19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Pampanga x Ocean Adventure, Subic
4:30 AM
The day after I arrived from Cagayan De Oro was scheduled for the 19th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta held in Airforce City, Clarkfield Pampanga. This was my second time to visit such event. The first one was last February 2013 for its 18th year. Since I was still in CGY then, my friend took charge of buying our tickets. Entrance ticket then was PHP250.00, now it cost PHP300.00 with an additional PHP20.00 at SM Ticket Net.
As early as 3:00AM, we're already on our way to Clark, Pampanga. We took the same route as we did the first time we went here. From Five Star bus terminal in Cubao, we rode a bus bound for Dagupan then went down in Mabalacat Bus Terminal in Pampanga. There, there's the lounge for passengers bound for Clark International Airport. And since it will pass by the Omni Aviation Complex, we joined the ride for PHP100.00 each. I noticed that now, there are tricycles offering a ride to Airforce City for I think PHP100.00 per ride, cheaper, but I learned from the personel of the airport lounge that it will not bring you directly to the main event place, I think its just up to the gate/ entrance of the Airforce City, and I noticed that the entrance is still very far from the event place. So I still chose to ride the airport shuttle for a no hassle travel.
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Travelled with these two |
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plus the boyfie! |
We arrived early so we we're able to catch the beautiful sunrise and found a good spot for us to see the hot air balloon being filled with air.
If I were to compare the hot air balloon fiesta's 18th and 19th year, I must say that last 2013 is much better than this year's. But still, its a different experience this time since I travelled again with the boyfie plus two good friends of mine, Yza and Mitchiko. There are more booth around the place this year, there's more to see, more food stalls and souvenir shops.
After all the hot air balloons flew, we already roam around the place. The friends had a face/body paint, we had a picture in a photo booth, bought some souvenir and had more photos around.
Afterwards, we went back to Mabalacat bus Terminal to catch a trip to Olongapo since we'll be going to Ocean Adventure in Subic.
From the bus terminal, we rode a Victory Liner bound for Olongapo and went down in Harbor Point in Subic. From there, we walked 'til we found the terminal for the free shuttle bus to Ocean Adventure and it is located at the bus and taxi terminal across the street from the Subic Bay Sports Complex, next door to the Golden Dragon Restaurant. Take note that there's no public transportation that will take you to Ocean Adventure so its either you wait for the free shuttle or if you miss it, ride a taxi, and, its I think more than 30 minutes travel without the traffic from the shuttle pick-up point to Ocean Adventure. So, just imagine how much it will cost you if you will miss the free shuttle. But if you're travelling in a group, then its fine.
We were given a schedule of the shows so we won't miss each of it.
We were given a schedule of the shows so we won't miss each of it.
- Walk on the Wild Side
An Aeta taught us how to survive if you're in a jungle without anything. How to make a fire, cook rice and make an improvised utensils. Basically, how to survive in a jungle. We also met amazing/ endangered creatures like binturong, bat, python, and scops owl. These animals are from the Wildlife in Need Rescue Center.
- Balancing Act
These are the world-class acrobats from Kenya. They are unbelievably good and jaw-dropping with their stunts. I can't even put my phone down because I wanted to capture how amazing their performance was. They made the crowd alive and we just can't stop shouting on how good they are. Definitely world-class performance. Slow clap for the Kenyan Acrobats.
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The Kenyan Acrobats |
- Dolphin Tales
The gentle souls of the deep and dangerous oceans, I am amazed and thrilled by these dolphins. Really! Its like they are like us, they can understand and talk to people. They entertained us in a way no other animals can. To see a dolphin up close, this is definitely another check on my travel bucket list.
- Sea Lion Marine Patrol
After the Sea Lion Marine patrol, we immediately went outside Ocean Adventure to catch the shuttle back to the terminal in Subic Bay Sports Complex.
This is really a fun-filled adventure. What made it more special is that I'm with the person closest to me. I wouldn't mind waking up so early and travel for hours because I'm with these three.
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L-R: The boyfie, me, Yza & Mitchiko |
Hope I can go back to have a photo with the dolphins up close and maybe swim with them??
xx, Joyce
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