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Couple die in hot air balloon tragedy

A hot air balloon disaster above Mexico City has claimed the lives of one couple, and put their seriously injured daughter in hospital, after the basket they were travelling in caught fire. According to The Daily Mail, 50-year-old Jose Nolasco and his 38-year-old wife Viridiana Becerril - who called the nearby city of Cuajimalpa de Morelos home - were confirmed by Mexican authorities as the fatalities of the accident. The tragic incident was caught on camera by people who had been nearby, and clips have since surfaced online of the moments the basket burst into flame, and the plunge of desperate passengers falling - or trying to escape - from the balloon. It is believed that the couple’s daughter - Regina Itzani - was one of such occupants, and she is expected to survive despite suffering a broken arm and second-degree burns. Authorities have been unable to confirm whether or not a pilot was also onboard at the time of the tragedy - though some believe them to have been a second figure plummeting from the balloon - which occurred while the craft was flying over the pre-Hispanic site of Teotihuacan, north of the city. The location is considered to be a popular one for tourists and hot air balloon rides. The footage also shows the balloon deflating as the flames threaten to overtake everything, with one onlooker declaring in Spanish that people are falling, while the craft itself appears to still be tethered to the ground. Authorities have not yet confirmed that it was - and if so, why. As for why the family were taking the trip, social media posts have suggested that Regina and Jose had actually organised the whole experience for Viridiana’s birthday. “It was the birthday of my daughter Viridiana, Regina’s mum,” Regina’s mother, Reyna Gloria Sarmiento, explained to local reporters, “and they had prepared this ride as a surprise for her.” She also noted that her granddaughter was in a stable condition in hospital, and that she was conscious, before sharing that Regina had been able to share one final hug with her parents before making her escape from the balloon’s basket. Authorities are investigating the fatal incident, and although initial reports suggest the fire could be connected to a fault with the fuel storage system on the balloon, nothing has been confirmed. Meanwhile, officials in the family’s hometown, have shared their condolences for the loss, releasing a statement that reads “we send our condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances of Jose Nolasco and Viridiana Becerril who died in the hot air balloon tragedy in Teotihuacan,' they shared Sunday. “Our solidarity and prayers are with Regina and we wish her a speedy recovery.” Images: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Two families unite over Christmas balloon

Christmas came for a second time for two twin sisters, after a stranger more than 100km away found a holiday wish list attached to a balloon. In December, Leticia Flores-Gonzalez had the idea for her two 4-year-olds, Luna and Gianella Gonzalez, to tie their Christmas lists to balloons and set them free above their Kansas home. With the difficult year behind them, it was their way of reaching Santa Claus. Flore-Gonzalez told CNN, “It was important doing something special for my girls because of the hard year we had during the coronavirus pandemic. I wanted them to feel like 2020 was another year spent with mom making beautiful memories.” “It was never with the purpose someone would find the balloon. I thought it would deflate and would just disappear somewhere in a tree nearby.” But someone with a white beard and a big heart did find one of the balloons. While hunting deer in Grand Cane, Louisiana in late December, Alvin Bamburg spotted one of the balloons tangled in a tree. “I saw that balloon and God spoke to me. He said, ‘You need to get this, and, second of all, you need to get the trash out of the woods,’” Bamburg told CNN. “When I got it I noticed a folded yellow piece of paper sealed with a red star, and it was a Christmas list from a girl named Luna.” <img style="width: 500px; height:280.7692307692308px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840931/christmas-list.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/da6784e762294890ac05a1785dd3872f" /> What had Luna asked Santa for? The list included candy, a Spider Man ball, a Frozen doll, a My Little Pony toy, and a puppy. Though the holidays kept Bamburg and his wife, Lee Ann Leopard Bamburg, busy, the list stayed at the back of their minds. Once the holiday season had wound down, Bamburg shared his discovery with family and friends via a Facebook post in early January. Bamburg wrote, “Would love to know when it was launched. Looks like it traveled over 600 miles. Feel free to share.” So many people shared the post that it was eventually found by Flores-Gonzalez. “When we found out someone actually found Luna’s balloon, we were just in shock,” she said. “We couldn’t believe how kind people were; we were overwhelmed with love. That’s what really mattered.” After receiving requests to share Gianella’s list, Flores-Gonzalez did, and both girls received gifts from Bamburg’s family, friends, coworkers, and even old schoolmates. Following months of communication, the two families finally met in-person. The Bamburgs drove six hours to meet Flores-Gonzalez and the twins and gave them one final present. “We had texted, talked, and FaceTimed before we even met, and it was clear we had a connection,” Bamburg said. “When we met, it was just like meeting family.” It was during the meeting that Bamburg gave the girls a dachshund puppy, fulfilling the last of Luna’s Christmas wishes. Overjoyed, the girls quickly named the pup Max. Over a meal, the families laughed and bonded over shared values. “To us, it isn’t the amount of gifts or the value that the girls are receiving,” Flores-Gonzalez said. “It’s the love they received. It meant the world to us we see their smiles, and the lifelong friendship we have made with Alvin and his wife.” The families will continue meeting too, with their next reunion scheduled for the end of May. In the meantime, Bamburg hopes to inspire others to take a break and makes someone else’s day a little brighter. “There’s so much sadness in the world right now, the world is a freaking mess,” he said. “It’s really not hard to spread kindness, and you can never underestimate the impact even just a smile will have on someone’s day.” Image credits: CNN

