Some of us were lack of sleep, some came straight from their shifts but these didn't stopped our excitement for our overnight trip to Clark, Pampanga. We are going to see the 17h Hot Air Balloon Festival this year!
Beforehand, we have already booked for our place for an overnight stay, which is the America Hotel. We have also previously bought tickets for the event. There is no need for reserving bus tickets as there are many bus companies to choose from either in Cubao or in Pasay that goes to Pampanga. All are packed up so off we go to Clark!
It's around 04:00am in the morning, our scheduled meet up time at Cubao Bus Terminal. It took sometime before we were assembled completely. Originally, we planned to ride an air-conditioned bus of whether Victory Liner or Five Star but unfortunately there were no more available air-con buses that will leave immediately. All their next air-con buses will be leaving on a later time and we have no choice, so we ended up riding an ordinary bus instead. Fare is Php 70-75.00.
It was almost a one hour and half ride and we reached the Dau Bus Terminal. We walked all our way to the highway where we are going to ride a jeepney going to Clark Airbase. Since we are a group of 20+ people, we rented a jeepney so we can immediately reach the event place. The ride cost Php 10.00 each.
It was still dark when we reached the base and a lot of people were on their way to the entrance. The place was jam packed with people, from children to senior citizens, civilians to soldiers. It is still way to dark to see what's inside. When we managed to get inside. after combating with a large wave of people, we saw lots of stalls. From food stalls to souvenirs, lots of them! The show has not started yet and the show-makers were still preparing for their acts, so we were waiting in vain. I think we have waited more than an hour, as the show started when twilight strikes. But nevertheless, its worth the wait! :)
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| Waiting in vain! :) |
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| The Walang Kain and Walang Tulog Duo! :) |
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| Too many people |
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| Jam-packed! |
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| And the show starts... |
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| The balloons are starting to inflate |
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| Posing a shot before the balloons |
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| Up, up and away! :) |
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| The Panda and the Car! Cute! :) |
After searching for a shaded place to take a rest (the place was to crowded with people), we finally got our refuge! Hahaha. That moment, it was too hot and windy and our lack of sleep already taking its toll on us. Since we were so resourceful, we found ways to sleep and rest then after that we had our lunch.
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| Getting a quick nap |
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| Our lunch (It took zillion years before we had it) |
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| Power nap |
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| Munch, munch, munch!!! |
I think we stayed at the place for about two hours or so, since we were waiting for the clock to strike at 11 o'clock. Our scheduled check-inn time at the hotel was 12:00 noon so we have to wait till 11:00 am. We gathered ourselves and we were so sweaty and kind of exhausted, so off we go to America Hotel!
We decided to rent a jeepney going to America Hotel. It was a 10-min ride from the airbase and is just across SM Clark, fare is Php 10.00. Since I was one of the tired people and I am the one who have settled our check-inn details with the receptionist, I haven't got our arrival shots at the hotel. But anyway, time to rest and freshen up.
We planned to get back at the airbase for the night show, but apparently we were so lazy to even get up from bed! Haha! Eventually, we decided to go to SM City Clark for our early dinner and grocery shopping for our snacks, since we have planned to have night swimming at the hotel. Yes! There is a swimming pool at the hotel! We were so excited to immediately jump into the water and enjoy but to our surprise.... the pool water was soooooo freaking coooold! Brrrrr. Anyway, it didn't stopped us from munching our snacks and drank some Tanduay Ice! The life! :)
After swimming, since the pool is so freaking cold and we couldn't stand the water, we decided to call it a day and finally have a hot bath. Some of us have already slept since it getting late at night but some of us were still up and watching television. I, for the meantime, took some shots of our room(ransacked though.. haha), hotel exterior, and many more. When we arrived earlier, we were so surprised to see our room. It is too big, beyond our expectation. Two connected rooms were given to us, actually good enough 10-15 people(given that you have extra mattresses), but I guess you better be there for you to see! :)
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| The lighted area you see there is SM City Clark |
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| All fairness, their streets are clean |
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| Opening leading to the next room |
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| The bathroom is kinda gloomy, there is a vibe as if someone is there.. Awwoohh! :) |
And just before sleeping...
That was a goodnight sleep! Anyways, I think we woke up at around 09:00 am as we are now going to head back to Manila. We were scheduled to check-out at the hotel by 11:00 am so we needed good enough time to pack our things up. But before that, I got to have some shots of the hotel interior (and exterior).
We were done and ready by 10:30 am, all bags were packed and ready to go. So some of us were waiting and seated at the lobby while I was setting and completing our check-out details. Before leaving, we rested for a while and had some photo shots. And then off we go...
We took a jeepney from Clark going to Dau Bus Terminal, fare is Php 10.00. Then, we had our brunch(breakfast and lunch) at Chowking. After eating, we made our way to the bus station and rode the bus going back to Manila. There was a commotion at first but eventually we made ourselves seated and relaxed as we're on our way home.
The Hot Air Balloon Festival was a very nice and fun experience. I don't know if I or when I will come back again but if I am given the chance, together with my friends, I will go once again. Clark is a nice place to visit but the place is too hot, way hotter than Manila, and I don't know why? :)
So end of this long post!
Ciao!
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