“The fantastic landscape of Bagan in Myanmar features hundreds of temples and pagodas as far as the eye can see. Experiencing this sight at dawn from the basket of a hot air balloon will remain engraved in my memory for ever. Mick Ryan, judge – What a magical photograph and place. The Buddhist temples and pagodas fill the plains of Bagan in Myanmar at sunrise… the golden hour providing beautiful light to illuminate the retrogression of the temples and balloons toward a misty, mountainous distance. An excellent, exotic photograph that makes you want to book a flight”. (Photo by Alastair Swan/The Guardian)

Workers inflate and secure giant helium balloons which will be a featured part of tomorrow's 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, New York, USA, 22 November 2023. The annual parade will feature 16 giant character helium balloons which will be lead down the street by teams of people. (Photo by Justin Lane/EPA)

The Dora the Explorer balloon moves through Times Square during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade Thursday, November 23, 2006 in New York. (Photo by Frank Franklin II/AP Photo)

A Syrian boy sells balloons as the sun sets over the Mediterranean waterfront promenade in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, August 23, 2025. (Photo by Bilal Hussein/AP Photo)

The Derpy Tiger balloon during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025, in New York City, U.S., November 27, 2025. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Reuters)

French artist Olivier Grossetête used three enormous helium balloons to float a rope bridge over a lake in Tatton Park, a historic estate in north-west England.

Garrison Ireland Leigon member John O'Dwyer dressed as the character Darth Vader looks out towards Skellig Michael island on May 4, 2019 in Portmagee, Ireland. The latest Star Wars movies such as The Last Jedi have featured the famous Skellig Michael islands situated off the coast of the small Irish fishing village. The May the Fourth Star Wars festival is taking place in the small County Kerry village for the second year running as millions of fans worldwide celebrate the science fiction series. The quiet costal setting has seen a sharp rise in the number of tourists and fans visiting the area. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

North Korean defectors, now living in South Korea, prepare to release balloons carrying propaganda leaflets denouncing North Korea's late leader Kim Jong-Il at Imjingak, near the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating South and North Korea on December 28, 2011 in Paju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)