Up, Up and Away!

The great thing about Egypt, is the constant and reliable weather we have. As, it is my last Christmas Day in Luxor for a while, I thought I would take a balloon ride and watch the sun rise over the River Nile.

A 4.30am start, filled me with dread. But the thought of being up over the Theban Necropolis, balanced out any uncertainties I had. I stepped outside the front door and was greeted by a strong wind...No! I immediately thought. We won't fly in this.

The short walk to the Nile, was very quiet. Just a few people running to the Mosque to pray and the odd driver in the coffee shops, killing time, waiting for the tourists to arrive by boat from their hotels on the East Bank.

My initial thoughts were confirmed. It was too windy to fly. Approximately, 5 flights are cancelled a year, due to weather issues and today, Christmas Day, could be one of them. BUT, we waited along with the couple of hundred tourists and the balloons laid out along the ground, waiting to be filled with air from the fans.

After half an hour or so, the sun rose and the first balloon switched on the blowers...yes! We were going up!

I lost count of how many balloons were going up, at least 20, gradually, rising from the ground and gracefully gliding across the Qurna Mountain.

For over half an hour, we rode on the currents that took us over the Assassif Tombs, Temple of Hatchepsut and the Temple of Ramses II, The Ramessium.

This is looking South, the River Nile to the East and the Ramessium Temple to the West. One of the most dramatic contrasts in landscape, due to the land being irrigated. Where it is not, it is simply dust.

Thanks to Hod Hod Soliman Balloons, for a most incredible FLIGHT.

Happy Christmas everyone!