I’ve always wanted to see the sunrise from a hot air balloon and this morning I did it…. only one word: “awesome”. We set off at 5am – the night sky was amazing and we started with some star spotting: Southern Cross and Orion were visible and the milky way could clearly be seen, also Venus low on the low horizon.

Then it was time to get the balloon ready and climb aboard, so we would be floating as the sun come up. It was pretty windy this morning, so it was not an entirely smooth take-off but soon we were floating above the outback, kangaroo spotting and watching the sunrise. Once up off the ground, it was a pretty smooth flight – you don’t feel how the strength of the wind once you are flying. Apart from the sound of the burners every now and then, it was incredibly peaceful and surprisingly quiet.

There was another balloon up with us this morning, and it was great to watch their progress across the sky ahead of us.

We flew for almost an hour and sadly it was soon time to come in to land. When there isn’t much wind, the basket should come down pretty gently. Unfortunately, because it was windy, our landing wasn’t quite so graceful. As you land, each person faces the centre of the basket, leans on the padded side of the basket and grips the rope on the other side of the basket tightly. We bounced a couple of times before coming to a stop, then the combination of the wind and the weight of the balloon, gently tipped the basket over and we were suddenly lying horizontal to the ground rather than standing – much less dramatic than it sounds – actually a lot of fun. We then had to crawl out one by one and the flight was over.

As is the custom with hot air ballooning, we celebrated our safe-landing with a champagne breakfast… if only every day started with a hot air balloon ride followed by a very tasty champagne, apple and guava juice cocktail. This is me and Christina enjoying our drinks – spot the matching Roots sweatshirts (iconic Canadian brand – Christina is from Toronto!).

I loved this experience – perhaps I’ll get a hot air balloon for Christmas instead of a helicopter!!

Not long after I met Mr T. I wrote this in my journal and then copied it into my first ever online travel blog – not many people read it at the time, but it is still there if you go looking.

Alice Springs, Australia, 16th April 2008, Big Trip 2008