The first camp of the Namibia tour was Kwessi Dunes, here viewed from the air when we departed the next day.
We got up at 5AM and were driven about half an hour to the hot air balloon staging area.
That’s the setting full moon.
We were in the lead balloon with Eric, owner of the operation. He was born in the Belgian Congo, but his family left when he was a kid. He built a remote lodge near the dry riverbed here but his house was destroyed in a flash flood. Eric’s new house is in the mountains and he decided to stick to the ballooning as his business.
Inflating the balloon:
The assistant is fastening the top of the balloon. The lid will be released upon landing with drawstrings.
Our balloon now upright:
We are in the basket about to take off with the 3 others still on the ground.
I leaned the camera out for the upward view just before takeoff.
We are aloft before sunrise.
All the balloons are up by sunrise.
Mountains poking above the sand:
After ascending at least 1,000 feet, Eric brought us lower for closer landscape views.
Looking back at the trailing balloons now above us:
In the distance the chase vehicle is leaving a trail of white dust on the road.
Another balloon is now skimming the landscape.
At lower right is the largest lappet-faced African vulture in flight.
Panoramic view:
Our balloon shadow as we approach dunes:
Close up dune views:
Three oryx below us:
Last view back before landing:
As we landed the attendant was not quite there yet, so Eric looked for a volunteer to hold the rope attached to the top. I obliged and jumped out.
The attendant took over in less than a minute, so I ran around to the other side for some pics.
The balloon behind us is releasing the drawstrings to open the top.
Judy Flayderman and I are both taking pics of the champagne brunch spread.
Most hot air ballooning is at sunrise for more stable air, but the timing is great for photographic light.
We got up at 5AM and were driven about half an hour to the hot air balloon staging area.
That’s the setting full moon.
We were in the lead balloon with Eric, owner of the operation. He was born in the Belgian Congo, but his family left when he was a kid. He built a remote lodge near the dry riverbed here but his house was destroyed in a flash flood. Eric’s new house is in the mountains and he decided to stick to the ballooning as his business.
Inflating the balloon:
The assistant is fastening the top of the balloon. The lid will be released upon landing with drawstrings.
Our balloon now upright:
We are in the basket about to take off with the 3 others still on the ground.
I leaned the camera out for the upward view just before takeoff.
We are aloft before sunrise.
All the balloons are up by sunrise.
Mountains poking above the sand:
After ascending at least 1,000 feet, Eric brought us lower for closer landscape views.
Looking back at the trailing balloons now above us:
In the distance the chase vehicle is leaving a trail of white dust on the road.
Another balloon is now skimming the landscape.
At lower right is the largest lappet-faced African vulture in flight.
Panoramic view:
Our balloon shadow as we approach dunes:
Close up dune views:
Three oryx below us:
Last view back before landing:
As we landed the attendant was not quite there yet, so Eric looked for a volunteer to hold the rope attached to the top. I obliged and jumped out.
The attendant took over in less than a minute, so I ran around to the other side for some pics.
The balloon behind us is releasing the drawstrings to open the top.
Judy Flayderman and I are both taking pics of the champagne brunch spread.
Most hot air ballooning is at sunrise for more stable air, but the timing is great for photographic light.
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