The one with… a sky-high dream, a bumpy landing, and an unexpected feast.
⏰ 5:30 am – The alarm blares, and I’m wide awake instantly. I shuffle to the window, pull back the curtain… and sigh. It’s pitch black, and sleet taps against the glass — it clearly snowed in the night. The thought of getting fully dressed just to be told, “Cancelled again”, is too much. So, in true holiday glamour, I stay in my Grinch pyjamas, fling on a coat, slip on my trainers, and trudge to reception, half-asleep and all hope drained.
The night receptionist? Fast asleep under a blanket on the sofa. I stare at him for a second, wondering whether to nudge him — but guilt wins. I turn around and shuffle back. “It’s grim out there,” I mumble to Rebecca, who’s now also awake. “I really don’t think it’s happening.” We get dressed slowly, no rush. It’s easier not to hope.
⏰ 6:00 am – Round two. I head back to reception. This time, the receptionist is up and alert. “The bus will be here shortly,” he says casually.
“Wait – what?! We’re actually going?”
“Yes. Please wait outside.”
🚌 6:15 am – We’re on the move! The bus arrives and we climb aboard, still a little unsure if this is really happening. There’s a buzz of nervous excitement. A lovely woman from China joins us — she’s clearly a seasoned traveller. From her bag, she pulls out a full breakfast, perfectly packed into little foil containers. Genius. The rest of us? We didn’t even think to bring a cereal bar. Absolute amateurs.
⛰️ 8:30 am – After what feels like an eternity of winding roads and frosted scenery, we arrive at the launch site. Time’s ticking – our airport transfer is at 12:15 pm, and this balloon ride could cut it fine. But there’s nothing I can do, so I decide to just be in the moment. The crew hands out fresh pastries, mini breads and juice cartons while the balloon inflates behind us — the excitement is starting to build.
Clambering into the basket? Let’s just say… it wasn’t our most graceful moment. A lot of awkward shuffling, giggles, and helping hands. Then comes the safety briefing — short and sweet: “When we land, crouch and hold on!” We all laugh. If only we knew how important that tip would be.
🎈 8:45 am – We’re airborne.
Just like that, we lift. The wind stills. The sky opens. It’s as if the world exhales. We glide silently over sculpted canyons, dusted in snow, drifting close enough to the trees to almost brush the tops. It’s utterly magical. Conversation fades as everyone falls into a quiet awe. Some are clutching the basket edge tightly, avoiding looking down… but most are simply soaking it all in.
Only a few balloons are flying today — many were grounded due to the weather. We’re among the lucky few. And wow, do we feel it.
💥 9:20 am – “Brace for landing!”
No time for elegance here. I crouch into Allie’s lap, gripping the rope like my life depends on it. The balloon hits the ground with a jolt, skidding across a rocky field like we’ve joined an off-road rally. We bump. We bounce. We drag. And finally, we stop — upright (sort of), slightly stunned, but laughing in relief. A team runs to steady the basket, and we clamber out, buzzing from adrenaline.
To celebrate? We’re handed a small plastic cup of the fizziest, strangest (in a gross way!), non-alcoholic wine I’ve ever tasted. But we toast anyway, to the sky, to survival, to this once-in-a-lifetime morning. Then come the group photos, complete with souvenir Istanbul T-shirts and grins from ear to ear.
🍳 11:00 am – Back at the hotel, Cristina works her magic and arranges a late breakfast for us. The dining room fills with chatter and warmth as we tuck into eggs, fresh bread, fruit, and hot coffee. After that landing, it’s a well-earned feast. Honestly, it felt like Christmas morning.
✈️ 12:15 pm – Just in time.
Showered, packed, and ready for the long journey home. We won’t land in the UK until midnight, but I’m content. My heart is full.
📸 What a day. What a trip.
From sky-high dreams to wild landings and unexpected kindness, this adventure will stay with me forever. Every moment — the chaos, the calm, the connection — has been golden. Sharing it with such an amazing bunch made it all the more special.
Thank you for coming along for the ride 💛
Until the next one…