Balloon riding continued
Last updated at 15:59 26 February 2003
As we climb towards the clouds, though, details begin to disappear and raw mountain landscape takes over. It's heart-stopping stuff but, strangely, I'm not as scared as I thought I was going to be.
On a calm, sunlit morning with our multicoloured balloon casting a giant shadow on the snow beneath us, I am starting to feel very mellow. An hour seems to have vanished without trace.
We've flown more than 1,000 metres (3,000ft) above glowing opal glaciers, electric-blue valleys and mountain peaks as crisp and sharp as kitchen knives. The heat from the gas flame overhead is making me feel sleepy.
Luckily, the subdued chatter of my companions is keeping me alert. No one wants to miss anything - a video camera is recording it all for the folks back home.
As we start to descend towards our landing site, the snow on the forest trees refocuses as glinting filigree. There's more waving and smiling from people on the ground.
The pilot cautions us that our landing may be bumpy and to stay safe in our basket until everything stops moving.
A Land Rover is racing to meet us in the snow. Personally, I'm not worried. I've heard a rumour that there's champagne waiting down there and a certificate each.
Proof that non-skiers like us are not such a bunch of cowards after all.
She stayed at the Hotel Mont-Blanc (00 33 4 50 21 45 28); doubles from E171 (£117) B&B. A shuttle bus runs between Geneva Airport and Megeve, return fare 89 Swiss Francs (£39.50).
An hour-long discovery balloon flight with Les Ballons Du Mont-Blanc (00 33 4 50 58 08 4; alpes-montgolfiere.com) costs E244 (£167), longer trips (two-three hours) E590 (£403).
Most watched News videos
- New video shows Epstein laughing and chasing young women
- Epstein describes himself as a 'tier one' sexual predator
- Buddhist monks in Thailand caught with a stash of porn
- Sarah Ferguson 'took Princesses' to see Epstein after prison
- Skier dressed as Chewbacca brutally beaten in mass brawl
- British Airways passengers turn flight into a church service
- Jenna Bush Hager in tears over disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
- Forth Bridge fireball fall into village streets
- China unveils 'Star Wars' warship that can deploy unmanned jets
- Amazon driver's furious rant about deliveries captured on ring camera
- Inside London's terrifying crimewave as gangs target high end stores
- Authorities give update on search for Savannah Guthrie's mom
