Balloon flight in Bagan, Myanmar • 360° Aerial Panorama
This panorama can be opened in several different resolutions. High resolution panorama with the best quality is about 7 Mb large and it is suitable for fast internet connections and modern computers. For slower internet and old weak computers we created the smaller low resolution panorama. Some small details have been sacrificed but the size of low resolution panorama is nomore than 2 Mb. |
|
high resolution |
low resolution
|
In February 2012 we arrived in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), the ancient city of Bagan, where in the area of 40 square kilometres a large number of pagodas, temples and Buddhist stupas were built. Thousands of them are well preserved, and thousands more have survived in the form of ruins.
First of all Dima and I decided to take pictures of a set of balloons flying past one of the temples at the break of dawn using a radio-controlled helicopter. The difficulty was that they didn't have a strict route to follow; there was only a rough direction where every morning ten huge balloons hovered above a valley. After spending quite enough time asking our driver countless questions, we decided to start at dawn on the field near the Sulamani temple. And it was a good idea! About half an hour later the balloons appeared on the horizon.
We started in a big rush. I did not expect the first balloon to be moving so fast, and it was heading directly towards us. We only managed to shoot a few sphere panoramas before we had to move the helicopter out of the way.
The next day we wanted to shoot a few panoramas of Bagan flying above the temples in a balloon basket. The evening before we went to the office to speak to the balloon pilots about taking our equipment on board the flight. The problem was that for security reasons they didn't allow even tripods on board: only light cameras that passengers could hold in their hands. This arrangement did not suit us at all.
They greeted us politely but were reserved. One of the pilots recognized us as those two cranks that made his passengers worry earlier that morning. But thanks to Dima's charm a few minutes later we were discussing the possibility of taking photos from the basket.
Balloon pilots in Bagan are English. In my opinion they are real pros. The things they can do with their ships in the air! They can stop, they can spin them around 360 degrees, they can even steer them in practically any direction, they can do everything except perhaps the loop-the-loop.
In the morning we were given coffee before take-off, we had a briefing and were suddenly introduced to other passengers as the coolest experts in air photography (which isn't too far from the truth, really). Our fellow passengers were looking at all our kits with great interest, and a cute girl from Hong Kong decided to seize the chance and went to introduce herself to Dima. We were provided a flagman balloon with the master-pilot Ian. The girl Vera (Faith) was put in a seat next to us and we immediately decided to unload our backpacks at her feet, using our new halo in hall of fame.
And here we are, taking off in our basket. Palm trees can be seen beneath our feet, then small stupas and the temples appeared, the sun rises slowly and we see a string of other balloons appear behind us. Ian directed our "ship" right toward the Sulamani temple at a low height. It is really scary when you fly right under the spire onto a wall! But about 50 m away from it the pilot suddenly made our balloon rise and the temple remained beneath us! It was time to shoot!
We will not bore you with the details of the photo shoot. Everyone in the basket keenly watched two Russians do very strange things with their equipment. Faith posed and Dima, convinced that the iPhone is the best camera, was snapping her non-stop, only occasionally getting distracted by "work". Ian remained absolutely calm, while increasing the fire from time to time. After half an hour of "swinging the ball", we finally settled and were able to look around.
I would definitely class Bagan as one of The Wonders of the World - wherever you look, there are stupas and temple spires as far as the eye can see, from tiny ones to huge ones. Moreover, at dawn all this splendor is surrounded by a light mist, and the higher you get - the further is the horizon. The sellers of this expensive pleasure use tourists' passion for sights. But honestly it is worth it! Some balloons managed to overtake us, and soon we noticed that we were beginning to land. Ian announced that we should get ready for landing and that we can take our last shots. Having thought for a few seconds, he went on to clarify that he doesn't mean the last shots in our life, just the last ones during this flight.
Balloonists have a good tradition of treating everyone to champagne upon landing. It was welcomed at 8 a.m. A little drunk and inspired by what we had seen we went on to take beautiful pictures of Bagan temples. But that is a completely different tour.
Photography and text by Stanislav Sedov and Dmitriy Moiseenko
Comments
5 from 5"bellissimi edda"
edda vitiello, Italy
5 from 5"Wow!!!!!!! what a view, you made my day pano team, keep it up.........."
Akash Yadav, India
"My world is so beautiful. I was born in Pyawbwe in Burma. Mercy. Montreal. Canada"
Mercy Bentinck, Canada
5 from 5"thanks!i remember my fly over Bagan and was incredible (i visite Myanmar in 2010)"
alexandrina manole, Romania
5 from 5"WOW! NOW ON A DAY THAT MIGHT BE NOT SO GREAT I CAN SIT AT MY COMPUTER AND GO SAILING OFF TO SO MANY PLACES THAT FANTASTIC. ALL THANKS TO YOU FOLKS AT AIRPANO. ;-)"
RON HARMAN, USA
"ADELANTE : ESTAN !! HACIENDO UN TRABAJO FABULOSO Y DE ALTISIMA CALIDAD"
german porras, USA
5 from 5"This "panorama" is not like anything I have ever seen on a computer. It is mind boggling to know that something like this can be done. It is the absolute most marvelous thing I have ever seen on my computer"
Joanne Fiorilla, USA
Alina, AirPano: Joanne, tomorrow comes today! And who knows what will fascinate next generation?
