There was a spectacular site at the recent Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights in Myanmar when seven men, each holding a flaming bamboo stick, worked rapidly to fill a huge paper balloon with hot air, in order to launch it into the sky.
The men were accompanied by a small band of people, who danced enthusiastically and played music as the unusual 30-foot paper hot air balloon slowly took form and lifted off into the clear night sky.
As the balloon took flight, the men cheered, as the music soared and the crowd danced even more ecstatically than before, culminating in the moment when the clear, dark sky was illuminated with a staggering number of hot air balloons.
As the sparks and flames began to fly, and the balloon gained altitude, the crowd who were watching intently ran for cover so that they could watch the spectacle from a safe distance, as the balloons undercarriage continued to emit fireworks in every colour of the rainbow.
This unique display of hot air balloon and pyrotechnic power was one of hundreds that took place during the week-long festival, which is held in the Shan state during the week of the full moon, at the culmination of the rainy season.
Thousands of people flock to the city to experience the somewhat unusual and slightly dangerous event, which, is also home to a carnival, food stalls and plenty of games.
If you are looking for a safer way to experience the joy of hot air ballooning, then taking hot air balloon rides in Bristol, Bath or Swindon is probably the best option.
