The sun was just starting to appear from behind the mountains of the Valley of Teotihuacan, northeast of Mexico City, as flames were pumped into the hot air balloon that we would soon be climbing aboard. All around me, people with tired eyes from their pre-dawn awakening were trying to keep warm in the early morning freshness, sipping greedily on hot coffees.

The huge balloon inflated slowly as the crew pulled the basket upright and called us to climb in. The excitement and trepidation were palpable – we all paid serious attention to the safety information and practised the bent-kneed landing position as instructed.

The huge balloon inflated slowly as the crew pulled the basket upright and called us to climb in. The excitement and trepidation were palpable – we all paid serious attention to the safety information and practised the bent-kneed landing position as instructed.

The huge balloon inflated slowly as the crew pulled the basket upright and called us to climb in. The excitement and trepidation were palpable – we all paid serious attention to the safety information and practised the bent-kneed landing position as instructed.