17th Hot Air Balloon Festival from afar

 

I still thank the Lord 'coz I was able to take some photos of the flying Hot Air Balloon last Sunday even if we arrived late. Yes folks, I took this particular photo while I am inside the car. The wonders of zoom lens and photo cropping ha ha ha! How I wish I know how to photoshop my photos so they would appear beautiful.

Armed with a ticket, which I got for free from Ann Saturno. Gabz, Francis, Ann and I  walked towards the entrance where everything is said to be flying that weekend.

Oh, the sunflower is peeking at the corner of the billboard. We could see the mighty sunflower from our car window. As you can see, there's traffic.

The yellow car flying and in the left corner you could see a skydiver.  Yeah, I know, you will be needing a magnifying lens guys and gals. I am so sorry for that. I tried my best and I guess my best wasn't good enough.

There's no sun when we arrived. The sky is white so I put some blue to the picture. Pinulbosan? Ha ha ha! Pasensya na po, hindi po ako marunong mag Photoshop Picasa lang po yan. Ang mahal naman kasi ng seminar para matuto ako mag photoshop. Sino pwede mag sponsor dyan?:-)

Aba kaganda naman mag sky dive! Sana next year magkaroon ako ng pagkakataon maka pag sky diving!

Aba patatalo ba ang paraglider na ito?

Ako naman! Ha ha ha! O ha! Opo ako po yan! Pero hindi po ako nag sky dive, fun shot lang po.

Entrance Banner, yes may picture ako dyan kaso di ko nilabas dito dahil para akong sinabunutan, nakaligtaan ko mag suklay kasi binitbit ko yun food:-)

 

Sana sa munti kong paraan ay nag enjoy kayo sa 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival! Hanggang sa muli! Mabuhay ka Pilipino!

17th HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA TICKETS 2012

People had to queue on a very long line under the heat of the sun just to buy the entrance ticket to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga.  I hope the organizers will come up with a better system next year and set a ceiling price for the ticket price. One had to pay a contribution of P200.00 to get an entrance ticket good for one day.

Some businessmen resell the ticket at a higher price and had even asked their clients to buy a package tour consisting of breakfast, lunch or dinner which is not only overpriced but the food is also very limited and cold.  Allegedly they had to walk for 10 to 15 minutes to get to the entrance of the event. Some had expressed disappointments when the shuttle which had advertised to give them comfort gave them a nightmare instead allegedly because of overcapacity and disorganized staff of that particular company. 

I hope the management and staff will be fair to their paying clients. Please give them seat numbers upon purchasing of their tickets and please avoid overcapacity wherein you let paying clients sit on the aisle. I think that is unfair. And please have your toilet flush repaired. Yep, there's no flush inside your toilets.

                             

Don’t let problems like these though put a damper on the thrills and excitement of the 2013 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga.  

Set up the trip well in advance and enjoy this famous annual festival in style and comfort by coming early or staying in Pampanga overnight so you will not miss the first flight of the hot air balloon.

FUN SHOTS AT THE 17TH HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA 2012

FUN SHOTS AT THE 17TH HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA 2012

I went skydiving at the 17th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Well, that was actually my dialogue in one of my dreams. Until I chance upon this booth that offer fun shots @ the 17th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta for P 80.00 per piece.

My dream of going skydiving has now a proof for only P80.00 ha ha ha!

Kids do it live don't be a chicken like me. Go for your dreams!

Actually, I did not chickened out. My neurosurgeon doesn't like me to engaged in extreme sports. I've done paragliding in Boracay way back in 2008.  I celebrated my birthday in Boracay alone in 2008 and I engaged into different water sports such as banana boat ride, speed boat ride, jet ski, deep sea helmet diving, snorkeling and paragliding. If my doctor would allow me today to paraglide, or sky dive or ride a hot air balloon I would be very happy to obliged. Best regards to the director of Tourism for Region three. Hello there siree! Don't forget your promise that you will let us ride @ the Hot Air Balloon next year!

17TH HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA

 

Good Morning, Philippines! Special thanks to Dg Formoso for the wonderful pictures of the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival held last February 9- 12, 2012 @ Clark, Airfields in Pampanga, Philippines.

The sunflower wink at me ha ha ha!

 

 

We got to Clark airbase just in time to see the Hot Air Balloon flew in the sky. We were actually still inside the car so the pictures I have here is courtesy of REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco.

The Hot Air Balloons festival was on its 17th year now. They were held at the former U.S. base in Clark,Pampanga, north of Manila from February 9 to 12, 2012.

The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an event that started in 1994. It is considered the biggest aviation event in the country.

At least 26 hot air balloons, including six specially shaped balloons were flown in to participate in this year's Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

 

We woke up at 1:30 a.m. after only an hour of sleep and drove all the way from Manila at 3:30 in the morning. This was the first time that we got to see the hot air balloon Fiesta live.

Aerial view of the 17th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

 

Map

Aside from hot air balloons, military aircraft, kites and radio-controlled turbine jets also occupy the sky during the 17th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

Overall it was a nice event. Ordinary mortals like you and me get to interact with people from the aviation industry. We got to see and experienced everything that flies from hot air balloons, fighter jets, sky lanterns, sky divers, air shows, airplanes, mini airplanes, gliders, kites,etc. 

We paid a P200 contribution per person for the entrance ticket! There are tons of freebies from different sponsors and lots of food concessionaires. Best time to go to this event is either in the early morning or late afternoon. We would love to go there again next year!