Amala's Heritage

Up in the Air

The port of Kemal was a bustling hub of activity, with ships and boats of all sizes coming and going, ferrying goods and people to and from various destinations. As the sun rose over the horizon, the port came to life with seagulls squawking and the faint hum of boat engines. Among the many ships docked at the port was a sleek and modern cruise liner preparing to set sail for its next adventure. Passengers worldwide were milling about the port, excitedly waiting to board the ship and begin their journey. At the same time, a group of friends, including Sophia, Isla, and Maria, were on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating a different kind of adventure. They had booked a thrilling hot air balloon ride over the picturesque landscape surrounding the port. As they made their way to the take-off site, Isla was eager to use her handy dandy binoculars to glimpse the stunning views that awaited them from above. Meanwhile, Uppik and Junichi were excitedly planning their visit to the renowned Space Museum near the port. Both space enthusiasts were eager to immerse themselves in the history and wonders of space exploration.

At dawn, just as the sun began to rise, the group eagerly gathered for their much-anticipated hot-air balloon adventure. Excitement filled the air as they boarded a small ship to cross over. The boat was shared with other adventurous souls who, like the group, were eager to embark on their day's escapades. Amidst the crowd, three shady individuals also entered the ship, their presence catching Isla's attention. They quickly moved to the upper deck, raising suspicion and adding an unexpected element to the group's adventure.

Isla suggested that she, Sophia, and Maria move to the upper deck for a better vantage point. From there, they watched a giant ship ahead, preparing to depart. It was an elegant ship, much bigger than any ship that Isla had ever seen.  Dignitaries and Celebrities from all corners of the globe could be seen boarding the grand vessel, adding to the spectacle. However, this excitement was dampened by a delay. The group, lingering in line behind the giant ship, could not set off on its adventure. As the delay stretched on, frustration mounted. The three suspicious men became increasingly agitated, their impatience boiling over. Voices grew tense as they directed their ire toward the giant ship, urging its passengers to expedite their departure, creating a tense atmosphere for the group.

As the ship finally set sail after a 20-minute delay, the waves proved much more vital than anticipated, causing the ship to wobble and sway. Passengers on the lower deck were caught off guard as the waves splashed over the sides, creating a sense of adventure and excitement mixed with a sprinkle of chaos. Despite the rocky journey, the passengers remained in high spirits as they finally approached the shore. To their amazement, the shore was adorned with beautiful seals gracefully perched on the rocks, almost as if they welcomed the travellers to their land. Eager to continue their adventure, Isla, Sophia, and Maria made their way to the hot air balloon take-off spot, brimming with excitement. Isla noticed the three men from their group veering off and walking up the hill, seemingly straying from the planned course.

As they arrived at the take-off site, they couldn't contain their excitement at seeing the bright blue balloon with cheerful yellow suns plastered on it. The group was greeted by their friendly balloon pilot, who began by giving them a thorough safety briefing.

"Good morning, everyone!" Captain Michela greeted with enthusiasm. "Welcome to our hot air balloon adventure. Before we start, I'll review some important safety instructions for takeoff and landing." "First, let's discuss takeoff," she said as she walked over to the basket, still securely anchored to the ground. "When it's time to board, I'll invite you individually. Grab onto the basket's handles and carefully step in. Once you're inside, please remain standing and hold onto the handles. It's crucial to stay inside the basket and avoid leaning over the edge." "Keep your hands inside the basket as we ascend and enjoy the view. Safety is our top priority." After explaining the takeoff, Captain Michela moved on to the landing procedure. "Now, let's talk about landing. As we approach our landing site, I'll give you a heads-up so you can prepare." She demonstrated the landing position by slightly bending her knees and gripping the handles inside the basket. "When I say 'prepare for landing,' please bend your knees a little to absorb the impact, hold onto the handles firmly, and face in the direction of travel. Keep your head down and protect it with your arms if I instruct you." 

The hot air balloon took off, and Isla could see the beautiful mountains and valleys, which was breathtaking. The sunlight cast a warm glow over the landscape, painting the scene with vibrant colours. As they ascended higher, the world below seemed to shrink, and a serene sense of tranquillity embraced them. It was a truly magical experience.

Suddenly, from the top, while looking out from her binoculars, she caught sight of three sinister men leaving a shop, the name of which was Ramdewasi Store.  Each of them carried several brown packages that seemed to have considerable weight. The three men moved quickly down the hills and soon reached the speed boat dock. Isla watched as they started loading the packages onto a small speed boat and headed towards the cruise boat; soon, they had disappeared from her view.

When Isla returned from the hot air balloon ride, she was eager to hear about Junichi's adventure at the Space Museum. As soon as she arrived, Junichi excitedly told her about the simulator rocket ride he went on. He described the sensation of blasting off into space and the exhilarating feeling of weightlessness as they travelled through the cosmos. Isla was all ears as Junichi explained everything he learned about asteroids, supernovas, and the fascinating mysteries of the universe. His vivid descriptions captivated her, and she felt like she had embarked on a cosmic journey herself. Together, they shared their thrilling experiences, weaving a tapestry of adventures that spanned from the peaceful skies in a hot air balloon to the boundless expanse of outer space. It was a day filled with wonder and discovery, and their stories intertwined to create a vivid mosaic of exploration and imagination.