HOT SKIES - a Philippine Hot Air Balloon Experience

When you're given the opportunity to see hot air balloons, I mean real ones, for the first time, you'll instantly grab it right? But if it means you have to wake up at 3:00 am with a toddler in tow, I'm sure you'll have second thoughts. But there's always a way to a good compromise. Since we wanted to see the 12th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival, but we don't want to wake up very early just to see the balloons in flight, we decided that an overnight stay in Pampanga would solve our dilemma. We scouted for a resort or hotel that was very near Clark Field and can accomodate 6 adults and 1 kid in one room. I have 3 requirements - 1.) it should have a room big enough for me, my husband, my daughter, my sister and her boyfriend, my mother and father-in-law; 2.) it should have a swimming pool because my daughter loves to swim; 3.) food should be allowed inside the rooms because we'll bring in our own food so the we want this trip to be as cost efficient as possible. I found that place in Woodland Park Resort. It fits to a T. So we made the reservations and brought in the whole family. It was such as happy experience since it's our first. We arrived at 10:30 am. We headed straight to Clarkfield to see what's happening in the festival.

We had a picture-taking field day. Photos of aircrafts, guns, pinwheels and kites.

I was able to enjoy a serving of chicken shawarma which was divine because I really don't eat pork and beef. We headed to our hotel to eat lunch and take a nap.

At 4pm, we decided that it was time to swim. The swimming pool wasn't what we imagined - floating leaves and very, very cold water. But since my daughter is a fish, she didn't want to get out of it even if her lips have turned blue. Of course, no sane parent would agree for her to stay longer so we took her out even with so much protest.

We went back to the Festival grounds at 5pm to witness the night glow - this is when the balloons are inflated but they stayed on the ground. The effect would be similar to that of giant light bulbs. We were not so lucky. The balloons couldn't inflate because the wind was too strong. But we were able to witness the tiki-tiki dance. The burners are lighted up minus the hot air balloons. We also went to Boom na Boom sa Clark. It's like a carnival. Although we didn't stay long enough, we had fun playing the toss-a-coin-to-the square game and bingo. We won some, we lost some.

The next day, we woke up at 5am to witness the balloons in flight. I think our timing was good because we were able to witness how the balloons were inflated. Green, yellow, red, white - One after the other they flew. The cutest picks - the octopus balloon from Japan and the tiger balloon by Kellogg's. The rest of the morning we spent flying kites and waiting for parachuters.

We also went to Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo. We arrived around 10 minutes before 10am. We learned that there's a mass at Barasoain Church. So we heard mass. After that, I wandered around to take photos of the "old houses" and mayas lounging at the fountain.

We went back to the resort around 12nn. They allowed us to check out at 1:30 which was a good thing because we haven't taken our baths and we haven't eaten lunch. We arrived in Manila around 3:30pm. Great weekend getaway.

SUPERWOMOM'S NOTES:

Woodland Park Resort - In terms of value for money, I'm giving it an 8. We paid P2,940 for a room of six (this includes two extra mattresses). At that time, they have a promo - 20% off room rates for cash payments. The swimming pool wasn't great but it wasn't bad, except that the water is really chilly and it's not spanking clean. For more information, you may visit their website at http://www.woodland.ph/ or call (0916) 2130803.