It’s been a moving and turbulent few weeks. Things are happening at lightening pace and it’s taking up a lot of energy and emotions to keep up! I am keeping the trusted camera at my side at all times just so that I can capture the moments. I’ll be going back when things have slowed down and sort out all the thoughts and feelings later.
My parents and brother were here last week – a great week, which climaxed in our vow renewing ceremony. What a blast – even better than any original wedding. If it goes on like this the next one in 10 years will be outrageous. LOL!
Before that however, we took a ride of a lifetime. For Tom’s 40th birthday, early April, his friends and I pitched in for a hot air balloon ride. What I did not know, our friends also pitched in for me. So on Mother’s Day weekend Tom and I arrived at 6 AM to the fields where we were going to be taking off from.
We were assigned our pilot and helped to set up the balloon. Not long after that 13 balloons lifted off – an incredible feeling!
I won’t waste too many words on this as pictures speak louder than words – just come along with me and enjoy flying high with us!
Early in the morning – we helped the pilot and his team set the balloon up. I was so overwhelmed by the different impressions. Being so early there was a wonderful peaceful tranquility in the air. The field was still moist from the morning dew and everyone worked like clockwork to get their balloons ready for the spectacular ride.
Our pilot was a professional and has been doing this for 20 years. We took off fairly quickly to get a breathtaking view of the other balloons as they lifted off. 
Once up I was stumped at the breathtaking view of the red roofed houses, churches and the yellow rape-seed fields against the green forests. The day could not have been better. not too warm and perfect blue clear skies.
It was extremely handy having an experienced pilot. He told us many stores and gave us handy tips. The best however was that he was able to guide the balloon so perfectly. which allowed me to get several incredible shots.
Tom and I have wanted to do this for a very long time now. The moment seemed perfect – looking at the beautiful country we’ve been living in from the top – one last time before we say goodbye.
Generally the ride was for 1.5 hours but as we chatted with the pilot and his wife we mentioned we were going to be leaving Germany, to which he kept us up for another half hour. I wish we could have been up there all day long, but all good things come to an end.
With champagne and an ennoblement of Duke and Duchess of the Yellow Fields of Apolda we ended the trip.
It’s back to packing and clearing out for us. Tom’s last week here in Weimar before he hands in his dissertation and heads on over to Essen to begin his new job on the 1st June. Mid June he will then take off for Doha! Time is flying too fast!
All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2009 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First
What a breathtaking experience! A memory to last a lifetime :) Er, what were you ennobled with? :P
ReplyDeleteHey thats wonderful that you got to experience it.
ReplyDeleteWe too have had the luck of chancing on these gigantic ballons last year.
Hope you have a safe move. Take care
Navita
lovely pictures and I am so happy you had such a good time.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an experience!!! Lovely and unforgettable :D.
ReplyDeleteLife is about this things... isn't it?
Lovely pictures Meeta..Good to know you had a great time!..where is your son?
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking pictures and wonderful experience.Wishing you a safe move.
ReplyDeleteO Meeta!! The pics are so breathtaking!! It was a lovely way to say goodbye to Weimar.
ReplyDeleteWhat an experience of a lifetime! Your pics are wonderful Meeta!
ReplyDeleteLooks like so so much fun!! Really beautiful photographs, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! It looks like you had the time of your life...
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Glad to know you had a wonderful time :-)
ReplyDeleteReally an experience of a lifetime. And a wonderful memory you'll always have.
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular way to celebrate your time in Germany, and to "lift off" to the next adventure in Doha!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures meeta..wonderful experience
ReplyDeleteWow Meeta the pictures shows what a wonderful time you had, the though makes me give goosebumbs, i would love to expirience this .
ReplyDeleteHave a safe move.
Dear Meeta,
ReplyDeletelovely pictures! really breathtaking!!!!!U r taking some wonderful memories of weimar to doha....my best wishes to ur family and good luck for ur future....
regards,
Veda
What an awesome experience it must have been! I am such a chicken to do this, while my hubby loves it! Here in our little town we have a hot air balloon festival every single year & I still haven't done it:-(
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to bid 'adieu' to Germany, your home all these years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip that must have been! Thank you for sharing it with us. I now want to fly :D
ReplyDeleteNot everybody gets a ride in a balloon. It must be a lovely experience. Lovely pictures Meeta and thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeletePriceless!
ReplyDeleteI bet you have so much fun!!!!!
ReplyDelete-Green
www.ahacook.com
Wow! Such breathtaking pictures!! Glad that you had such an awesome time.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Meeta!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, Meeta!
ReplyDeleteAwesome experience! Glad you had a good time. I love all the photos.
ReplyDeletePaz
Meeta the photos are breathtakingly beautiful! What a poignant way to mark the end of a season and also celebrate 10 wonderful years of marriage!
ReplyDeleteanks everyone for all your comments, well wishes and lovely words. we did have a ball and am glad i was able to share a little bit of the fun we had with you!
ReplyDeleteWOO HOO..what an awesome experience! The photos are breathtaking, a most memorable I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteA trip of a lifetime Meeta...& well worth every second. Beautiful pictures & breathtaking views. Am glad you were able o do soemthing so spectacular! Hugs to you...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun, fun day Meeta! :) Very happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSo can we call you Duchess now? Thanks for sharing your ride with us--I've always wanted to ride in a hot-air balloon!
ReplyDeletelisa you may! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow what an amazing time! Great pictures, I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon! These will definitely be amazing memories to last a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteEssen! Thats where my sweetie is from. How fun and what an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteAh that looks amazing! My parents and I have been talking about taking a balloon ride for years now. I think it's time to make it happen!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. It must have been great taking in all the countryside and that too at this juncture where you are leaving Germany
ReplyDeleteAll the best with the move
what a thrilling farewell,hope you find the new place just as exciting and wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience Meeta. We ghave my parents this gift for their 50th wedding anniversary.
ReplyDeletethat looks magnificent, Meeta! Wonderful pictures and so colorful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to spend a day!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking experience.....
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience and with gorgeous photos to match! :)
ReplyDeletelovely pics Meeta. Best of luck with the (always so hectic) move!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and amazing experience! And as you said, the timing was so poignant too! Also, nice to see a photo of you and Tom :) I remember when I went up a hot air balloon in Switzerland...truly unforgettable! I only wish you were there as your photos are so much better than mine were! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the rest of the packing!
It looks like you had an absolute blast up high in the sky Meeta! I love the photos too! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience, Meeta! Your pictures are absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteOh, how positively whimsical!
ReplyDeleteIt must be really tough saying good bye to so many happy memories - the balloon ride must have been such a great experience and timed so perfectly! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck for the next phase in your life!