A Trip to Clark [Day 1: Nayong Pilipino]

Last February 23-24, we went to Clark to see the 2013 Hot Air Balloon Festival. We decided to book a hotel so that we can be at the grounds as early as 5am to get a good spot and strategic parking. It was only a few days before that weekend that we looked for a hotel. Almost all nearby hotels were fully booked. We had a hard time looking for one because we were a group of 12 (2 pre-schoolers, 2 teens, 2 seniors and 6 adults). Luckily, we were able to get a booking in Tune Hotel (will blog about this soon).

We left Las Pinas as early as 6am for a convoy to avoid Manila traffic and had breakfast around 7:30am at one of the gas stations in NLEX.

At 9am, we were off to Clark. I realized that day that Clark is very near. We arrived at the Freeport Zone around 10am. We drove around to see where we can hang out since the check-in time at the hotel is at 2pm. Clark field is very wide. I think this is the right place if ever there will be a Disneyland in the Philippines.

Too bad mostly all duty free shops in Clark were already closed 🙁 So we didn’t do any shopping. Ok na rin para tipid 🙂 So we did an ocular of the vicinity so that we’ll know the exact place of the Hot Air Balloon Festival the next day.

After seeing where the parking and drop-off points were for the festival, we went to Nayong Pilipino Clark. The last time I went to a Nayong Pilipino was when I was still in grade school and it was still in Paranaque near the airport.

The entrance fees were affordable and to make the most out of it, make sure to check out all the areas inside Nayong Pilipino.

Here are some pictures I took while strolling….

Si Malakas at si Maganda

Ampitheater

Lechon

Bibingka and Puto Bumbong

Music to be more festive

We decided to have lunch in a restaurant called Salangi. I’m not sure if this is the only restaurant inside Nayong Pilipino. The dining area is inside the airy bahay kubo while there’s a sari-sari store under it.

They serve Filipino dishes that are good to share. The waiting time is a little long but we the big bahay kubo windows let us watch the activities happening outside. Their specialty is the daing na bangus. It was good except that it was not really boneless. I forgot to take pics of the food we ordered but overall the taste was good and satisfied our tummies. Check out our bill below. Affordable for a group of 12 🙂

Nayong Pilipino also had foreign guests for lunch. We thought that they came from the Hot Air Balloon participants. The foreign visitors were even dressed in traditional Filipino attire.

After lunch, we decided to stroll around to check out what Filipino cultures can be seen inside.

Nanay and Tatay

Replica of Barasoain Church

Plaza nice for photo ops

It was scorching hot that time so we decided to leave since we have two senior citizens with us who needs to rest and stay away from the heat of the sun. Off we went to our hotel just in time for the 2pm check-in.