Hot Air Balloon Expedition-2011

The Professional's Group of The Na1tional Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka this time organised a novel event, an aerial photo (workshop) shoot from a hot air baloon for the first time in Sri Lanka's photographic history.

Obviously the hot air balloon expedition had to be limited to a participation of 24 pax due to the limitations of occupation in the balloon carriages which compelled the organising committee to decline several requests. Only those who confirmed participation early were entertained.

Participants arrived in Dambulla on the 18th., the previous night, as the flights were scheduled for 19^th. March 2011 morning. The Group had arranged lodging for the participants at Inamaluwa and all got up early on the day of flight, to be at the play ground of Heritance Hotel, Kandalama where the balloons were to take off from. Each participant was provided with a custom stitched T-shirt specially to mark the event which was sponsored by Sirisara Studio, Kurunegala and a small badge depicting event info sponsored by Nikon Studio, Wattala. All participants who were dressed in same red coloured T-shirts were seen like one family of photographers. None of us had gone on a balloon flight before thus it was a novel and unique adventure for everybody!

The time we arrived at the grounds the balloons were half inflated. L.P.gas mixed with nitrogen was used through the burners to produce hot air into the balloon. This is a specialised job as the pilot who handles are fully competent and holds license. The balloon operator has an experienced crew for his assistance. While the blue coloured balloon could occupy eight people the basket of the red balloon had facility for sixteen participants. The baskets made of wicker were four feet deep. Compartments were seperated for it's occupants where no one can move within during the flight. The pilot was placed in the center. The balloon itself was bigger like a three storied building. The weather was fine and had good sunshine. Our pilot Stuart was a British national. The pilot of the balloon can take it to the mid air but he has no control of the direction as it is simply done by the blowing of the wind. As we took off from the hotel grounds the Heritance Hotel Kandalama was seen amidst lush greenery. Kandalama tank was seen next to vegetation in dark grey colour. This is the colour of a water reserviour seen from the sky. We were in an altitude of about 1,000 ft while the red balloon was seen below us which created a stunning view with a backdrop of greenery. We were flown to the direction of South-West. On our left side was Dambulla rock cave temple and the newly constructed huge Golden buddha statue was quite prominent. While flying over a vast paddy field the red balloon was seen landing. At the time we were flying over Dambulla town the central bus station was almost close. More or less everybody's eyes were on our balloon flight as we were moving at a low altitude.

Each balloon was followed by a truck and a land vehicle with balloon crew by road where they simply reach at any given place of landing. Our blue balloon also landed in a paddy field where the baloon pilots prefer to do so. It is common to receive the help of surrounding people specially children by the balloon crew for the deflating process. After the touching down, safe landing was celebrated with champagne which is a custom. Our flight lasted for about 1hr & 20 minutes and we never felt the time. All the participants were happy despite a few shortcomings and expressed their views about their breathtaking maiden hot air balloon voyage and took their opportunities to thank the organisers for planning an event of this nature at an affordable price. by Bandu Gunaratne LRPS, LBPPA, EFIAP, AIIPC, FISLP, Hon.FNPAS