This morning we got up early again for the highlight of the tour,the early morning balloon ride over Bagan. Unfortunately the pickup from the hotel was late but it was a real 15 minute delay so we soon boarded a lovely veteran bus,decked out in wood which took us a to pitch black field which was a hive of activity with 21 balloons being prepared. It was quite a sight as the balloons filled with air ready for liftoff. Our pilot Nobby gave us the safety talk and we were good to go. The wind suddenly picked up,the groom no crew scurried about moving equipment as our basket careered about. Thankfully we lifted off although we were told later it was touch and go. We drifted towards the temple zone as the sun rose in the east. We even flew over a new stupa by the river that had just been completed.A memorable first balloon ride. We landed on the sand banks in the irrawaddy river for our champagne breakfast as the ground crew arrived in a small boat and set it up. A slightly larger boat arrived to take us back as the crew were left behind to retrieve the balloons. To disembark we had to clamber on to a trailer pushed into the river but tractor. Our old bus then took us back to our hotel for a Hobbit's second breakfast. On the way we were held up by yet another initiation procession.The same Bagan warriors were in attendance and two elephants this time and one had her baby following. We then hired a taxi for a half day to visit the museum in the old town. This is where all the artefacts from the various sites have been brought to. A vast collection of buddhas of course but some other items of interest. Sadly the museum doesn't really do itself justice and although everything is in english nothing is really explained. Afterwards we visited three very large stupas that are must sees. Much restoration is going on so we had some glimpses of their beauty.
Back at the hotel we sat by the pool for a beer and a dip before a late afternoon walk to a stupa by the river for the sunset . An early dinner in a riverside restaurant finished our day as an early start tomorrow for a day's drive to a hill station