I asked some of my friends if they wanted to go to the Hot Air Balloon Festival this year since either one of us had not yet experienced it ever. But since it was held on the dates before the Valentines Day and on the day itself, my convincing powers didn't pushed thru. I thought that I could not witness this event since it will be held in Clark and I don't have anyone to come with me. I was thinking to go alone since I never had tried by myself.
Fortunately, one of my college classmate wanted to go too but she is with her officemates and they are scheduled to leave Manila around 9am but I convinced her that the event would start at 6am and the next show would be at the sunset.
She agreed to come with me and leave Manila around 3am. We rode the Victory Liner bus going to Dagupan with a stop at the Dau Bus Terminal. We walked to the main road and hopped to a jeepney going to the terminal at the entrance of Clark.
The venue was easily visible because people are flocking to the place since it was the last day of the festival. Traffic was already building up and queues are getting longer. Parking lots are available but you'll have a hard time to find a vacancy if you are not that early.
Around 5:30am, the balloons were laid down to the ground and the heat is on. Every time the flames are warming up the people starts to make noise and of course flaunt their cameras for a shot.
We knew that the event was officially opened when one of the aircraft flew and the Philippine flag was already waving in the air.
I browsed to the crowd when there's enough light to see them and wow there are alot of us waiting for this event to happen, people in all ages. We're worried because it was cloudy during this day and it seems that it would rain anytime but luckily it didn't.
I feel I was like a child again when I see those pieces of cloth turned into huge balloons. Since here in the Philippines, it is not common for us to see this kind of floating inventions, the kid in us would definitely come out.
I think there are more that 20 balloons which are blown up for the event since this is the last day. There are the common balloons and there are the beer, house, sun and turtle balloons.
The balloons are scattered throughout the field so that the people would not be in a specific place to see them all but of course you want to see it 180 degrees from where you are standing.
After they blew up the whole thing and the riders are already secured, they are ready to go. Para-gliders are also there flaunting their toys. They could even fly lower than you'll be expecting.
The unusual shaped balloons are the most cheered among those balloons since the common ones are used mainly for advertising.
After almost all of the balloons were already up, the crowd started to leave or eat at the food stalls.
After the balloons returned from a 10 to 15 minutes flight, kites are everywhere.
Light-weight aircrafts showcased their ability to fly and play in the sky.
The presidential aircraft, light-weight aircrafts and airplanes were also in display but only a few of them is available for the public to take pictures with.
Different information about airplanes are available at their exhibit. Aviation schools are also there to present the course they offer. Tanks, helicopter and jeepneys from the army are also in display. You could take your pictures with the army, navy and air-force soldiers in uniform and even the gadgets they used which are very heavy.
Souvenir shirts, toys, henna tattoos are available at the stalls. There are also photo booths where your picture could be placed like you are really riding the balloon. The newly opened MarQuee Mall offers free ride to and from the Hot Air Balloon Festival and vice versa.
The venue was easily visible because people are flocking to the place since it was the last day of the festival. Traffic was already building up and queues are getting longer. Parking lots are available but you'll have a hard time to find a vacancy if you are not that early.Security marshals and soldiers are everywhere. There are Aetas too selling their products like the piece of bamboo that when you blow into it, produces bird-like sounds. The ticket for the event was PhP 150 per person.
When we are already inside, there are already people camping on the grounds, booths are prepping up for the day's event and even the hotdog stands are already operational. So we bought some hotdogs for our breakfast and find some space to have that perfect spot for the show.
Around 5:30am, the balloons were laid down to the ground and the heat is on. Every time the flames are warming up the people starts to make noise and of course flaunt their cameras for a shot.We knew that the event was officially opened when one of the aircraft flew and the Philippine flag was already waving in the air.I browsed to the crowd when there's enough light to see them and wow there are alot of us waiting for this event to happen, people in all ages. We're worried because it was cloudy during this day and it seems that it would rain anytime but luckily it didn't.I feel I was like a child again when I see those pieces of cloth turned into huge balloons. Since here in the Philippines, it is not common for us to see this kind of floating inventions, the kid in us would definitely come out.I think there are more that 20 balloons which are blown up for the event since this is the last day. There are the common balloons and there are the beer, house, sun and turtle balloons.The balloons are scattered throughout the field so that the people would not be in a specific place to see them all but of course you want to see it 180 degrees from where you are standing.After they blew up the whole thing and the riders are already secured, they are ready to go. Para-gliders are also there flaunting their toys. They could even fly lower than you'll be expecting.The unusual shaped balloons are the most cheered among those balloons since the common ones are used mainly for advertising.After almost all of the balloons were already up, the crowd started to leave or eat at the food stalls.After the balloons returned from a 10 to 15 minutes flight, kites are everywhere.Light-weight aircrafts showcased their ability to fly and play in the sky.A recycled metal-made Alien and a Predator was on display but you have to pay PhP 50 if you want to take a picture with them.
The presidential aircraft, light-weight aircrafts and airplanes were also in display but only a few of them is available for the public to take pictures with.Different information about airplanes are available at their exhibit. Aviation schools are also there to present the course they offer. Tanks, helicopter and jeepneys from the army are also in display. You could take your pictures with the army, navy and air-force soldiers in uniform and even the gadgets they used which are very heavy.Souvenir shirts, toys, henna tattoos are available at the stalls. There are also photo booths where your picture could be placed like you are really riding the balloon. The newly opened MarQuee Mall offers free ride to and from the Hot Air Balloon Festival and vice versa. This is absolutely a great experience for those who want to see these unusual things in our country. For those who missed it, the Hot Air Balloon Festival is held annually, usually in the months of January or February. c",)
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