While in Chicago, I am 100 percent a creature of habit. I have my favorite workout classes, favorite lunch spots, and I even stop at the same coffee shop for my iced cold brew every morning. However, when on the road, I always find myself going wayyyy outside my comfort zone. Exhibit A: Hot Air Ballooning in Dubai.
I am terrified, let me reiterate TERRIFIED, of heights… and flying. So how exactly did I find myself in a hot air balloon over 5,000 feet above the ground (yes, they go that high)? Enter my Dad.
From day one of trip planning, my dad insisted on a hot air balloon adventure. He also might have stretched the truth “a little” with statements like “Oh, they don’t go much higher than 1,000 feet.” So I blindly agreed.
The Adventure
The day of the adventure, we found ourselves in the Dubai Desert at around 5am in complete darkness. The tour operators were stretching out the large balloons, giving us safety instructions, and walking us through what the morning would look like. After gracefully climbing into the basket, we were off.
Watching the balloon fill with air and take flight was absolutely fascinating. During our flight, we were able to witness falcons diving off the hot air balloons, as well as get a bird’s eye view of the Dubai desert. ABSOLUTELY UNFATHOMABLE.
The craziest part of the entire experience was the landing. Or a more appropriate name: The controlled crash landing. Fun fact: Pilots cannot control where a balloon will land; it is all dependent on the wind. Essentially you are waiting for the basket to come in contact with the ground. And voilà, you’ve landed.
Upon landing, Platinum Heritage, was waiting with cars; ready to bring us to a breakfast in the middle of the desert in another location. Note: I cannot recommend this tour operator enough. Their professionalism, quality of tours, and uniqueness blew us away.
Would I do it again? Maybe. Heights still terrify me. Would I recommend everyone to do it at least one? Absolutely. It was the MOST INCREDIBLE sunrise we witnessed in the UAE. And strangely, there’s something peaceful about flying in such a simplistic manner.
Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
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