Fairy Chimneys.
After watching the sunrise, the balloon went straight up, as high as they could take us.
It was fantastic to look out from our gondola and just see the land below us.
After descending, Captain Mike took us into one of the one of valleys that was full of Fairy Chimneys.
Again, we were overcome with the amazing beauty of nature.
The Fairy Chimneys were massive and there was a silence in the morning, that was only really broken by the fire from the hot air balloon being heated and a few of us talking, in hushed tones, about the wonders we were experiencing.
I wonder, now, what kind of thrill, if any, Captain Mike, has as he guides the balloon through the valleys and across the plains? I have a feeling, from watching him as he looked out, he still loves it deeply. He also has a great sense of humor and was able to show his joy by his comments and by pointing out things we might have missed because we were trying to see so much at once.
I can’t imagine how amazing it must be, day after day, to be able to take people up in balloons, see this amazing landscape, and share that with people that see it for the first time.
It has me now interested in learning how to fly a balloon, or a plane, for the first time in my life.
My mom, by the way, just started shaking her head, “No” and telling her husband, “Phillip, why does my son do this to me?”
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- The view from above the Earth.
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- A single balloon drops into the valley.
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- Fairy Chimneys.
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- Fairy Chimneys and balloons.
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- Closer to the Fairy Chimneys.
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- Very close to a massive Fairy Chimney.
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- As we pass by the Fairy Chimney.
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- Since we ducked down into the valley, the sun rose again.
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- Captain Mike. A wonderful pilot with a great sense of dignity and humor.
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- Goreme from high above in the balloon.