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Published: March 3rd 2012
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A Load of Hot Air
17,000 kilograms of it in fact.
Our last day in Port Douglas and the hot air balloon flight had been rearranged for today. Pick-up at 4:20am (aaargh) we were driven out to the Atherton Tablelands, a raised plateau (1000m above sea level) of fertile land and the major agricultural area of the region.
On arrival, there were 4 huge balloons already inflated and ready to go (it was still dark as the plan was to see sunrise from the air). There were about 20 people in each basket, all of them Japanese and Chinese, except for the pilot, who was South African. The pilot’s name was Johanne, but I will refer to him as Mr Annoying Shouty Man from now on (see video clip and you will understand why).
A few squirts of the burner (not often you get the chance to say that) and we were off.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been ballooning, but one of the great things about it is that, apart from sound of the occasional squirt of the burner, it’s peaceful and serene as you are just floating with the wind.
Well, it
would have been, if not for Mr Annoying Shouty Man who, when he wasn’t squirting his burner, was busy annoyingly shouting things.
That aside though, the ride was fantastic and we had a great view of the area. Sky was quite cloudy do not much sunrise to see, but still, the mists over the plains and mountains was beautiful. All too soon it was over (as we realised we had erroneously only booked the 30 minute flight) and we were returned to Earth in one of the gentlest balloon landings we’ve ever had (we’ve done it four times now).
And we were back in time for breakfast too, which meant we had the whole day to just chill and blob out.
For our last night in Port Douglas we’d booked a meal in a gourmet restaurant that was outdoors in the rainforest. I can’t tell you what it was like, sitting out in the jungle, under the stars, surrounded by exotic wildlife (no mossie bites on account of extremely good repellent). Perhaps some poetry:
Spanner Crab, Tiger Prawns
Lobster and Duck
A bottle of Shiraz
To occasionally suck
Herb Crusted Fillet
Then Brulee for pud
Another Shiraz?
(Not sure that we should)
Fantastic surroundings
The stars and the moon.
Six pieces of cutlery
And one single spoon.
Another Shiraz?
Go on then why not.
It’s very nice wine
We like it a lot
One more for the road
Be careful, don’t spill
Quick, run for the exit
Cos here comes the bill.
(see
http://www.nautilus-restaurant.com.au/ - the taster menu).
“But – what if it rains”, did I hear you say ?
Well, it did, and at a press of a button, a canvas tent-like roof unfurled above us. The cutlery got slightly damp is all.
Anyway, it was the perfect end to a perfect week. (I’m not allowed to publish the videos we took of the evening - Moi says she’ll sue me if I do - except for one she took of me, which I think sums things up the evening quite nicely).
In Melbourne now. It’s overcast and drizzling and it’s not that warm. Mmm, seems familiar . . .
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