The Rojak Daily team was given a chance to ride on one tethered balloon which was specially inflated during the press launch and boy was it an experience. 

Although the balloon was anchored to the ground, it was still a memorable moment.

For first-time hot air ballooners, we suggest you wear pants (thank goodness this writer wore jeans) and proper shoes because there are no doors on the basket! You'll just have to climb in!

The basket is usually just below an average person's shoulder height, and there will be a hole or several holes on the side of it for you to place your foot on and climb in.

I had to try getting in a few times because well, I'm not really known for my gracefulness ? but our videographer Syamil, climbed in like a pro.

Upon entering, the usually smiling ballooner accompanying you will then turn on the burner, and up up you go!

I would have to say that I was a little nervous about the experience (a little meaning absolutely terrified because I'm afraid of heights), but it was not too bad at all. 

You can hardly feel it as you ascend into the sky and as we reached our maximum height, I was actually left wishing that we could roam higher above.

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For those of you who are saying "ehhhh been there, done that", stick around, enjoy the sights and watch as the teams deflate the balloons. It's an interesting sight! 

We were the last ones to ride on the tethered balloon at the launch and just as we alighted, a member of the ballooning team, suddenly brought over a huge fan.



The fan blows cold air which helps eliminate the hot air within the balloon and slowly, it starts to deflate.

To keep the balloon as deflated as possible, two of the crew (who were waiting below) then jumped on the main deflated portion and basically wrangled it into its full collapsed mode.

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It was quite an interesting sight!

So, unique experiences, beautiful sights and a wholesome family outing. 

The hot air balloon fiesta is definitely going to be marked on our calendars this March.