky almost orange against the surrounding hills. It was cold here the flat bottomed valley forming a cold air sump, some of the girls were already sheltering in a small van.
Our chariots take shape
“sheer exhilaration and gamut of emotions”
Hot air ballooning has always been a dream for me, having only taken a tethered ‘flight’ and parachuted from one in training previously. Describing a dream is often difficult and the words and images from this post will likely fall short of expressing the sheer exhilaration and gamut of emotions that I experienced during the realisation of this dream.
The pilots were busying themselves preparing our chariots of fire seemingly oblivious to anything but the task in hand. Gradually the huge hairdryers which were pumping air into the flimsy fabric balloons brought shape to them until they resembled giant neon garlic bulbs.
Our sister balloon almost ready
I was not feeling any anxiety whatsoever, only anticipation and excitement. The experience of height is something I exult in, revelling in the feeling of exposure, a rock face or parachute silk are some of my sanctuaries.
Our pilots were finishing off the last minute preparations, providing short blasts of hot air into each balloon and ensuring all the equipment was safe and working correctly. Taking advantage of this I explored the field getting a few more images from different angles, the mist now quite thick around my feet, resembling ethereal treacle.
Firing up the balloon
Soon we were ready to go, climbing into the basket, there was little time wasted, it was not exactly lift-off. Drift-off may be a more accurate description; we gently floated into the air and quickly gained height until we were far above the other balloon, the ground receding below us.
As our altitude increased everything on the ground began to take on a toy like quality, people vehicles, trees and even houses become miniaturised. Initially it appears to be very quiet but with a little prompting from our pilot to listen carefully it is possible to hear the wind gently blowing through the trees and dogs barking. Sounds drift up to us quite easily, and are easy to hear once attuned to listening for them.
The other balloon was quickly way below us
“drifting like a cloud”
We are travelling surprisingly fast, drifting like a cloud in a flimsy willow basket below a huge air filled globe of sheer fabric. Our pilot obviously realised we had become accustomed to drinking cava whatever the situation and we are soon enjoying a breakfast of cava and cake.
The views that drift before us are simply breathtaking in the clear morning, light which is apparently always the best for ballooning. Extinct volcanoes are way below us, small copses, cultivated fields, villages and larger towns all change their character as the morning light changes.
The hues of the sky gradually changed from the early golden yellow to dusky pink and finally becoming an azure blue as the sun finally began to overtake us. The mist was also beginning to clear except for the most stubborn patches clinging in the isolated hollows. This made everything appear a little hazy as if looking through a sheet of perspex and providing the experience with a suitable dreamlike quality.
The only slight disturbance to the reverie was the constant sound of camera shutters as everybody in our willow haven attempted to capture every single awe inspiring vision that appeared before our eyes. We drank cava and ate cake high in the sky, chatted amicably and gasped occasionally at a particularly impressive vista. Our pilot provided a calm narrative, not intrusive but informative acting as our guide pointing out anything of interest as we floated by.
More than worth an early start
“giant sheet of fabric just a few millimetres thick”
I attempted to retreat within myself just a little wanting to be selfish and soak up each evocative moment, every sublime view, and the whole jaw dropping experience. Ultimately however this did not feel right, it was not only my dream it was something we shared, a common bond forged with the earth far below us and supported by the giant sheet of fabric just a few millimetres thick above our heads. These were my feelings at least.
Abi tweeting the dream
All too soon it was time to descend and we gradually began to return back to earth and reality. The sun now high above us cast the shadow of the balloon onto the ground, watching its progress over fields and passing through buildings was strangely compelling.
We were advised how to ‘brace’ for landing but after several unsuccessful attempts our eventual ‘touch-down’ was exceedingly gentle. The base of our basket basically just ‘kissed’ the ground as the dream came to an end.
The pilot needed to move to a corner of the field the other guys and I were required to get out and lighten the load. The girls took off again but this time only a few feet off the ground and one of the other pilots provided the slightly surreal image of pushing the balloon to the appropriate corner.
Beautiful church in lovely surroundings
“amazing speed and efficiency”
The huge air filled sphere was deflated with amazing speed and efficiency. Within a few short minutes it was laid out flat on the ground and the pilots were already busy squeezing the last remnants of air from it and beginning to fold it up ready for transport.
