Breakfast Balloon

Imagine waking up on holiday at 5am, not heading to the airport but sitting in the hotel reception. The early morning atmosphere was strange, with the maid cleaning and her shoes making that squeaky sound against the floor. Nervously biting my nails, I anxiously waited for updates on the driver, worried that my balloon adventure might be cancelled. But then, the moment arrived - 'Your driver is five minutes away!' It was time to fly.

We picked up another couple, and as we drove through the dark streets of Morocco, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The narrow roads, limited visibility from the headlights, and the constant swaying of the car made the journey quite intense. We spotted a deer on the road - a truly unexpected sight. As we arrived at the balloon site, the pilots were busy preparing the hot air balloons, releasing waves of fire into the air to make them rise. It was a mesmerizing sight, with dozens of people filling in waivers, sipping tea, and mentally preparing for the flight. While waiting, I found myself separated from the other couple, sitting in the tent on the sofas. We watched the safety video on the screen, eagerly anticipating the moment when everyone would be ready to go. During this time, two men approached me, offering their video making services for a hundred Moroccan Dirhams. Despite having my Insta360 camera, I decided to accept their offer, knowing they were better equipped and experienced in capturing the magic of the moment. Once the video arrangements were made and everyone was seated, the pilots carefully reiterated the safety instructions. We were then divided into groups and headed towards our assigned balloons.

Climbing into the hot air balloon was a bit uncomfortable, as it was semi-taking off. I even had a funny moment when my arse was unintentionally exposed. For some reason the camera man recorded that and put it in the final cut of the video. But then, it was time for lift-off, and all the discomfort was forgotten. The feeling of ascending into the sky, witnessing the beautiful sunrise, and the breath-taking views below was truly unforgettable. As we floated through the air, weightless and free, the thrilling view of the mountains and fields below stretched out for miles. The fresh breeze and warmth from the balloon's flame above me created a lovely sensation. The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds, casting beautiful rays of light on my face. It was like a magical dance of sunlight. I spotted several balloons in the distance, floating gracefully in the sky. It felt as if God was playfully tossing bouncy balls in the air.

Having returned to the ground, we were given a cute little breakfast and tea that was poured from a metre above the glass. I was literally drinking tea and having them pour me more just to watch them utilise this bizarrely accurate skill, and they agreed, smiling at my random excitement over Moroccan mint tea. Needed to go to the toilet in the car later. I ate next to a couple living in the UK - they were lovely people. Complemented my beard even after the balloon ride after it was dismantled by the wind. Made me smile.