Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Must-Do"
Ballooning over Morocco
Unusual but easily identified flying objects have been drifting through the Moroccan skies since 1990… enormous multi-coloured bubbles can be admired as they float across the sky to the north of the Palmeraie of Marrakesh or almost anywhere in the Deep South of Morocco.
These ‘bubbles’ are hot-air balloons owned by the CIEL D’AFRIQUE company which has one aim – to allow visitors to appreciate the glories of the Moroccan countryside from the privileged viewpoint of the basket of a hot-air balloon.
Almost every morning since 1990, an intriguing scene unfolds: just after the sun rises (a hot-air balloon flight – worth getting up early for!). A splendid 4WD TOYOTA HDJ 100 arrives at your hotel – comfortable leather seats and the smooth ride in this outstanding vehicle are a fitting introduction to a unique adventure.
For first timers, the flight begins the night before with the dreams and worries that usually precede such a singular experience.
On arrival at the flight area, a take-off point is chosen by releasing a small helium balloon for a hot-air balloon cannot be steered – it goes wherever the wind takes it.
Now there is no time for worrying – everyone is much too busy. First the equipment needs to be unloaded and here is the first surprise – lighter than air but actually very heavy.
The burners and their bottled gas are loaded into the basket then the burners are lighted to test them … no leaks? … Correct pressure? Everything is going well.
The basket is laid out on the ground and then the canvas (35 metres long – immense) is taken out of its bag and attached to the basket – and we are proud to say that this balloon is one of the largest in the world!
The parachute panel is closed, everything has been thoroughly checked – inflation can begin. A powerful fan sends torrents of cold air into the balloon of the hot-air balloon, and the canvas seems to come alive in a series of rippling multi-coloured waves.
Once the canvas envelope is properly inflated, taking on a semi-spherical shape, the ballooner lights the burner and heats the air imprisoned in the envelope. Helpers open the mouth of the balloon as wide as possible so that the six-to-seven metres high flame can penetrate the balloon without endangering the Nylon.
During this stage other helpers hold the hot-air balloon down by holding the crown rope (the rope attached to the top of the balloon). The more the ballooner heats the balloon the more hot-air balloon tries to rise up. We have to pull with all our strength to control this phase of the inflation, until finally the balloon rises up to a majestic vertical position.
Then we finish the preparations by testing the parachute panel, setting the instruments on the control panel and checking the radio …. and then the passengers can board.
The ballooner continues to heat the air in the balloon, waiting until the temperature reaches around 100 degrees Celsius at the top of the balloon (the temperature varies in accordance with the load, the surrounding temperature and the age …. of the balloon).
We begin to feel twitches as if a sleeping giant were slowly awakening and coming to life.
Finally the pilot gives the order to ‘let go’.
The helpers let go of their ropes all at the same time, allowing the hot-air balloon to rise up in the air.
Everyone holds their breath. It is a magical moment. It is a marvellous sight for those who stay on the ground, and for the passengers it is an intensely beautiful and moving moment.
The delicious sensation of floating through the skies attached to a bubble of hot air soon sweeps away any feelings of surprise at the vertical take-off.
The tension that may have filled the hearts of first-time flyers disappears, their hands unclench and let go of the edge of the basket and they begin to exclaim at the beauty of the experience “How lovely this is, how smooth, I didn’t even realise we’d taken off!”
During the balloon flight passengers ask myriad questions and steep themselves in the beauty of Morocco from above while enjoying the delicious sensation of having left all their daily concerns far below. Seen from the skies, everything is more beautiful and everyone takes their proper place and importance (your bank, the taxman, your boss).
When he took his first balloon flight on December 1st 1783, the physician Charles summed up the feeling as follows: MORE THAN PLEASURE – PURE BLISS
But We must not forget that we will have to go down again. The pilot chooses a flat area and begins the approach after having first explained to the passengers what they should do as the balloon touches down.
If the air is still, the landing is incredibly gentle (a ‘kiss landing’). If it is windy, the basket will be dragged across the ground for a few yards.
