Had to put the photo already on Sunday. We were busy on leaving to the summer cottage so I didn't have time to tell about it. So on saturday we went to the hot-air balloon trip. We met at Malmi airport at 7pm where we got on a minibus, 14 people+pilot. Destination Tontunmäki in Espoo. There were already three other balloons.
First everything out of the van, the basket, gas bottles, burner (?) and the balloon. All this weighs 1000 kg. It took about half an hour to get everything ready but we had to wait for the wind to calm down a bit. It was 8pm when we jumped into the basket and took-off. The moment was incredible when all four balloons were side by side about to rise, sun was shining and 30 m high balloons full and quiet.
We flew about 400m high over Espoo to the east, over Kalastajatorppa and Pikku-Huopalahti heading to the nature reserve in Vanhankaupunginlahti. Weather was perfect, warm and clear. You don't feel the wind when going by the wind. View was amazing, breath-taking. People were cheering down on earth and you hear everything. Only noise comes when the burners are on and balloon is rising. It almost burns hair of your head but it lasts only ten seconds or so. We were in the air for an hour and got to Mellunmäki about 40 km from where we started.
Getting down was another story. It wasn't so easy and first try did not succeed, had to rise again and head to the next field. Basket hit to the treetops, birches bent and we managed to get down safely to a field full of late dandelions. Exciting landing!
Then we packed all the stuff into the van and had sparkling wine and picnic on the sunset. It was 11pm when we got back to Malmi.
Ballooning is fun! Nice, quiet way to travel and get to know your neighborhood. Only problem is that you only go where the wind takes you. Navigating is done by changing the height. Flying is possible early in the morning or at night, daytime the thermal air flow is too much for the balloon. Interesting and lovely trip! Thank you for the birthday present, Jouni!
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