Balloon safari over the Serengeti The entire morning was somewhat surreal, somewhat like Christmas morning, and somewhat like falling in love. We awoke at 4:00 am for coffee and to drive to the launch site. Interestingly, one in our group of five mused whether the early start would be worth it. I am positive she would no longer ponder whether 2 and a half hours of sleep would be better or more valuable than what we saw and experienced. We joined 39 other passengers to bring the whole group to 44. When we arrived, three giant green and yellow balloons lie partially inflated on the ground. The excitement among was tangible - truly a childs Christmas morning feeling. The morning was still and the sunrise beautiful. We could see streaks of light cut through the subdued light of dawn. Our balloon crew competently finished their business, we loaded horizontally into our balloon, and tethered in. Our captains name was Moses and yes he joked about the religious reference to the basket. The balloon filled pulling our basket upright so we could stand. Silently and smoothly we were aloft. We glided over the endless plains, just 10 feet above the ground. This low launch kept us out of the winds and allowed us to get our balloon legs. Slowly we floated towards the river and were treated to great views of the hippo pond. Later and from greater heights we saw a solitary giraffe, many zebra, wildebeest, and antelope. Our basket mates were Italians, so many scenes were exclaimed to be Magnifica and Bellissima. Adjectives which somehow more accurately described our views. Every view was dramatic - not because we hadnt seen it before - but because we were so easily able to see nature from a different perspective. The shadows were long, our views endless, and the full moon shared the sky with three balloons. Nature and adventure merged in the sky above the Serengeti enticing us to fall in love. With life, with love, with nature and each other.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 02:25:34 +0000