Re: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

That photo of the hot air balloon over the plains is so beautiful and that the photography "rule of thirds" was used.

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

Yes, we have been in a hot air balloon several times. We went in a tethered balloon here in our Philly zoo a few times (gone now--very nice views, but crowded and short), and then once we went on an extensive semi-private flight with just two other people of several hours when we were in New Mexico.

It is very peaceful and lovely to float slowly up there in the sky, looking at the world below. However, the gas is a bit noisy, and it smells. The pilot has to monitor everything and the chase car follows you. It is a little difficult to step out of the basket when you land, and then to help fold up the balloon takes some time. We went a few decades ago and paid hundreds of dollars, and prices have only gone up.

I did have a friend who had gotten her balloon pilot's license, and she was talking about everything she had to learn how to do.

Life is full of risk, and DH and I like action-packed activities, and we want to try different things at least once. We have also gone parasailing ( a similar experience), and we hope do do a tandem paragliding flight this WInter.

I would recommend trying a tethered flight just to say you have done it. They are much safer, shorter, cheaper, and easier to manage.

World Traveler · ‎02-02-2015

@JudyL wrote:
@World Traveler wrote:
I have taken a couple of hot air balloon rides and loved it. It was exhilarating!

Both times were in Africa. Drifting over a herd of elephants or other wild life was pretty awesome at the crack of dawn.

Had to sign a waiver, was weighed (to make sure the total weight of all passengers didn't exceed a certain amount), and then instructed how to position ourselves when we land.

I believe I paid around $250, but am not sure; it was a few years ago.

The entire ride was around one hour. Everyone was asked to help spread out the balloon as it was being filled with hot air; and we also helped after landing to gather up the balloon to put it and the basket we stood in onto a trailer.

I love adventures, so I would do it again! Go for it! Skydiving is fun too.
@World Traveler

Ahhhh, I bet I know where you were and with what travel company you were with. LOL Was going to do a hot air balloon ride on my trip to Africa (probably on the same trip you took) too, then Covid hit and didn't go.

@JudyL YUP! You guessed it! I hope you try to go again. One of the best trips I ever took! Well, that trip and the one to Rwanda to track gorillas.

Hope all is well with you. Happy trails to a fellow traveler who knows the benefits of seeing the world, meeting new people, and getting to know other cultures!

Lisa now in AZ · ‎03-11-2010

This was on my bucket list for a long time, and I was finally able to do it last month. I had it scheduled for last September to do a sunrise hot air balloon in beautiful Sedona, AZ, but the night before it was supposed to happen, it was cancelled due to weather. But, some friends of mine wanted to go, so we had a girls' trip and it was incredible. It was so quiet and peaceful (unless they were adding flames to change the direction).

There were 16 people in the balloon (4 sections of 4), plus the pilot in the middle. And, there were 5 or 6 balloons going up the same day. Plus, there was a guy there who had himself tied to a chair and he went up, too! But, he was NOT from our company. Two of my friends didn't think they would be able to climb in using the footholes, so they were able to crawl in while the balloon was on its side being filled, and then when the balloon basket started turning right-side up, they just stood and they were in their places. I personally think it would have been harder to crawl in than step up and in.

When we landed, we had the typical celebratory champagne, and my friends bought me a Balloon Ride Bucket List tee shirt since I set the trip up.

The cost was $350 per person. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The only bad part was that sunrise was early and we had to be there by 4:30 a.m.