Some places stay in your heart forever.
For us, that place is Chambley, France, where it all started back in 2017 — two clueless adventurers who barely knew how to tell the difference between a burner and a coffee machine.
Then came 2019, a little more experienced but still not pilots.
And finally, 2023 – we returned as pilots, with our own balloon, our crew, and, yes… a baby in the basket.
If that’s not a full circle moment, we don’t know what is.
Džeina style photo, but might as well be Sergey at fault.
Us and 2/5 of the rest of the family.
The Festival That Closed the Sky with Style
Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons (or just Mondial Chambley if you’re local) is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world.
First held in 1989, it turns the wide-open fields of the Lorraine region into a living rainbow of hundreds of balloons every two years.
The 2023 edition was its final year, and we were there – with our crew, our trusty balloon “The Estonian,” two baskets, two kids, and a caravan full of chaos and joy.
It wasn’t just an event for us – it was an emotional milestone, a celebration of a journey that began in this very place six years earlier.
The Weather? Let’s Just Say… Very French
France welcomed us with open arms, croissants, and a bit of rain and lots of wind.
While other pilots grumbled that the wind kept them grounded, we secretly enjoyed it – less stress, fewer early mornings, more baguettes.
When the clouds refused to clear, we switched to tourist mode – exploring Metz, Nancy, and the charming villages around Lorraine.
And let’s be honest, only the French can make a cheese smell like an engine and taste like heaven.
Nancy, France. Town hall square after the rain.
Living in a Church – Literally
Every team heading to Chambley knows this: you need to book your accommodation a year in advance.
The locals rent out everything – houses, barns, castles, and apparently… churches.
And where else would a ballooning family stay, if not somewhere already halfway to heaven?
Sounds divine, right? Well, almost.
Let’s just say the hosts were a little too committed to the eco lifestyle.
We’re country folks from the ‘80s – a compost toilet doesn’t scare us, but not exactly in the bedroom, please.
After a couple of days, we adjusted.
Big thanks to Sergei and the girls for surviving the eco bedrooms, and to Helma, our baby hero – because even in heaven, a baby still needs her bathtub.
Waiting for the wind to calm. Meanwhile, a group photo with Paulina & Co by Džeina.
Our International Crew
This festival may be family-friendly, but our team looked more like a traveling circus.
We had our friend Sergei from Crete, a Greek pilot with more charm than wind lift.
And, of course, Džeina, our energy engine – the woman who refuses to let anyone rest. Very briefly we were joined by our secret and crippled friend from Bavaria, who excelled at driving and babysitting.
If you’re not smiling, she’ll remind you: “Come on, one more photo!”
We love her dearly, even if our face muscles disagree.
The girls flew, the guys chased the balloon with the trailer, and together we made it one wild, unforgettable adventure.
Mudy field landing, but you see non of that in the picture. Smiles only.
Happy dance on the basket after the first flight.
The Memorable Mishaps
Of course, what’s an adventure without a few “oops” moments?
Andis, guided by who-knows-what, drove straight into scaffolding and scratched up the car perfectly from nose to tail.
Meanwhile, Helma, who couldn’t even crawl yet, decided to roll out of her stroller onto the asphalt.
There were tears, panic, and then laughter – because that’s just how our family rolls.
As Annika said: “Helma will grow up thinking this is normal.”
And honestly, she’s right.
Dreaming is normal. Making those dreams real – also normal.
The road gets walked, the next one begins.
But truth be told – only the crazy ones actually do it.
A Flight That Closed the Circle
This was more than a trip – it was an emotional full circle, a return to the place where our dream took flight.
This time, not as spectators, but as pilots, parents, and friends among thousands of balloons.
When hundreds of colors rose over Chambley for the last time, we just stood there smiling.
Because this time, we weren’t watching the sky — we were part of it.
Sunrise above Chambley.
Next up: how to keep living with your head in the clouds but your feet on the ground. Because honestly, that’s the best way to live. 🚀
