Summer is on its last bend, so let me share with you a look-back to one of my favorite events this summer 2012. It’s a very late post, but let’s enjoy this beautiful season, one last time 🙂
Each year, thousands of visitors troop to Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga for an exciting four-day flying fiesta. Now on its 17th year, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta has turned man’s dream of flight into one soaring reality!
As early as the break of dawn, hundreds lined up to wait for the main attraction for the day– the hot air balloon flights. Most of them came from different provinces; but for them, seeing the fiesta is one feast that’s worth the wait.
As soon as these envelopes were fired up into gigantic inflated balloons, the skies were transformed into a colorful festival. The spectators were wowed to see the oldest human-carrying flight technology up-close. For first-time passengers, it was one unforgettable moment to take the journey inside these unique baskets.
For flying aficionados, the fiesta was also the perfect time to satisfy their adrenaline rush.
Paragliders not only took the picturesque views of the majestic Mount Arayat, they also glided from the top and hovered close to the spectators in one group.
The sky was undeniably a playground for everyone all day long. From microlights and ultralights, to planes lapping up aerobatics, it was a moment of man’s passion for everything airborne.
For the thrill seekers, this moment meant flying six thousand feet above and diving back to the ground in mass drops and turbo speed.
From the festivities up above, families and barkadas also got the chance to celebrate the relaxing breeze on land. From kiting to posing with the Armed Forces and their super vehicles, the fiesta was not only about getting high spirits but also learning about the wonderful spirit of volunteerism.
The 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon definitely winged its way to another memorable year of Philippine aviation. Cheers to more years of taking more adventures up in the air!View more photos on my Flying Fiesta slideshow: