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Canberra Balloon Spectacular 2016: up, up and away!

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It’s 5.30am on a Saturday morning. My alarm shrieks, urging me to get out of bed. Although discouraged I am eager for what awaits. I check the EventsACT Twitter page for the formal confirmation that the 2016 Canberra Balloon Spectacular will indeed, be taking to the air – quite literally.

With the go-ahead given, we head to the Lawns of Old Parliament House. We make our way through the darkness, walking in shadows towards the rich glow of colour coming from the roar of flames up ahead.

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It is remarkably quiet as the crowds watch the scurrying workers with long ropes in their hands, steadying and positioning their balloons. Perhaps it is the early hour, but I like to think that it is the pure spectacle of the event that has people mesmerised.

My brother, who I have dragged along with the promise of breakfast, grumbles as I excitedly jostle between people to get a good look at the flames as they spurt out, the fire warm on my face.

We head closer to Old Parliament House and spot a giant balloon covered in hundreds of mini, coloured balloons inspired by the film ‘Up’, and a giant owl, with bushy eyebrows and large talons.

Just as we are starting to get impatient (and hungry!) the first of the balloons are aloft. A large, black one takes to the sky with its two owners in a small basket, waving at the crowd. Capital Chemist’s blue and white one follows shortly, with a red one by Bruno’s Truffles after that.

balloonsSoon there is no way to keep count, the sky a mass of beautiful hot-air balloons in different colours, shapes and sizes, moving effortlessly away from us towards the lake.

I turn to my brother as the last balloons rise from the ground, and jokingly ask if he’s finally finished watching. In true form, he grumbles again and turns to head back to the car.

As we drive across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, an incredible sight emerges. Several balloons are gliding low, almost skimming Lake Burley Griffin, the last of the sunrise as their back drop, early-morning rowers waving up at them. Finally, after all we have seen that morning, there is a sight that not even my extremely grumpy brother can fault.

 

Story and images by Helena Game

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