An Aussie's travels to air shows, aviation museums and more around the world
Balloons Over Bagan – A Glorious Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
One of the must do experiences in Bagan, Myanmar (if you can afford it) is to take a hot air balloon flight over the temples which were built during the 9th to 13th Centuries. In the dawns early light, balloons started to take flight. I was lucky to be in one of the first to take off, so it made for an impressive sight looking down at the field below covered in so many balloons!
This hot air balloon flight was truly underway over Bagan, Myanmar early in the morning of February 9th, 2018
Seeing the sun rise over the mountains, the temples of Bagan and other hot air balloons from high above was incredible! Taking in that view was a great way to kick off the day!
Here comes the sun!Watching the sunrise from up high with Balloons Over BaganBriefly another balloon was above us following the pre dawn lift off with Balloons Over BaganHigher and higherThe other balloons start to rise above BaganBurn that propane gas!Well worth the 5am start!Sunrise and the temples of Bagan – joy!High above the temples of Bagan in Myanmar
As you are floating about up there, at the mercy of the wind, it is so peaceful. You soon forget that there is nothing to restrain you, just look over the edge of that wicker basket and enjoy the breath-taking view of the temples, the other hot air balloons and the countryside below you!
Drifting upwards – That’s me on the far left – Photo courtesy of Balloons Over Bagan (February 2018)What a view! Photo courtesy of Balloons Over Bagan (February 2018)One happy group of passengers! Photo courtesy of Balloons Over Bagan (February 2018)The heat from the propane gas burner was intense! Photo courtesy of Balloons Over Bagan (February 2018)
When ballooning first started at Bagan, there was just one company and a handful of balloons. As the popularity of visiting Myanmar has significantly increased, so have the balloons. Today there are at least 3 companies operating with many hot air balloons at Bagan! Despite this, it never felt too crowded up there and it was cool to see them all flying at once.
So many balloons!Quite a sight!Drifting high above BaganOne of the many Balloons Over Bagan in February 2018Balloons Over BaganA grand view of the grand temples of BaganWhat a morning!Images like this make me reminisce and smile about the hot air ballooning experience over Bagan in February 2018Looking across the temple scape of Bagan from high aboveOne of the many temple complexes in BaganThe 12th Century Dhammayazika pagoda which I had explored on foot the day beforeHigh over the 12th Century Dhammayazika pagodaOn top of the world!Embrace the sunFly high as an eagle
The final stage of this flight will feature in my next post. What goes up, must come down!
6 thoughts on “Balloons Over Bagan – A Glorious Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight”
Wow! What stunning views! I can imagine our health and safety guys would be shaking in their boots seeing how low the sides of the baskets are! A fabulous experience thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Aces Flying High 
Wow! What stunning views! I can imagine our health and safety guys would be shaking in their boots seeing how low the sides of the baskets are! A fabulous experience thanks so much for sharing it with us.
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There were some basic safety instructions but were mostly concerned with the possibility of a crash landing and the need to duck and brace!
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There’s not a huge amount you can do if a ballon comes down I suppose. Thankfully they seem pretty safe.
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Very true!
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Great photos! We had a great light on that day; usually starting from March/April due to the heat the light is too bright to take great photos.
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Thanks. It was a great experience
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