..I’ve been meaning to watched the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival for several years now.. it’s been 16 years that Clark is hosting this event yearly during the 2nd week of February. This time, with the SCTEX connecting Subic and Clark – I can easily drive my way to finally see the Hot Air Ballon Festival 2011.
..It was previously announced that 27 hot air balloons will participate in the annual event inside the Clark Economic Zone in Pampanga. The event scheduled on Feb. 10-13 to be participated by, aside from the Philippines, the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Hungary, Finland, Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia. General Admission Tickets is at P150.00 – very minimal so people flocked the event..
..We left home by 5am.. literally 5am – got to wake up the bratz at 4am to prepare.. it was a 45 mins. drive so we should be in Clark by 6am give and take the queue to get in the site.. as we are approaching Clark, we saw the long lines of cars bumper to bumbler patiently moving slowly to get close to the gate..whheeewwww!!
..It was previously announced that 27 hot air balloons will participate in the annual event inside the Clark Economic Zone in Pampanga. The event scheduled on Feb. 10-13 to be participated by, aside from the Philippines, the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Hungary, Finland, Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia. General Admission Tickets is at P150.00 – very minimal so people flocked the event..
..We left home by 5am.. literally 5am – got to wake up the bratz at 4am to prepare.. it was a 45 mins. drive so we should be in Clark by 6am give and take the queue to get in the site.. as we are approaching Clark, we saw the long lines of cars bumper to bumbler patiently moving slowly to get close to the gate..whheeewwww!!
.. we finally exited Clark South gate and wallaaahh! As soon as we turn right toward the site.. we too became one of the cars patiently moving as a snail to get closer to the event gate..we saw from our car window all the other Balloons already up in the Blue Sky..the bratz love the one with the house design with cute little characters overlooking the window.. but I am too anxious to see my fave.. Dark Vader.. (previously saw it on the paper and was just too excited to see on my won eyes)..
..some balloons are already up in the air making us fascinated with its amazing designs and incredible shapes .. Vader where are you ???
..Aside from the display of a plethora of multi-colored hot air balloons, the festival also features a number of expedition events such as skydiving, flag jumps, micro-light aircraft and rocketry demonstrations, small plane fly-bys and fly-ins, remote-control airplane and helicopter flying exhibitions, freestyle aerobatics, precision maneuvers, light airplane balloon bursting, ultra-light flying formation and bomb dropping, kite-making and choreographed kite-flying, hi-start launch gliding, pylon racing, banner towing, aero-modeling symposium and races between ultra lights and motorcycles1.
.. some people already quit to move with the traffic and settle to watch the festivities by the fence.. some set up their picnic mats and chairs.. those photography enthusiast, with all their high powered lenses are all so busy taking pictures of this wonderful site up in the blue sky..
.. some people already quit to move with the traffic and settle to watch the festivities by the fence.. some set up their picnic mats and chairs.. those photography enthusiast, with all their high powered lenses are all so busy taking pictures of this wonderful site up in the blue sky..
.. after so much of snail moving and finding a parking slot.. we made it to the entry gates by 8am.. i am guessing all these people were here long before dawn..tsk tsk.. we should left the house at midnight and just camp here to rest till morning!!
... there so many exhibits to see inside to keep you occupied and have the photo op.. but you need to make your way in the thick crowd.. trully people flocked the event... all other activities keep on and on up in the sky as the hour goes and the heat filled the Air..food stalls are all around to keep you filled up.. there are also souvineer shops..we got those paper made hot air balloon replica- now hangs on the bratz room, whenever my 1 year old niece sees it, she would say "GANDA"..some actually have to lined up for almost an hour just to buy one of those with the stick hot air balloon replica..
.. after filling up our tummy with Burger King- you need to just settle to what they have on stock.. some meal sets are no longer availabe..we headed to SM and Marquee mall for some airconditioned air..
..when we came back to the site at around 4pm.. kites filled the sky and sky divers are gliding around.. we brought in some pizza and lay down our mats and enjoyed the afternoon.. we are all set to see the "Night Glow"...
The Night Glow was equally owesome.. the balloons lit as the evening envelop the sky... there was the most adorable Vader again.. litting up in the early evening sky.. trully magnificent.. As the Event envelopes to its final hours... the sky was filled with firewoks as the Event culminates..
... it was all worth it...spending the day to see this event.. next year.. all of you that wants to be part of this amazing festivities - be there early... better yet you may checked-in within Clark to get the glimpse of the early morning flight.. and end your day with the Night Glow..
..Clark is north of Manila, approximately one hour drive thru the Northern Luzon Express Way.. Clark used to be an American Airfield, the base of US Airforce.. These airshow is not new to Clark.. during the time of the US Airforce.. Annually they hold prestiguous Air Shows that showcases American Jets and sky demonstrations... if I remember it right- they used to hold this shows during the 4th of July....
Posted: 22 February 2011, 9:55 p.m. (PhilippineTime)
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