Nevertheless, the flight is far from over. We need to fold the canvas up and load it onto the vehicle that miraculously appear in the right place at the right time (… or they may have lost track of us, in which case we will have to look for them … and that is part of the fun of ballooning too).
Next, what could be better than a glass of mint tea and a chance to talk about the flight? And that’s why a 4WD vehicle takes everyone into one of the small villages we have seen from the air so that visitors can experience that marvellous Moroccan hospitality as they munch on a home-made biscuit or a slice of bread dunked in olive oil.
And then … what everyone has been waiting for (for some it might seem to be very reason for the flight) … diplomas are awarded and each passenger goes home with a certificate to show to their friends so that they can say “I was there”.
HOT-AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS
1/ Where?
Our balloon flights pass over the zone to the North of the Palmeraie of Marrakesh, between the Tensift0 wadi and the Jibilets hills. We fly over Berber villages and drift over the palm trees with the city of Marrakesh in the distance and as a backdrop to the whole scene, the Atlas Mountains to the South and the Jbilets to the North..
2/ When?
Every day, book in advance {+212 (0)524 43 28 43 or +212 (0)661 13 70 51}.
3/ What time?
For aeronautical reasons, balloon flights always take place early in the morning. Passengers leave their hotels at about six a.m. according to the season. We will confirm the exact time when you book.
4/ How long?
The flight itself takes about one hour, but with the addition of the little tour in a 4WD vehicle and a glass of tea with a local family, the whole activity takes about half a day, and passengers return to their hotel at about midday.
5/ Transfers :
For groups of up to seven persons, transfers to the take-off site can be arranged using our own 4WD vehicle. A 4WD vehicle must be hired to transport groups of over seven persons.
6/ SECURITY
Our head pilot has had a French licence since 1980. The balloons themselves undergo a yearly ‘MOT’ just like any other means of transport by air. CIEL D’AFRIQUE’S activities are governed by the Direction de l’Aéronautique Civile.
The only danger comes from the wind, and that is why the pilot is the only person who is able to take the decision to fly and will even cancel the take-off is there is even the slightest risk. If a flight is aborted due to weather conditions, the land-based part of the tour will take place with mint tea with a local family and return to the hotel through winding country lanes. In this case the cost will be MAD 400 per person
These ‘bubbles’ are hot-air balloons owned by the CIEL D’AFRIQUE company which has one aim – to allow visitors to appreciate the glories of the Moroccan countryside from the privileged viewpoint of the basket of a hot-air balloon.
Almost every morning since 1990, an intriguing scene unfolds: just after the sun rises (a hot-air balloon flight – worth getting up early for!). A splendid 4WD TOYOTA HDJ 100 arrives at your hotel – comfortable leather seats and the smooth ride in this outstanding vehicle are a fitting introduction to a unique adventure.
For first timers, the flight begins the night before with the dreams and worries that usually precede such a singular experience.
On arrival at the flight area, a take-off point is chosen by releasing a small helium balloon for a hot-air balloon cannot be steered – it goes wherever the wind takes it.
Now there is no time for worrying – everyone is much too busy. First the equipment needs to be unloaded and here is the first surprise – lighter than air but actually very heavy.
The burners and their bottled gas are loaded into the basket then the burners are lighted to test them … no leaks? … Correct pressure? Everything is going well.
The basket is laid out on the ground and then the canvas (35 metres long – immense) is taken out of its bag and attached to the basket – and we are proud to say that this balloon is one of the largest in the world!
The parachute panel is closed, everything has been thoroughly checked – inflation can begin. A powerful fan sends torrents of cold air into the balloon of the hot-air balloon, and the canvas seems to come alive in a series of rippling multi-coloured waves.
Once the canvas envelope is properly inflated, taking on a semi-spherical shape, the ballooner lights the burner and heats the air imprisoned in the envelope. Helpers open the mouth of the balloon as wide as possible so that the six-to-seven metres high flame can penetrate the balloon without endangering the Nylon.
During this stage other helpers hold the hot-air balloon down by holding the crown rope (the rope attached to the top of the balloon). The more the ballooner heats the balloon the more hot-air balloon tries to rise up. We have to pull with all our strength to control this phase of the inflation, until finally the balloon rises up to a majestic vertical position.
