Hello, I am back to tell you about the most impressive adventure of 2021, a balloon trip to contemplate the entire landscape of the Sossusvlei region in Namibia.
That day, September 23rd, we got up at four in the morning. We left the hotel to travel at four thirty. A company employee picked us up at the hotel reception. We waited about 15 minutes because one of the guests forgot his mask. We drove about 45 minutes from the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge to the Namib Sky Balloon Safaris Camp.
We arrived and there was already a group of more than 30 tourists. Once again the activity was slowed down because we were waiting for two tourists who did not arrive. Finally we drove in four vehicles to meet at the Namib Sky area where the air balloons were being prepared.
The adventure started by filling the balloons with hot air.
The owner, Eric Hesemans, directed his employees in several languages to fill two balloons with air. We heard him speaking to his employees in Afrikaans and in English. And probably in other African languages. Later we realized that he is a polyglot.
The Assembling of the balloon
Assembling a balloon is not easy. They are made with fabrics manufactured in Spain.
But they are beautiful! The basket is made of wicker. The colours of the balloon are those of the Belgian flag. Eric is from this country, although he was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
When the two balloons were ready, Eric called us all to form two groups. We were the first to climb up the basket, because for security reasons it did not have a door. And so the journey began.
After listening to all the safety instructions we began the journey through the Namibian sky.
Dawn and currents: We don't feel the speed in the air.
The first impression of the trip was to contemplate the earlier rays of the sun. These hot air balloon rides are scheduled to watch the sunrise. We hardly saw it because of the tourists who were late.
Eric explained many things to us about the desert, especially his adventures in the Dunes. Before they flew directly to the Big Daddy Dune. They landed on it once and were unable to get it back to the Namib Sky facility. They left the balloon there overnight. The next morning, they found the balloon carp destroyed by the hyenas. These animals eat everything! Eric told us.
But we flew very close to the dunes. On this trip we learned that there are different air currents. Obviously Eric is a specialist in recognizing them and taking advantage of them for each maneuver in his balloon.
Speed is not felt. It is incredible. Air and balloon merge into a single element. They are a unity. Really with a specialist, you can't be afraid of being at that point.
We obviously saw some animals. Some Oryx and a rabbit. For Eric the animal adventure on the balloon has been Zambia. Safaris by air. That is my dream, to see from the heights the Big Five of Africa.
The journey was about to end. We listened to the recommendations of the landing and the culmination of the trip was to witness the perfection of the landing, since the basket landed right in the vehicle that would transport it to the Namib Sky Lodge. The owner is an expert in this maneuver. Definitely the best decision to have traveled in a balloon through the Sossusvlei desert.
The Breakfast in the desert
Then the vehicles took us to a special area in Sossusvlei. There the company had prepared a brunch for us. Around nine tables were waiting for tourists from all over the world: Brazil, the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and of course, Mexico.
During lunch we had the opportunity to speak with Eric. He told us about all his adventures around the world. He loves Latin America, especially Costa Rica, where he lives part of the year. He has also traveled through Mexico. His Spanish is perfect. His son is married to a Brazilian girl. What an international family!
The food was excellent. The show of opening the champagne with the machete was part of it. Time was up and we returned to the hotel. We will always remember those hours in the Namibian sky. We waited several days to do it because the wind conditions were not appropriate. Luckily our trip was confirmed for one day before traveling to Swakopmund. That was our next adventure through this desert country. Thanks for joining me and until the next adventure!
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