Caring

Devastated mum's warning after her son dies from balloon choking

A NSW mum is devastated after her 11-month-old son has choked and died on a balloon. Ashleigh Chapman, 19, is warning other parents about the dangers associated with balloons. She fed her son Heath before eating lunch herself and heard a "cough". “Then I heard a cough, just a normal cough,” Ashleigh told <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/heartbroken-nsw-mums-warning-after-11-month-old-son-dies-suddenly-after-choking-on-balloon-c-2601415" target="_blank">7NEWS.com.au.</a> “I let it side. Then two or three minutes later, I heard another cough, like a struggle cough.” Ashleigh then went to check on her son and found him unresponsive, where Heath was rushed to hospital. Doctors worked on him for an hour but Heath was eventually pronounced dead. “I just dropped,” Ashleigh said of the moment she was told Heath had passed away. “I didn’t believe it. I said, ‘don’t tell me that’. “I broke down.” Ashleigh said that the news didn't really hit her until she saw her son the next day. “I think that was the most confronting thing,” she said. “He was motionless and not how I ever expected to see my son. “We weren’t allowed to pick him up and cuddle him. “I just wanted him to wake so I could take him home.” After Heath's death, an autopsy was conducted and found that Heath had died after choking on a balloon. It was a small party balloon that hadn't fully deflated and became lodged in his windpipe. “I blamed myself for it,” Ashleigh said. “They were old balloons, we just had them around. “We decided to open them one day and we blew them up. I’m kicking myself that they were there. “No way I knew something like that could happen so quickly. “I was just doing what we do on a normal day.” She's now warning other parents of the dangers of balloons and has shared her story, letting others know how quickly things can go wrong. “They’re everywhere really ... they have them in daycare, in preschools ... at carnivals,” she said. “All it takes is a popped balloon to go into someone’s mouth ... it can happen within seconds. “It’s the same with water balloons. “Because of the texture of the balloon, its an instant airway block.”

