Since I've frenzied reading lots of travel blogs, I became more inspired and the urge to of travelling independently and out of my own expense became a reality.
The Travel
My dad was kind enough to drop me off in Dagupan where I would meet my friend and travel buddy. After the drop off and rendezvous with my friend, Maebz, we rode a 5 Star bus going to Pasay because the Dagupan to Dau bus just left and besides the bus going to Pasay is going to stop over at the Dau Terminal. The trip took us approximately 6 hours from Dagupan to Dau.
- Fare: P197
Lost
When we got to Dau, we rode a jeep going to Angeles (Fare: P10). We were not sure where we're headed so we asked the passengers, they said we rode the wrong jeep if we want to reach our hotel. Going to Hotel California (where we were booked) we should've rode the C-point or Hensonville jeep. We got off the Angeles jeepney immediately and still clueless we had to ask around. We even thought of riding a tribike but they cost P100! That was clearly out of the budget. We asked the locals (the locals who looks trustworthy) they directed us to ride the Hensonville jeep. Doing what has been instructed, we rode a Hensonville jeep with our eyes wide open to spot our Hotel. With a fare of P8 we found our way to our hotel, rested and refreshed ourselves a little.
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| Maebz is TIRED! |
We were both starving so we headed to the hotel's restaurant. There were little choices on the menu so we decided to head for SM Clark which was very near our hotel. Asking for the hotel's shuttle service was a disappointment, the shuttle costs P100 drop off to SM Clark and P200 drop off to Clark Airfield. We then hopped on a Hensonville Jeep (Fare: P8) and dropped ourselves off where SM Clark was already a walking distance near and besides it was cheaper to eat outside than at the hotel.
- Jeep to SM- P8
- Tokyo Tokyo lunch-
- SB Frappe
- Jeep back to Hotel- P8
We had to go back to the hotel because I had to change my slippers into shoes. We also had to get our things because we decided to head straight back to Baguio after the festivity.
So we wasted so much time going back to the hotel and we were catching our time if we want to see a good view of the Hot Air Balloons. We decided to get a tribike to take us straight to where the jeepneys going to Clark Airfield were. We were both frugal so Maebz haggled with the tribike driver. From P100 fare we got a ride for P60. Not bad since were were really out of time.
- Tribike to Clark jeepney- P60
- Clark jeepney to Airfield- P10
Hot Air Balloon 2012 (Night Glow) Experience
- Ticket Entrance- P200
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| Our tickets... |
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| Lotsa people! |
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| I'm such a kid.. |
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| Drooling over these.. |
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| It won't hurt to fly a kite... |
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| More kites.. |
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As night was falling we gathered by the area where the Hot Air Balloons will take flight. The first Hot Air Balloon (SM) was being heated up and the crowd was going wild with their cameras all up and shooting! But much to our dismay the wind kicked in and it was taking down the balloons. In short, with 4 Hot Air Balloons the organizers had to cancel because the wind was just too strong and it was not anymore advisable to push through.
WE WERE DEVASTATED! Feeling like everything was surreal we stood there and still waited but it took us a few moments to realize that it was cancelled. But at least they showcased the 3 large lanterns they made. But it still did not compensate the excitement we had for the Night Glow presentation.
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| I want to try it too! |
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| It seems it'll never end... |
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| Night Glow Experience |
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| Even the hedgehog knows we won't see much! |
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| Light Spectacles |
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| DEVASTATED! |
Going Home
I knew it was a good thing to change into my shoes (I read in other blogs that after the Hot Air you would have to take a long walk to get a ride, if you're lucky!). We did walk far and long along with the other spectators and my back was just going to give up on me because of my scoliosis and my back pack was somehow heavy (I'm not good at packing light clothing!). When i was about to drop dead on the ground (over, drop dead talaga!) Maebz saw glimpse of an empty jeepney and we all ran to it! The jeep for some reason did not stop so we had to run fast and hold on(while running) to get a ride! Ay nako! I almost missed a step that would end my life (seriously!), I could have been trampled to death! Anyways the people who got in the jeep first helped me in and off to Dau we went.
Upon arriving to Dau, we ate at Shakeys then rode a jeep up to Baguio.
- Jeep to Dau- P25
- Shakeys-
- Bus to Baguio
- Taxi to home base
Now that ends our Hot Air Balloon 2012 escapade.
Till next time..
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| Hella tired.. |
TIPS:
1.) It's better to watch the Hot Air Balloon in the MORNING. Night glow, as much as it may seem exciting, has more risk of cancelling because wind tend to be stronger at night. (Or we were just unlucky)
2.) Pack light! When you know that you're staying for no longer than one day, don't pack extra stuff that would make you look like a hardworking pack mule!
3.) Wear footwear ready for walking or running. More often than not, every after the Hot Air Balloons fly people flock home, thus leaving you with a hard time looking for a public transportation home. As discussed earlier I was lucky that I decided to wear my shoes.
4.) Remember to always bring lose change with you. You're riding a public transpo, they don't change P1000 bills.
4.) Remember to always bring lose change with you. You're riding a public transpo, they don't change P1000 bills.
SNAPSHOTS:
