11th Annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

If you actually need to get somewhere, a hot air balloon is a fairly impractical means of transporatation. You can't really steer it, and it only travels as fast as the wind blows. But if you simply want to enjoy the experience of flying, there's nothing quite like it. Many people describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of the most serene, enjoyable activities they've ever experienced.

Although this is the 11th time that the International Hot Air Balloon Fest is being held here in the country, I am still an archetypal greenhorn in the event. Clarkfield, Pampanga is again hosting the over eighty (80) massive hot air balloons which came from all parts of the world.

This event is highly recognized amongst the cluster of HOB oganizations worldwide. I wasn't able to make it in the last 10 years and almost not this year save for Stippy, who drove all the way from Batangas to Tagaytay then to Pampanga (hehe). We agreed if there is nothing to the interest of our palate, we might as well dig a chow trip in this famed Mekeni province.

The last day is when all of the fun finales can be seen. In store are the much-awaited aircraft acrobatics and para-military exercises. I am not a fanatic of this event, but the moment you see these immense bloats, you will surely be transposed with a gamut of overbearing eagerness to scream for a free ride on each of the balloons.

We're probably in luck that time for of over a thousand spectators inside the Clarkfield hangar, we were among the few who were allowed to enter the balloon grounds and have close encounters with four corporate sponsored balloons. Thanks to our friends from Total Gas, we were given a free pass to ride their HOB, otherwise we would end up taking pics 50 meters away from the fenced balloon grounds.