“Go/no-go?”
Bagan, Myanmar. November 2019 (11 photos)
This is Part 12 of my posts about Myanmar, and Part 15 of my posts about my near month-long visit to Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.
Should you find yourself in Bagan from about mid October to mid April, one of the options for your travel itinerary is to take a balloon flight over the temples of Bagan. It’s not an essential activity for everyone, but on a personal note I would have seriously regretted not doing it, or if my flight had been cancelled due to adverse weather.
On that note, safety is a major feature of the ballooning process. Each year, experienced balloon pilots from across the world come to Bagan for the ballooning season. At least 4 companies provide ballooning. Each balloon has its own dedicated ground support team. There’s a safety briefing before the flight. Pilots are in constant contact with other pilots and ground teams whilst in the air. Flights are at sunrise and will be cancelled for unfavourable weather conditions.
“We have lift-off”
I’d chosen to fly with a company called Balloons over Bagan, a privately owned company and the first commercial hot air balloon operation in South East Asia. Balloons over Bagan has a fleet of 1944 Chevrolet World War II vintage buses (as above) to pick up passengers before dawn and the bumpy ride to the takeoff zone was a fun experience in itself. I felt like a veteran for this flight, having previously flown in a balloon over Queenstown, New Zealand. That day in Queenstown there were two balloons in the air. This day in Bagan there were more than twenty balloons in the air.
“First glimpse above Bagan”
One can’t control the sunrise, so I will admit I didn’t get the golden dawn light I had hoped for but apart from that it was a great experience. Here are a few photos from my flight…
“Balloons over Bagan”
The aerial perspective is a great way to appreciate the vastness of the more than 2000 temples that remain of more than 4000 temples that were originally built.
“Balloon over Bagan”
“Approaching Dhammayazaka”
“Over Dhammayazaka”
“Dawn patrol”
“Tourists”
They were waving as a greeting. I was waving back as in “get out of the way, you’re photobombing me.”
“Random landings”
“The descent”
Fortunately we didn’t land right on top of those child nuns and monks.
Another way to appreciate the balloons is to photograph them flying low over the temples of Bagan from a suitable ground vantage point, but a lot of luck is required to be at the right spot at the right time. I didn’t get that opportunity.
…..
This is Part 12 of my posts about Myanmar, and Part 15 of my posts about my near month-long visit to Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Great set of images, especially “dawn patrol”.
Thank you very much. The basket was deliberately rotated by the pilot so everyone could get a good view. The light was just right for that shot.
Wow, all those temples!
It’s quite a magnificent sight. It’s hard to comprehend how many temples there are until you get the aerial perspective. Even the resort I was staying at had a temple on its grounds.
Quite a sight!
Indeed.
The horrors of being photobombed by a drab olive balloon! 🙂
Ain’t that the truth! LOL 🙂
What a stunning birdseye view. I am so glad you managed to go. Your photographs are as delightful and breathtaking as always!
When I booked my trip to Myanmar all the hot air balloon spots were taken, and I felt extremely disappointed, especially as I wanted to do it on my birthday. Later in my trip I met a couple who was meant to go on the day I wanted to book for, and they told me how let down they felt when the balloons didn’t fly on that morning. It made me feel sad for them, but better for myself and my ‘missed’ opportunity.
Thank you very much, Jolandi. That’s unfortunate and fortunate for you at the same time. By not getting the booking at all, you probably planned a great holiday and birthday. Safety first, but it would have been more disappointing to you to have a balloon ride cancelled at the last moment on your birthday.
What a joy to see these overhead shots of the temples and especially the pentagon shape. The white lines almost seem to have been designed with that perspective in mind.
Your comment about the safety briefing reminded me of the time I reluctantly went in a glider. The only briefing (when I was in the glider, about to set off) was: Don’t open your parachute in the glider. They are very expensive to repack. In an emergency, step calmly from the plane (!) and wait for a count of ten (!!! – we were not going to be all that high up) before pulling the cord.
Thank you very much. It’s a very different appreciation of the structure of many of these old temples from the air. The geometry and design is quite amazing.
That safety briefing doesn’t exactly inspire confidence! Well, at least you survived the flight without having to open that chute. 🙂
When I did this at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta it was the most fun ever! Great aerial views here 🙂
Thanks. I agree, it’s a lot of fun, and so peaceful up there.
And a bit chilly 🙂
In between blasts of the balloon burner. 🙂
Well that helps a bit 😉
Yep. 🙂
These photos can’t be from this world, the first thought seeing the balloons in the air.Why they have built so many temples near each other’s?
I think there were several reasons, including demonstrating one’s spiritual devotion and generosity. In modern times, people don’t build temples anymore, but donate as much as they can to the temples and monasteries. Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in South East Asia.