5 from 5"I would like to congratulate your team on capturing the beauty of Bagan and all it's Pagodas! As a Burmese Buddhist, it is truly appreciated!!!"
Yin Mon Thwe, Myanmar
5 from 5"wonderful to look."
ananta lakshmi, India
5 from 5"I have just booked to go to Burma in September and hope to do this balloon flight"
Denise Healey, Australia
5 from 5"My cousin in BC sent it to me. I can watch them over and over again. I love this site. Thank you."
Nancy Dawdy, Canada
5 from 5"An accidental email brought you to my computer, I am now hooked. Sometimes we forget the beauty of this planet. We abuse Gaya, we take her for granted. Though your work, your eyes and your vision you are bringing people to a place we all need to arrive at."
Eveline Horelle Dailey, USA
4 from 5"Hello Dima,Stanislav and Team, You are polite, humble and resourceful Nature lovers! Through your artistic eyes we see the wonders of the world in the comforts of home and family. Спасибо. I wish we can see these videos on 3D, 360 deg Spherical panorama on IMAX Domes. Any plans to venture? Best regards."
Ramnik Shah, India
5 from 5"iam very fortunate to see the places which r not possible to visit n the areal views r amazing whole hearted thanks"
pagidimarri raviprakash, India
Anna, AirPano: Thank you too.
5 from 5"wonderfull"
anjana kumar, India
5 from 5"beautifull, indeed..."
Bruno R. ROPSY, Thailand
5 from 5"Vos diaporamas sont superbes - Il y a quelques mois j'en ai reçue une par e-mail et depuis je me sui abonnée à votre newletter. Puis-je utiliser une vidéo pour ajouter sur un blog ou sur un site en mettant votre lien copyright. A vous lire, Sincères salutations."
Jo LAFONT, France
5 from 5"Your gift to the world is awesome & moves me to tears each time you take me on a journey. Our grandchildren can now see wonders not possible without all you have accomplished. Deepest thanks with appreciation and admiration for your imagination to do this! ~Ingrid Coyle"
Ingrid Coyle, USA
5 from 5"Your website was sent to me as a way to speak to my esthetics as a fellow photographer and grieving spirit on the recent passing of my father. This tour does just that. Your passion for travel and drive to share your experiences is a great gift. I will be passing along your site to others as well as visiting each destination on your site with anticipation."
Vanessa Lynne, USA
Anna, AirPano: Thank you! We are moved by your message.
5 from 5"Thank you for your panorama of my lovely country. I was born in Bago, Burma. So i am very glad to see my country. It was amazing job too. Thank you for letting the world see. Thida"
thida m kim, USA
Anna, AirPano: We are grateful for your message. Regards!
5 from 5"nice :)"
lotus alhosni, Oman
"NICE PHOTO"
PANCHAL MAYUR, India
5 from 5"Wonderful!I hope you do not mind to teach me, on the balloon, how did you take a panorama shot ? Need special equipment?"
Wong Chi Chuen, Hong Kong
Anna, AirPano: We just use all the functions of iPhone :)
5 from 5"que de belles images de reve .merci pour toutes ces magnifiques choses .vous nous faites rever"
sergio godani, Belgium
3 from 5"Amazing flight! However what impressed me more, is your including the Pink Floyd song Learning to fly. You have an imagination!! I wish I could work with you."
Nina Mich, Greece
5 from 5"Que maravilloso y hermozo paisaje, con que programas se puede hacer este tipo de arte tan bonito"
luis gregorio azocar, Venezuela
5 from 5"It was worth the effort for such a rare and beautiful countryside and to have you in it as well! Really a shot of a lifetime. Loved the music."
Anne B, USA
5 from 5"Hi Dima and Stanislav, I'm Faith's mom in California and I loved your video - what an amazing sight! Thanks so much for the beautiful photography and great story."
Megan Lee, USA
5 from 5"jadore votre site. Que le monde est beau!"
Christiana CALLEWAERT, Belgium
5 from 5"What a beautiful thing! I love this site!"
Suzi Borges, Brazil
5 from 5"What you are doing is wonderful! I know that it is a LOT of work. Thank you for sharing it with the world."
Meryl Wieder
5 from 5"Absolutely beautiful. It takes me to another dimension. The music is very peaceful. I am a great admirer of your work. thank you for sharing and God bless you all."
johannes maurits, Mexico
Anna, AirPano: We are grateful for your interest in this panorama.
5 from 5"Beautiful impression in the silence of the skies."
solaric solarica, Poland
5 from 5"How did you choose a place like this? Temples, temples, temples... There is no normal people on that country? We are knowing the world through your work. Tanks."
Erico Rocha, Portugal
5 from 5"Wow ... nice ... like"
Morteza Fallah, Iran
4 from 5"I'VE NEVER IMAGINE THIS PLACE EXISTS ON EARTH. THANK YOU."
jorge dorantes, Mexico
"etna"
marina vasta, Italy
| Top |