Family & Pets

Up, up and away: Experiencing the magic of the Wairarapa Balloon Festival

Peter King is at his happiest when he’s flying high above the wide Wairarapa valley. Not only is the vista beautiful from 5000ft, but the region’s geography and drainage winds, which typically run from north to south, make it a popular place to fly hot air balloons. “Hot air ballooning is all about manipulating air currents over the landscape,” says Peter. “After taking off and getting airborne, it’s about planning where you want to go by identifying and feeling the breezes on the way up. It’s a science to get it right and when you do, the feeling is just terrific. It’s peaceful and the vistas, especially in the Wairarapa, are amazing.” Peter’s foray into hot air ballooning began in the seventies when he flew with James Greig in one of the first three hot air balloons imported into New Zealand. One of them was later flown by Roland ‘Roly’ Parsons, the first and only man to cross the Cook Strait in a hot air balloon and the first man to pilot a balloon directly over the top of Mt Cook, in the Southern Alps. “I had my PPL (private pilot’s license) but quickly became captivated by the balloon and excited by the sport. At the time Bernina was sponsoring the sport in Europe and things were starting to happen here. We ended up buying the Bernina balloon previously owned by Jim Greig. and I guess you could say, we’ve never looked back.” <img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816603/trust-house-night-glow_500x333.jpg" alt="Trust House Night Glow"/> The Trust House Night Glow sees tethered balloons lit up by colourful lights and against a musical backdrop. Since then Peter, who runs Kings Woodworking Company in Carterton which makes bespoke timber benchtops for national distribution, has flown at locations all around New Zealand and also attended the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He thrives on the camaraderie amongst the balloonists. “Because the wind dictates which direction you go, there is no set landing place’ so the ground crew are a vital component of a successful flight. They make sure that the landowner’s requirements are met & there is a safe pack-up,” he says. “The other side of the sport I enjoy is going into local primary schools and opening up the envelope for kids and blowing air into it. They are genuinely amazed and ask such wonderful, crazy questions like ‘how does a pilot go toilet’?” <img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816602/212_499x665.jpg" alt="212"/> The Resene Splash n Dash competition at Henley Lake in Masterton makes for a spectacular display. This Easter it is being held on Saturday, 31 March (7am – 9.30am weather conditions permitting). Peter is looking forward to flying his new 70000 cubic foot Boland balloon named “Snakeskin” at this year’s Wairarapa Balloon Festival being held over the long Easter Weekend. Amazingly, with American balloon maker, Brian Boland, who has operated Boland Balloons in Vermont since the 1980s, the whole balloon was sewed up in Pete’s lounge. The team, meticulously cut & sewed the 170 panels that make up the envelope including the “snakeskin” panel the balloon is named for. The basket is made from plywood, aluminium and fabric upholstery. The whole aircraft has been fully checked by CAA and registered as a “homebuilt aircraft”. Pete will also wear his distinctive red and gold leather helmet with silver wings that was specially made for his 60th birthday by Carterton leather artist, Trevor Lamb. <img width="498" height="630" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816601/image__498x630.jpg" alt="Image_ (56)"/> “Bud E Beaver” is one of three special shaped hot air balloons coming to the 2018 Wairarapa Balloon Festival, being held this Easter. Peter will join more than 20 other balloonists for the festival including his son Dan who will pilot a two person Boland with distinctive red and white stripes. In addition there will be three special-shaped balloons including “Bud E Beaver”, “Iwi the Kiwi” and “RAC Van” the latter which weighs in at 325kgs, is approximately 30m tall and has yellow flashing lights. “There will be five Boland hot air balloons flying in the Wairarapa Balloon Festival at Easter time. They are light balloons so the envelope does not have to be as big so it’s quick to inflate and pack up. We just enjoy the speed and it is as fast as the wind takes us.” The 2018 Wairarapa Balloon festival from Thursday, March 29 to Monday, April 2. Location details about morning balloon ascensions in Carterton, Greytown, Masterton and Martinborough; times for the burner parades and details on the Trust House Night Glow at Solway Showgrounds can be found on <a href="http://www.nzballoons.co.nz/" target="_blank">www.nzballoons.co.nz</a>. For more information on what to do in the Wairarapa over Easter, including accommodation options, please visit <a href="http://www.wairarapanz.com/" target="_blank">www.wairarapanz.com</a>

Domestic Travel

How to curl your hair with balloons

It might be time to grab the spare balloons from the bottom drawer in the kitchen and attempt this quirky hair-curling technique. It requires no heat, just good old fashioned balloons. Method: <ol> <li>Start by arming yourself with the tools. Blow up between six and 10 balloons so that you are prepared. Blow them up so they are still soft to touch – this makes them easier to navigate and will hold the hair better. </li> <li>Pop your hair into a high pony and then start to section off the hair into small three to four centimetre sections. Remember the bigger the section, the bigger the curl. </li> <li>Wind your hair around a balloon until you have reached the end of the section. Using a bobby pin, secure the hair onto the wound hair and balloon. You might also want to bobby pin the bottom as this will give you a stronger hold. </li> <li>Continue until you have your whole ponytail ballooned.</li> <li>Give your hair time to dry and set before removing the balloons.</li> <li>Give your locks a good tousle and spritz with some hairspray to help encourage the curls to stay put.</li> </ol> Would you give this weird trick a try? Let us know in the comments below. Written by Sarah Simpson. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/how-to-stop-grey-hair-turning-green/">How to stop grey hair turning green</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/hair-care-secrets-from-an-81-year-old-fashion-blogger/">Hair care secrets from an 81-year-old fashion blogger</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/tips-for-dealing-with-scalp-sensitivity-and-dandruff/">Tips for dealing with scalp sensitivity and dandruff</a>

