Hot Hot Air Ballooning

This post opens the the new section of the "WildBron is On", which we will call "unExpected Experiences". It's about what I did not mind before I tried.


- I told you, bring a cap, - pilot shakes his head.
- Yeah, but it was too late.

It was a mid summer in Moscow and we took off for our first in a lifetime Hot Air Balloon flight. We had no idea how it is upstairs "outside the airplane cabin". Wishing to be prepared we prepared everything from Pepsi to warm high-mountain dawn equipment. But everything was not necessary at all. All was left in the ground-escort mini-van. Caps (or hat if you prefer) - the only what we needed. And the only what we did not have.

It's not cold in a sky. Of course, if you will take part in the serious flight on high altitudes you find out that temperature drops a degree per every couple hundred meters, but "normally tourists don't fly too high". Sounds like aphorism. Should remember this.

Soon after boarding we understood why Hot Air Ballooning is called "Hot". It's really hot above your head. Besides I found one more disadvantage of being tall (you know I collect all those funny things like obstructed view in a bus when you stay not having seat): The taller you are the closer is the fire.

Balloon is not a toy in a hands of the wind. Or more correct: it is a toy, but pilot can control how wind plays with it. Everyone asks pilot:
-How do you know where we will go?
There is no steering wheel. But the atmosphere is pretty chaotic and damnly whimsical Lady. Changing the height, pilot is able to catch the wind of the required direction. Our pilot was of real Russian aces, owning the 230 km in a day non-stop flight record, but the only small problem he faced - we did not have wind at all. Nowhere. On all heights. After 1.5 hours of hanging we moved ahead just for around 2km.

Another thing which I knew before and wanted to make sure is: There is no wind when you ballooning. Balloon follows the wind and only some unexpected blows break the impression of a quiet whether. I did not have an opportunity to make sure due to calm weather, but pilot assured me that it's true.

Buoyancy control is everything for Hot Air Ballooning. Remembering the difficulties with my underwater buoyancy control during diving I was surprised how professionals can manage this huge inertial body of the hot air. Keeping 5 centimetres above the ground or the tree-tops is not a problem for professionals but another unExpected Experience for passengers.

I'd now want to try it somwhere above NgoroNgoro. Would you?