A Trip to Clark [Day 2: Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013] Plus an IMPORTANT LESSON

Going to the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is one of those things in my bucket list. So I was thrilled when our plan pushed thru. What’s even more favorable for my family was that our tickets were FREE! Thanks to our sponsor 🙂

Our tickets were bought from SM Ticketnet to avoid the crowd and lines in the event site.

 

The night before our chosen date to watch the festival, we had dinner in Max’s Restaurant in SM City Clark. It was near Tune Hotels where we stayed overnight. We slept early so we’ll be up as early as 4:30 am to prepare ourselves. Our target was to be on the site at exactly 5am. But based from previous experiences, traveling with a group especially with kids and senior citizens (and a vain uncle lol!) needs a lot more time.

Our two vehicles were supposed to park near the entrance but at 5:30am, parking was already full (need to park farther) and traffic was starting to build. So what we did was we were dropped off at the entrance (under the bridge) while Mark and my aunt’s hubby look for a place to park. They decided to park near our hotel and just walked towards the site. It was a long walk.

There were a lot of people. Some brought picnic food, tents and chairs. I only brought a picnic mat for the kids. Since we didn’t have breakfast yet, I bought taho for the kids and me.

At the entrance, there were long lines. Those without tickets can still buy tickets at the entrance. After passing thru the entrance, there was a very long walk going to the event site. But there was a shuttle service for senior citizens and preggy moms. Thank God we were able to ride the shuttle (thanks to Nanay and Tatay) even if it was just a short ride because the kids will surely get tired.

Since we were still early, we can still choose a nice spot to stay. But we decided not to park ourselves together with the crowd and just settle at a vacant tent and got chairs for Nanay and Tatay.

The hot air balloons were still being prepared so I took the chance to take pictures around.

Kelsea and Charles fooling around

It was a cloudy day. No sun so pictures were not that great. But it’s better than rain or being under the heat of the sun.

Here were the hot air balloons presented during the festival. It was an international event so each hot air balloon represents a country. Pick your own favorite choice!

This is my personal fave 🙂

And this one too 🙂

Too bad the elephant hot air balloon didn’t get to fly. Maybe it’s too heavy? 🙂 LOL!

After the hot air balloons flew off, there were other shows like the Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition. I heard there was one lady pilot 🙂

Remember the tent where Nanay and Tatay stayed? It was the tent of the Philippine Sky Diving Team where in they sold t-shirts. To sky dive is also in my bucket list 🙂 We were able to have a group shot together with the team but I don’t have a copy yet of the pic which is still in my uncle’s cam.

Beside the sky diving team tent was where photographers can sign-up for Php1,000 to be able to get a closer shot of the hot air balloons. Php500 is refundable.

Here’s a shot I took which shows only a small part of the crowd.

There were food and drinks stalls so people can fill-up their tummies. There were also souvenir shops selling t-shirts, small hot air balloons and kites.

There was really such a big crowd. So one big advice for parents is to please hold on to your kids. Because the most frightening thing that could happen to a child and parents happened to us. Somebody got lost. It was not Kelsea but my nephew Charles. It was a case of miscommunication between me and my uncle. After buying food, we both thought that Charles was with either of us. But when we arrive at the tent, that’s were we realized that we have left Charles 🙁

It was a nightmare for me to lose my nephew which was my big responsibility since his mom (my sister) and my parents (who are usually looking after him) were not with us. I think I was too busy with my own family that I was too sure that he was with my uncle. The men (Mark, my uncle and my aunt’s hubby) looked for Charles. We were all so worried.

While my kid cousins, me and Kelsea waited at the tent, Tintin suddenly saw Charles with a security officer. We immediately got him and asked how he was and what happened during the time we were away from him.

He told us that a good man who was in the line buying food (maybe at our back when we were still buying) noticed that he was left and now lost. He carried Charles on his shoulder so that my nephew can see if we were still around. But with too many people around, a kid can’t possibly see us. The good man brought him to a security officer to report a lost kid. That was when we saw Charles with the security officer being brought to a safe place.

We were all so relieved and thankful that he was found and not taken by evil ones. So, to whoever that good man was who carried my nephew and submitted him to a security offer, I thank you!!!!

I also want to say how proud I am of my nephew because he did not cry. He was really brave. His grandma and grandpa prepared him well.

Let this serve as a lesson for all. Whether you are attending the hot air balloon festival or just somewhere with your kids. Have presence of mind and good communication with the persons with you when tagging kids along.