Beauty & Style

Australia’s most spectacular hot air ballooning locations

Some places are just made to be seen from the air – preferably with a warm coffee or glass of champagne in hand. These are Australia’s most spectacular hot air ballooning destinations. 1. Hunter Valley In New South Wales’ most famous wine region, the vineyards with their neat rows of grapes roll out like a patchwork quilt when seen from a balloon. Most balloon companies will start or finish at Petersens Champagne House and pack you a hamper full of the good stuff. The best part is, you can set down right on the lawn of your favourite vineyard and duck inside for a quick tasting. 2. Canberra The nation’s capital isn’t generally regarded as a beautiful city, but that all changes when you’re floating over it a few hundred metres in the air. In fact, you’ll probably see at least a couple of hot air balloons hovering above the city every morning of the year. From above, you’ll be able to appreciate the geometry of Walter and Marion Burley Griffin’s plan for the city as it is laid out across the plains and hills, and fly close to Parliament House, the National Museum, the National Library and Commonwealth Park. 3. Alice Springs Be amazed by the incredible colour palette of the MacDonald Ranges, just outside of Alice Springs, with a sunrise balloon flight. As the light hits the ranges they erupt into vibrant reds and oranges, looking as if they are lit from within. You’ll also be able to see kangaroos bounding along and even the occasional camel. Reliably good weather means flights operate almost every day. 4. Yarra Valley Why is it that wine regions make such good hot air ballooning destinations? Victoria’s Yarra Valley is another example of patchwork charm, with vineyards, forests, rivers and farms laid out below. Mornings are cool and misty in the Yarra Valley and it’s an incredible sight to see the sun slowly burn off the haze and reveal the landscape below. And, once again, you’ll finish it off with a gourmet breakfast and glass of bubbles from one of the local cellar doors. 5. Port Douglas For something completely different, take a gentle cruise above the ancient Daintree Rainforest near Port Douglas in Far North Queensland. Along the coast, the Daintree meets the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the few places in the world where two Heritage Listed sites come together. It’s an incredible contrast from the lush greens of the jungle to the deep blue of the ocean, and one you won’t find anywhere else. Have you ever hot air ballooned before over any of these locations or anywhere else? How did you find the experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/where-are-the-worlds-busiest-airports/">Where are the world's busiest airports?</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/10-things-to-do-on-bruny-island/">10 things to do on Bruny Island</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/10-reasons-to-drop-everything-and-travel/">10 reasons to drop everything and travel</a>

International Travel

100,000 balloons fill London’s Covent Garden market

An ethereal cloud of 100,000 giant white balloons filled London’s Covent Garden last week as part of the Covent Garden’s cultural program that strives to transform the district into an ever-changing art gallery. Titled Heartbeat, the installation was created by French artist Charles Pétillon. He told Design Boom: “The balloon invasions I create are metaphors. Their goal is to change the way in which we see the things we live alongside each day without really noticing them. with ‘heartbeat’ I want to represent the market building as the beating heart of this area – connecting its past with the present day to allow visitors to re-examine its role at the heart of London’s life.” <img width="536" height="398" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-4.jpg" alt="balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-4" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-277262"/> <img width="533" height="533" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-19.jpg" alt="balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-19" class="alignnone wp-image-277279"/> <img width="526" height="526" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-20.jpg" alt="balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-20" class="alignnone wp-image-277280"/> <img width="522" height="347" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-6.jpg" alt="balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-6" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-277264"/> <img width="520" height="346" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-9.jpg" alt="balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-9" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-277267"/> <img width="519" height="373" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-15.jpg" alt="balloons-covent-garden-heartbeat-charles-petillon-15" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-277273"/>

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