I’ve always wanted to fly.
These shots are so heartwarming.
Definitely do it if you get the chance. The scenery and perspective is great. And it is so peaceful floating up there in the sky. Thanks so much, as always.
I bet. I’d love to see Cappadocia like this.
That’s also one of the major ballooning locations in the world, along with locations in Africa. Given the current world travel situation and possibility of local safe travel bubbles, you’ll probably get there well before me.
Oh I doubt it.
Time will tell.
🤞
Great post with wonderful images Lignum Draco!!!
Thank you very much.
Fantastic experience! You do know how to live 🤗💕
Thanks so much, Jo. Life is for living – you’re good at doing that too. 🙂
What beautiful, beautiful pictures! So wonderful!
You’re very kind. Thank you.
Love these aerial views and landscape. I especially like, “First glimpse above Bagan” with all the balloons the same and the 3 temples. What an incredible place and images.
Thank you very much. It was an experience to savour. The sight of all those temples is fantastic.
That looks amazing, Lignum, but I’m not much for heights so I’ve never been sure if I’d enjoy a balloon ride. I am, however, thrilled that you took one and I could see the photos of it. What I like most of all is the contrast between the balloons and the ancient temples and buildings on the ground. 🙂
janet
Thanks, Janet. I realise heights aren’t for everyone so I’m happy to take you up there virtually. It’s an amazing perspective.
It certainly is!
🙂
What a view! Really takes my breath and gives me another perspective on those fantastic temple architectures.
Indeed, it’s an incredible sight, floating low above those numerous temples.
As always, amazing images!
Thank you very much.
Just spectacular. That temple looks like a mandala from the air.
Thanks. That’s a very apt description.
Absolutely stunning. Thank you.
You’re welcome. Thanks.
great photos, as usual. I was a balloon chaser once. random landings is right. you never know where those things are coming down, especially in the mountains of west virginia.
Thank you. It’s a case of wherever the wind blows. My pilot for the ride was very cognisant of trying to land somewhere where his ground support could reach us without difficulty.
These are great shots, I wouldn’t have passed up the opportunity to do this either.
Thank you. I try to get as much out of the travel experience as I can.
what an incredible incredible experience. I have seen these types of photos before of the balloons and always think what an amazing experience it would be (even with my fear of heights)…so glad you did it and so glad you posted for me to see and read about your experience. Thank you!!
My pleasure. It’s actually very serene floating in the air, above such beautiful landscapes. I have difficulty going near edges/ledges, but ballooning is a different experience I absolutely enjoy.
Riding in a hot air balloon is on my bucket list for sure!
I hope you get the chance to do it. It’s a serene experience.
After seeing your aerial photos, I regret not having taken the balloon. I didn’t know about them when I went, but I saw a single solitary balloon while I was there.
Ballooning as an adventure is particularly suited to Bagan with the thousands of temples around.
UN-believable. Thank you so much for that experience. I’ll NEVER do it, myself, so that counts as a virtual trip 🙂
Thanks for coming along for the ride. Virtual travel certainly broadens our horizons.
Heck of an adventure, that’s something I’ve always wanted to try. Are they able to steer them, or were you just lucky going directly over Dhammayazaka?
Mostly lucky but a lot of pilot skill as well. Hot air balloons mostly go where the wind takes them, but at different altitudes, the wind direction and speed is different, so pilots fly up/down looking for favourable winds. iPads and laptops are essential for pilots these days. There are also several vents at the top of a balloon, and I believe the pilot can selectively open one or a few to gently try to nudge the balloon in a certain direction.
Wow what a way to see Bagan! Wonderful photos Mr Draco, no good for me, I’m scared of heights! 🙂
Thanks very much, julie. The view is very fine up there. That’s for taking the virtual ride along with me.
What a wonderful experience with a special touch of spirituality!
Absolutely. It was a great way to appreciate the vastness of the religious devotion of the peoples of those times.
I think you do sound like a veteran on your second hot air balloon flight. Sounded like this was just another bus ride for you 🙂
Agree it wasn’t the best sunrise but at least it was dry for a take off. The soft light seemed alright and those are some soft dusty shots you got there – in a way capturing the dustiness of life in less developed parts of the world.
Lol you waved back eagerly. It’s lovely the other basket waved at you. They might look tiny in the shot, but I like how you managed to capture the waving very clearly – and that stands out in the image. It’s such a simple, happy scene high up. Well done.
I’d have been very unhappy if that balloon ride had been cancelled because of conditions. Sure, not the best dawn light but it was amazing being up there regardless. Waving – it’s part of the protocol of being a tourist. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Not the best dawn light, but still a hot air balloon ride nonetheless. And you always make the conditions work for you 🙂
Thank you.
Up, up and away! And then back.
Yep.