Bagan Balloon

You would not believe how often the very first time I am questioned about my experience, by a passenger, occurs after the Bagan Balloon is already off the ground and hundreds of feet in the air! I have seen this so many times that I have begun to provide humorous answers, in the hope that it will alleviate some of the nervous energy that prompted them to ask the question in the first place. My favorites to "how long have you been doing this?" are "this is my first flight, I'm gonna read that chapter on landing tonight!" Or "this is my third flight and on the advice of my attorney, I can't talk about the first two." A little gallows humor for sure, but it does seem to lighten the mood and reduce the first few moments of anxiety that every first time passenger feels. The fact of the matter is once you're aloft, you have no place to go but along for the ride. You are probably better off to not to ask any questions; you may not like what you hear and the answer won't affect the outcome. That is unless you have chosen a rookie pilot and you distract him or her from flying the Bagan Ballooning with your questions - now that could affect the outcome! I hope you will find this article informative and use the knowledge to find a safe and confident pilot flying for a reputable company to provide your adventure. This is the third and final article in a series to educate the consumer on how to choose an experienced hot air balloon ride company. This part will provide you with the questions to ask before you purchase a ride and before you climb aboard for a flight. More importantly, it will provide you with the tools necessary to interpret the answers that you receive; permitting you to make an informed purchase. In the first article, How to Choose an Experienced Hot Air Balloon Ride Company and Not Just a Broker, I explained the difference between a hot air balloon "operator" and a hot air balloon ride "broker." To quickly recap, a balloon ride operator owns and operates the balloon that you will actually fly in. They are in business to both sell and provide the ride. A balloon ride broker does not own any balloons and is in business to sell you only a gift certificate or flight voucher. In Part 2, Operator or Broker, the reader was given information on how to quickly tell the difference between an operator and a broker in a web search. If the differences are unclear to you or if you are uncertain why you should deal directly with an operator vs. a broker, I suggest you spend a few minutes reading about it here, in ezine or you may find the articles in their entirety on my website by clicking the link located in the biography at the end of this article. Sir Richard Branson and his well-publicized Atlantic and Pacific crossings and numerous round the world attempts. All kept hot air balloons in the public eye.The successful round the world flight of Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard caught the imagination of millions.

Bagan Ballooning operators in Africa have made magic carpet rides over the Serengeti and Maasi Mara ecosystem possible for many thousands of people. Perhaps this is why the people of Britain voted hot air ballooning as the number 7 thing to do before you die! A poll that certainly caused an upward blip in the number of passengers flown in the UK. Modern technology has also made taking a passenger ride in a hot air balloon much safer. Advanced burner designs, giving more powerful flames. Much better pilot lights that keep burning. Baskets especially designed for the carriage of passengers. Above all modern fabrics that are not only stronger but more able to combat the effects of Ultra Violet Light and mould and mildew. Yes the Bagan Balloon just like your tent if you get it wet, rots. At this point I should admit that I am a hot air balloon pilot. Ballooning has been kind to me and taken me to all points of the globe.