Hunting is worse than bondage, or what is unlucky and how to deal with it-2. Part 3
We set the alarm for 3.15. But we weren't allowed to sleep for those extra sweet fifteen minutes. At exactly 3 the hotel phone rang. Happy birthday, my love!
It's not hot outside, so I didn't wear shorts, but sweatpants and a light jacket. But Vadik did not take pants and remained in shorts. But he was wearing a jacket. He took us similar to our bus for 16 seats, but not Volks, but Merc. We collected more people from hotels and took them... to a cafe! Damn! I didn't eat at 3am! Better get some extra sleep! But there is nothing to do. I had to stuff myself with some food. The cafe buzzed like a beehive in the languages of the whole world! I, perhaps, have never seen such an international!
We loaded back, and in the predawn twilight we were rushed off somewhere. At the bottom, I saw something round. Yes, there they are, the balls! Still half-inflated lie on the ground. But we passed. We stopped at the other end of the valley and finally unloaded. Here and there, colorful balloons were preparing to fly. What are they, it turns out, huge! First, they are simply inflated with compressed air, and only then huge gas burners are turned on to heat it up.
The photographer jumped up and started clapping us.
Some balloons were already rising into the air. And ours still does not inflate!
Dawn is coming soon! We'll be late! But we weren't late and got everything done. I'm just an alarmist for life. The basket consisted of four sections for passengers, plus a pilot compartment in the middle. Five people were put in each section, and some were then swapped if one edge outweighed. It's good that Vadik and I ended up in the same department. And three small Chinese, so we were not very crowded. Initially, I planned to take a bottle of champagne with me and drink it on board. But then I read how it happens, and abandoned this idea. First, they can put them in different compartments. Secondly, we will simply not be up to it, and, thirdly, they promised to drink their champagne after the flight. Well, let them drink!
The pilot fired full throttle on all four burners and we slowly ascended. Soared above the beauty that was seen yesterday from the ground.
Everyone clattered their cameras, spinning on all sides. But it was redundant. The pilot periodically rotated the ball around its axis. We then rose above all, then descended almost to the ground. It was very cool and not a bit scary.
Taking off in an airplane is even scarier. Although, someone once did crash. But I didn’t tell Vadik about it.
The picture is, of course, unforgettable. Several dozens of assorted balls hover at different heights at the same time, either rising or falling.
Ours, by the way, was just like in the song - a radical tangerine color. True, not all, but in some places.
I don't know how long we flew there - forty minutes or an hour, I didn't time it. But, basically, I had enough. Despite the fact that I had already eaten, when my normal breakfast time approached, my stomach growled.
I can't even imagine how you can control this device - the pilot either pulled some ropes or stepped on the gas. But the fact is that he put us on the carriage of the car with pinpoint precision.
Bravo! The boys jumped up and helped us unload and blow off the balloon. Then they took out two bottles of champagne. Since this is clearly not enough for 20 people, they diluted it with cherry juice.
And they gave everyone a piece of biscuit to eat, so as not to get drunk, God forbid! Happy birthday, Vadik!
I know, I know, you expected more! But I did not write with boiling water. There must be something wrong with my kidneys. Or maybe it's because of chronic sleep deprivation. But, most likely, it's something else. Experienced alcoholics will understand me. As a child, a glass of wine was enough to fall under the table. Now you drink, you drink, but intoxication still does not come! Doses are required already elephants. It's the same with travel. The more often you drive, the lower the acuity of perception. And you have to go further and seek adventure on the fifth point. However, you can no longer drive. However, maybe I'm somehow not like that?
We were solemnly awarded certificates of aeronauts.
A photographer with freshly baked photos was already waiting for us near the bus. Now that's efficiency! However, they cost 5 bucks apiece. Thanks, let's go. One couple bought 5 pieces. On two of them, Vadik and I turned out so great that I got the nerve and asked them to re-photograph them. The couple kindly gave us this opportunity.
By 7 o'clock we were returned to the hotel. Departure at 8. Therefore, have a quick breakfast and get ready.
We still have an extensive program planned for today. First, we were taken to an ancient temple, which we did not reach yesterday due to rain.
And then - to a completely freaky place.
People lived in these khatynki until 1980. Then they were forcibly resettled, but they were allowed to keep the huts as a "cottage". You can’t really plant a garden there, but tourists are easy. Vadik wished to climb in and take a look. The owner demanded 2 lira per person. Well, I gave it out, in honor of the holiday!
The mansions are certainly impressive! Especially the terrace.
It's just not clear how they solve the issue of sewerage here? Both light and water. Wild people! Children of the mountains
Then there was another observation deck.
Well, for a snack - a mandatory program. Visiting shops. Where do without them? First, the boys and girls gave us a defile in leather goods, after which they took us to a store with wild prices. But, of course, only today and only for us 60% discount! And outside the door, the music accompanying the models began to play again. Flow. You have to be careful in the store. God forbid you show even the slightest interest in any piece of clothing! They will fly - you will not fight back! We were all already on the bus, but there was one young girl missing. She was tightly taken into circulation there. We already wanted to go rescue.
Then - a jewelry store, and for a snack - a sweet shop.
There we were fed at least a little - they gave us a taste of different sweets. Moreover, all the shops were within walking distance from each other, but we were conscientiously brought by bus.
We were also brought to the caravanserai.
It was built by some sultan to protect caravans from bandits. Of course, over the centuries it was destroyed. But not so long ago, some good Samaritan restored this structure at his own expense. True, he now has it on lease, it seems for 99 years. And there is a bunch of shops with different stuff. So, he is not so kind.
Either to build a shopping center from scratch, or to use an already prepared one. Well, a little dismissed, you think!
For lunch, Ildar planned to take us to another super-duper tavern with local cuisine, but apart from a major couple who flew with us on a balloon, no one wanted to pay ten dollars for lunch anymore. Ildar seemed offended, and we were driven for a long time without stopping. The poor people were starving. And we had with us. Without waiting for parking, we began to celebrate. The fat was already over, but there was still sausage with bread and radishes. And most importantly - a 12-year-old chivasik. By the way, rumors about the high cost of the Antalya Dutik are greatly exaggerated. We bought Viskarik in Zaporozhye for 35 euros (albeit for hryvnias). On the plane, it cost already 31, and at the Antalya airport - only 29. Something like that.
The road, however, is very tiring. If not for whiskey, it would be quite sad. But our driver was just a beast! You can imagine that before us he took away one girl from Tekirov. And it was at half past three at night. Probably didn't sleep at all. Then he rode us until the evening, and at 4 in the morning he was back on his feet! The Aneksovskaya girl justified such an expensive price for her excursions by the fact that, supposedly, they each had 2 carriers. So, see for yourself. We are scumbags. And after the flight, we are no longer afraid of anything. That's what I thought.
How long, how short, but we got to the hotel exactly at 21.00. I really wanted to eat! For some reason, I thought that the canteen was open until half past nine, and Vadik claimed that it was generally until 10. Therefore, we ran into the room to throw a backpack. There we, or rather Vadik, were in for a surprise! A plate of cookies and a greeting card! This is cool! Marveling at such generosity, bordering on extravagance, we merrily ran to dinner. However, we made a mistake and dinner was until 9. I rushed to the bowl of soup. There was nothing I wanted more than hot soup! It was available, but the scoop was no longer there. The staff was, of course, shocked by our simplicity, but I pointed to my belly stuck to my back and depicting a suffering mine on my face, nevertheless demanded a scoop. Soup with pita bread was enough for us. Taking two baileys at the bar, we went to our balcony. Happy birthday Vadik! This is where cookies come in handy. And we laughed at them!
To be continued.
