About:
Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate is M.S. General
Surgeon (Gold Medalist) by qualification with an experience of 30,000+
operations and is based at Rajkot, Gujarat. He is an avid reader and a
passionate writer. In this blog, he shares his travel experiences and creative
writings.
Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrBhateRajkot
Blog:
Egypt - Day 5
(Hot Air Balloon Ride)
Our fabulous and exciting Nile Cruise journey came to the end at #Luxor today. We were supposed to disembark after breakfast in the morning, but instead, we left for another thrilling experience early morning, at around 04.00am. We had taken packed Vegetarian breakfast (without eggs) and we were heading for the "HOT AIR BALLOON" ride to watch Sunrise from about 500 meters (1600 feet) height. The balloon was to float in air for about 45-50 minutes.
I was unfortunate so far as my four attempts to do hot air balloon ride had failed.
(1) At Pokhara, #Nepal, the balloon ride was closed due to fire accident.
(2) At #Singapore, we got refund on the day of our ride due to bad weather.
(4) At #Goa last month, I was not well on that particular day.
So this time at #Egypt, my wife was praying a lot to God and her prayers worked.
Hot Air Balloon works on a simple principle that as air becomes hot, it becomes lighter and so it goes up in the sky. If such hot air is trapped in a balloon, then the balloon climbs up in the air due to the trapped hot air.
Hot Air Balloon business is a team work. The ground staff collects tourists from various hotels and drops them back at the end. The operation staff do activities of inflation of balloon, explaining precautions to the tourists, telling them to ensure discipline while in air, explaining them what to see and what not to do during the ride etc. One of the operation staff is a pilot who operates the whole balloon ride while others facilitate in take off and landing.
Watch video of our Hot Air Balloon Ride by Clicking Here
Hot Air Balloon ride is done from a ground situated on West Bank of #Nile river while all cruise ships are parked on the east bank. So, the tourists are first picked up in taxi by different staff members from various hotels and cruise, and finally gathered up on the east bank at one place. Then, small boats transfer them to West Bank. Thereafter from the river bank, tourists are transferred in tempo traveller to the ground where about 20-25 hot air balloons are awaiting for them.
Each balloon takes 24 tourists in a basket. The basket is rectangular in shape and has four equal compartments seperated by light wooden partition. The pilot, engine and gas cylinder are located in the centre. The pilot remains in contact with ground staff by wireless device. Six tourists stand in each of the four compartments. There is facility of umbilicus high safe railing to hold. Ground staff helps in taking off. Once you take off, they all tell you "Happy Journey and bye bye"
Then what you feel is a phenomenon which can not be put in words. Watch my video to get a feel of floating in the air and also see how Sun Rise looks at 1600 feet height.
Landing is also a nice thrilling experience. Landing is away from the take off site. From here only our Luxor sightseeing tour started at 06-30am. The taxi and lady guide were ready to welcome us.
Our two more thrilling experiences were at #Hurghada for which I will write soon.
I wish all of my friends get such once in a lifetime memorable experience.
Have a nice time.
- Dr. Bharat Bhate