Bagan basks in the glow of sunrise.

DECEMBER 25. In the icy early morning, I lie awake wondering about the new experience I will soon be having, like a child who can’t wait to open their Christmas presents. Of course, I’m not a child, but a 30-year-old photographer who can’t wait to view the ancient capital of Myanmar from the heights of a hot air balloon.

To shorten the wait and calm my anxiety, I keep myself busy by packing my camera, different lenses, as well as many things I probably won’t need up in the clouds. When the hotel reception rings me at exactly 5:30am, I run to the lobby area like a child to an ice-cream van.

I’m collected by a beat-up 1950 Chevrolet bus with a wooden chassis that previously roamed the streets of Yangon. The semi-ancient transportation reminded me of taking the bus to school but instead of being crowded with hundreds of children, it’s just me and my cousin. The ride through the streets of Bagan is enjoyable though, and we finally arrive at the Bagan football field, where three hot air balloons are waiting.

The 24 of us – of many different nationalities – gathered at the field are treated to breakfast, coffee and cookies, and we fill our stomachs while the crew briefs us on the safety precautions for the flight.

We’re divided into three groups of eight, and we pile into the balloon’s bamboo basket with our big German pilot, Andy. We take off first, giving me the perfect chance to photograph from the air the other two balloons preparing to lift off.

The sky is dark though and the sun still some way off but threatening to crest the horizon. Looking at Bagan, the city visited many times growing up, from the sky in the early hours of morning is something that I had never expected to experience in my life.

The clouds holding back the silky rays of sunlight look like a masterpiece created by a great artist. The balloon rises with the sun and we get to see the beginning of a peaceful Bagan day. The sky’s colour begins to turn blue, signalling to the birds that it’s wake up time, and the trees shift from black dots to green foliage. The visibility continues to improve as we float and the landscape changes before our eyes. It is just simply breathtaking.

We travel over Old Bagan, which gives us a perfect view of the famous Shwezigon, Dha Ma Yan Gyi, Arnandar and many other ancient pagodas. In the background, the Ayeyarwady River and Tant Chi Taung mountain range loom.

We are so enthralled that we don’t even notice the balloon slowly descend towards Bagan football field, with Andy at the helm. We can see the busy ground crew preparing for our landing, which is smooth and exciting. The landing is smooth, exciting and memorable: Just like the rest of the flight.

After the smooth landing, more cookies and champagne await us in the breakfast area and the pilots sign our certificate for hot air balloon flight. Right after we toast our achievement, the buses are waiting to take us back to our respective hotel. During the journey to the hotel, I remember the moment when we were suspended in the air above the pagodas of Old Bagan – memories as vivid as any of the photos I’ve taken.