Then we finish the preparations by testing the parachute panel, setting the instruments on the control panel and checking the radio …. and then the passengers can board.
The ballooner continues to heat the air in the balloon, waiting until the temperature reaches around 100 degrees Celsius at the top of the balloon (the temperature varies in accordance with the load, the surrounding temperature and the age …. of the balloon).
We begin to feel twitches as if a sleeping giant were slowly awakening and coming to life.
Finally the pilot gives the order to ‘let go’.
The helpers let go of their ropes all at the same time, allowing the hot-air balloon to rise up in the air.
Everyone holds their breath. It is a magical moment. It is a marvellous sight for those who stay on the ground, and for the passengers it is an intensely beautiful and moving moment.
The delicious sensation of floating through the skies attached to a bubble of hot air soon sweeps away any feelings of surprise at the vertical take-off.
The tension that may have filled the hearts of first-time flyers disappears, their hands unclench and let go of the edge of the basket and they begin to exclaim at the beauty of the experience “How lovely this is, how smooth, I didn’t even realise we’d taken off!”
During the balloon flight passengers ask myriad questions and steep themselves in the beauty of Morocco from above while enjoying the delicious sensation of having left all their daily concerns far below. Seen from the skies, everything is more beautiful and everyone takes their proper place and importance (your bank, the taxman, your boss).
When he took his first balloon flight on December 1st 1783, the physician Charles summed up the feeling as follows: MORE THAN PLEASURE – PURE BLISS
But We must not forget that we will have to go down again. The pilot chooses a flat area and begins the approach after having first explained to the passengers what they should do as the balloon touches down.
If the air is still, the landing is incredibly gentle (a ‘kiss landing’). If it is windy, the basket will be dragged across the ground for a few yards.
Nevertheless, the flight is far from over. We need to fold the canvas up and load it onto the vehicle that miraculously appear in the right place at the right time (… or they may have lost track of us, in which case we will have to look for them … and that is part of the fun of ballooning too).
Next, what could be better than a glass of mint tea and a chance to talk about the flight? And that’s why a 4WD vehicle takes everyone into one of the small villages we have seen from the air so that visitors can experience that marvellous Moroccan hospitality as they munch on a home-made biscuit or a slice of bread dunked in olive oil.
And then … what everyone has been waiting for (for some it might seem to be very reason for the flight) … diplomas are awarded and each passenger goes home with a certificate to show to their friends so that they can say “I was there”.
HOT-AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS
1/ Where?
Our balloon flights pass over the zone to the North of the Palmeraie of Marrakesh, between the Tensift0 wadi and the Jibilets hills. We fly over Berber villages and drift over the palm trees with the city of Marrakesh in the distance and as a backdrop to the whole scene, the Atlas Mountains to the South and the Jbilets to the North..
2/ When?
Every day, book in advance {+212 (0)524 43 28 43 or +212 (0)661 13 70 51}.
3/ What time?
For aeronautical reasons, balloon flights always take place early in the morning. Passengers leave their hotels at about six a.m. according to the season. We will confirm the exact time when you book.
4/ How long?
The flight itself takes about one hour, but with the addition of the little tour in a 4WD vehicle and a glass of tea with a local family, the whole activity takes about half a day, and passengers return to their hotel at about midday.
5/ Transfers :
For groups of up to seven persons, transfers to the take-off site can be arranged using our own 4WD vehicle. A 4WD vehicle must be hired to transport groups of over seven persons.
6/ SECURITY
Our head pilot has had a French licence since 1980. The balloons themselves undergo a yearly ‘MOT’ just like any other means of transport by air. CIEL D’AFRIQUE’S activities are governed by the Direction de l’Aéronautique Civile.
The only danger comes from the wind, and that is why the pilot is the only person who is able to take the decision to fly and will even cancel the take-off is there is even the slightest risk. If a flight is aborted due to weather conditions, the land-based part of the tour will take place with mint tea with a local family and return to the hotel through winding country lanes. In this case the cost will be MAD 400 per person
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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