Suddenly that was that, it was all over, almost rudely awoken from this amazing dream. The emotional high took sometime longer to come down from than the descent from the heavens. The mood in the vehicle returning to base seemed reflective, there was little conversation. Our heads still in the clouds maybe, or perhaps it was just my own feelings that made it appear this way.
Time to snap out of it however, there were still plenty planned for us in Catalan, but first it was time to enjoy ‘breakfast’ and yet more cava.
Very grateful to Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona for organising this trip and to the pilots of Vol de Coloms for providing “the experience of a lifetime”.
My personal enduring memory
Wow- those images are spectacular! What kind of camera do you use (only asking cause thinking of switching brands)
Sounds like a wonderful way to start a day! Great shots, Iain! Morning light always casts a special glow, doesn’t it?
It does indeed Chris and possibly my favourite start to a day ever. Thank you.
Hot air balloon ride is high on my list too in places like Turkey and Africa but this.. this is just breath-taking. Great shots, Iain!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..5 Mouthwatering Meals in Miami
Thank you Kieu it really did feel like a dream and a once in a lifetime experience with so many opportunites for great images.
There was a hot balloon event that I missed in Putrajaya. Must really try to get on one.. before the year is up:) Great post and shots !
I know how determined you can be Ciki in just getting a comment on a site so sure you will get that flight soon, thanks for taking the time to not just comment once but stick with it and do so twice
Iain, I remember watching the hot air balloons from our favorite inn right outside Besalu there – Mas Pitre – and thinking what a magical experience it must be
Now I’m hooked on the idea of ballooning over the chateaux of the Loire Valley, though we went last year and didn’t chase that dream with the little ones along. Anyway, if you are back in that area, I highly recommend Mas Pitre as a home base – we loved it so much we added extra days there!
Thank you Lynn and really hope you get to follow that dream with a hot air balloon flight one day soon. Mas Pitre I will have to remember that.
They have these and fly them at Putrajaya but I have yet to get on one! I must! Giant garlic bulbs.. what a cute way to put it , but yeah!
ciki recently posted..3 Ways to Cool Down, in Pudu!
Thanks Ciki I hope you get a ride in one soon really a special experience as for the garlic bulbs seemed appropriate
That morning dawn shot is lovely. Well done. We’ve got a great tradition of ballooning here in New Mexico and its quickly become one of my favorite things to do.
Thanks Jim they were quite a challenge to take hand held but generally pretty pleased with the results. I can understand your enthusiasm it was a truly memorable experience.
Beautiful shots. Morning light always casts a special glow, doesn’t it? And your shots look very crisp considering the conditions, almost like you were using a tripod.
Wow Lenore that maybe the best compliment of all thank you I am really pleased you liked the piece and the photos
Some truly magnificent photos in this piece, Iain. Love the first photo. Not an easy capture I suspect?
John recently posted..Trail gazing
Thank you John, it was taken hand-held which meant upping the ISO more than I really liked as wanted some of the foreground visible as well as just a bright sky with totally silhouetted trees etc. I was carrying a ziplock tripod which would have been ideal, but as always time did not really allow for its use.
Sounds like a wonderful way to start a day! The only thing that makes me nervous is the “flimsy willow basket.”
TravelDesigned recently posted..Time to Celebrate FriFotos
Lol Stephanie, well willow is obviously not the sturdiest of materials, but it the basket is plenty sturdy enough and this is still thoroughly recommended, you will love it.
Looks awesome, Iain. I think I’d follow your advice on NOT looking directly down though
Hjortur recently posted..Speed record to the South Pole – Arctic Trucks sets new world record
Hey Hjortur it is certainly awesome, but I think a balloon flight over your own volcanoes would be even more impressive,just have to look directly down then
Hot air ballooning is also on my bucket list. Sounds like an amazing experience for you. The photo of the morning mist of so dreamy. Nice post, Iain. — Michelle
my. recently posted..PLAYA RESTAURANT (dineLA) — LOS ANGELES, CA
I hope you get to tick it off your list soon Micelle, it really is an amazing experience, if not actually once in a lifetime very special indeed, glad you enjoyed it.
What an incredible experience Iain, a hot air balloon ride is something I have always dreamed of doing – I hope I can soon! The photos in this post are just breathtaking, I am in awe!
Katy recently posted..A Secret Garden in Italy
Thank you Katy i hope you get to experience it soon too, it really is one of those once in a lifetime activities that is hard to really do justice to but leaves an indelible mark upon you. Glad you are home safe and sound too.