Little Miss Backpacker goes to the 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival | Part 2

It was almost 4 AM when I reached the entrance to the Hot Air Balloon Festival and there were already few people when I arrived. I patiently waited in line while I watched a lot of people arriving. The gate opened at exactly 5:30. 

To be honest, I was quite disappointed with the way they handled the entry of the people. It wasn't organized compared to last year. They first let the ones who already had tickets to get in and for us who didn't have tickets yet, we had to wait. There were no signs where ticket & non-holders should fall in line. I remembered one lady guard even said "Yong mga walang ticket, wag kayong magulo, nakakabala kayo." I found it really rude for her to say that considering that we've travelled so far just to get there early and besides, it wasn't our fault that they were not organized. *face palm*

Non-ticket holders started complaining here and there so the guards had no choice but to let us in already. *muahahaha* However, we still had to fall in line again to buy our tickets. So there, I bought mine and finally I was able to enter! Such a relief! It was a not-so long walk (for me) before I reach the event ground itself. 

A beautiful sunrise welcomed us that morning and I was so happy to be able to take a photo of it. It was a great feeling to see Mr. Sun again after few days of continuos rain. 

I was so happy to get up close with the hot air balloons as they were being set up. Here are some of the photos I took that morning:

What a big bouquet of Tulips! Imagine yourself receiving this on Valentines Day? HAHA!

Heating up the Balloon

And of course I wouldn't let this day pass without having a picture with balloons on my background. It's a must! However if you're travelling solo like me, you had to ask some stranger to take your photo. So a big big thank  you to the photographer who willingly took my photos. *hehe*

See SM got it all for you - even Hot Air Balloon! HAHA.

Flying bouquet of tulips, one of my favorite this year! 

One of the favorite photos I took that day, a mother and son moment. The cute little boy taking a photo of his mom. Very cute and sweet indeed. 

Why hello there Mr. Pilot. 

With the Event Director himself, Captain Joy Roa. (Please forgive my messy hair! I forgot to bring my hairbrush with me. Haha! )

This one was unexpected, but he made my day even more memorable. That's Gerald Anderson in awe while watching the Breitling Jet Team's aerobatic performance, one of the highlights of the event. Paparazzi Shot eh!

And of course I just had to! :)

It was indeed a day of everything that flies. I'm really grateful that Mr. Sun did show up that day. My solo travelling was worth it! I couldn't explain the different kind of happiness I feel whenever I get to see hot air balloons flying everywhere. It's that one time of the year that I always look forward to. It's actually my 3rd time here and it only gets better every year. But wait, my day didn't end here just yet. Read more of my Hot Air Balloon Festival Day HERE.

Godbless! :)

- LMB xx

Little Miss Backpacker goes to the 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival | Part 1

"A Weekend of Everything That Flies: 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival"

To go or not to go? - that was the question. 

It was already 7 PM when I finally decided to go to the Hot Air Balloon Fest. I had a hard time deciding whether I'd go or not because of two reasons: 1st - I was still recovering from the oral surgery I had 3 days ago and 2nd - it had been raining for the past few days and I had worries that it might still rain last Saturday. But thanks to the weather forecast c/o my iphone, it said it's gonna be a Sunny Saturday... and luckily it was!

After I've finally made up my mind, I grabbed my backpack, camera, few extra clothes and moolah then I was set to go. I was already at the Lipa bus station by  8:30 and the bus going to Cubao left at exactly 9 PM. 

It was a solo trip and actually my first time to commute to Pampanga. I had no idea how to reach Clark by commute, thanks to google for all the info I needed to get there. I reached Cubao before 11 PM. It was too early to leave for Pampanga yet so I decided to stay at Chowking near Victory Liner for awhile and had my very late dinner there. At exactly 12 Midnight I went to Victory Liner to check if there was still a trip going to Dagupan. (You can take any North Bound Bus and ask the driver to drop you off at Dau Terminal in Pampanga.) Unfortunately, the last trip going to Dagupan had left already and the first trip in the morning was at 4:30 AM. There were only trips going to Baguio, but what do you expect? It's Panagbenga Festival as well so sad to say, all tickets were sold out already.

I looked for other options, and good thing another bus line was offering a 24-hour trips to Dau. Thanks to Pangasinan Solid North Transit. The bus left at exactly 1 AM. I was filled with excitement as I was sitting on the bus seat and I really didn't mind having a swollen face at all. Adventure it is! 

I was able to arrive safely at Dau Terminal around 2:30 AM. I stayed at Jollibee for awhile and saw some people who were also heading to the Hot Air Balloon Fest. I left Jollibee at 3:30 and took a trike going to the jeepney terminal. And from there, I took the jeepney that could drop me off the field where the fest was held. The driver didn't drop us at the entrance so I had no choice but to walk to the entrance. It wasn't that far though.

PART 2 of the Hot Air Balloon Festival HERE

Godbless! :)

- LMB xx