India, Rajasthan Jaipur

"My husband and I have shared many daring ventures together, but this was something really special. What I loved about this ride was the fact that it was both peaceful and exhilarating at the same time.

We took this ride with Skywaltz Hot Air Ballooning Company. Their Balloon ride Captain was really good. He calmly explained how hot-air balloons function, the safety measures and our probable flight path that morning. I guess that meant it depended on the current wind direction. He aptly told us ""Hot air from this propane fuelled burner in the basket fills the balloon, (they call it 'the envelope'). And as everyone knows, hot air rises."" Then I saw the giant balloon fill up and we were invited to climb in the basket. With a roar from the burner, and a gentle creaking of the wicker basket we were lifted into air. We went up softly and gently from the ground.

We saw the first rays of sunlight spread across the fields below. As we began to rise, we seemed to leave our stress and worries behind. It was really exciting. I peered down at the spectacular landscape and felt like floating in a magic carpet. I would say "wow"! Though no words can really describe the feeling we felt. They really made us feel like royalty. "