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Monday, February 13, 2012
A REVIEW OF HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING
Some of my co-bloggers and I went to the 17th HOT AIR BALLOON and availed of Yats Int'l HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING which I prepaid for One Hundred Fifty Pesos ( P 150) last Friday, February 10, 2012 @ their office in Tektite. (Geez, imagine the hassle of going there and paying for a HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING which turned out to be not a premium location.)
When we arrived @ Clark,Pampanga yesterday morning, we were shocked to find out that it was very far from the entrance of the 17th HOT AIR BALLOON to think that it was supposed to be a HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING which usually means a premium location near the event.
Imagine our frustrations when we had to walk for fifteen (15) minutes from Yat's Int'l HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING to the event's entrance under the heat of the noon time sun and were showered with dust when we passed by the military parking nearer the event. It is a good thing that the sun showed up only at noon and not the whole morning.
We were initially pissed off. Imagine our precious legs walking for fifteen minutes for a premium parking which costs three times more than the military parking nearer the entrance of the 17th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Yes, dearie. The military parking which is just beside the entrance and where you could just walk-in cost only P50 pesos. But the security is more lax and when you walk towards your car you expect to be showered with dust.
The one that saves the day for Yat's International HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING was the Lounge at the second floor where we were able to use a clean and more spacious restroom than portalets ( portable toilets located inside the 17th HOT AIR BALLOON Fiesta). We had some cat nap at the lounge sofa. It was fully air-conditioned, giving us comfort, sun shield and the rest we badly needed plus the parking was well-secured. Overall, the one hundred fifty pesos HOT AIR BALLOON VIP PARKING was not that bad after all.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
2012 Philippines 17th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta VIP Parking
VIP Parking
One of the biggest problems plaguing this popular event in Clark Philippines is transportation to the Hot Air Balloon site in Clark. Even those who drive to Clark Pampanga have trouble finding a convenient place to park. Aggravations and frustrations with transportation problems have been the bane of previous Philippines Hot Air Balloon Fiestas in Clark Pampanga.
For those who drive to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga, they are well advised to make plans for parking. The limited parking facilities at the Hot Air Balloon Festival site fill up very quickly. Although parking is available in many places throughout the city of Clark, these are not very near to the Hot Air Balloon fiesta site so visitors who drive and park in Clark should expect a 15 to 30-minute walk from and back to the place that they parked their cars.
V.I.P. PARKING FACILITIES
Specially added in 2012 to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival is VIP parking made available by Clark Wine Center, a property of Yats International. Located near to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, the parking facilities of this famous wine shop in Pampanga are sought after by travelers. Only 100 slots are available in this VIP Hot Air Balloon parking lot in Clark Wine Center, hardly enough to accommodate the hundreds of vehicles that will not be able to find parking in the hot air balloon fiesta public parking area.
Clark Wine Center, Philippines’ largest wine shop is located in Clark Freeport, at a location that is very near the place where the balloons are parked. This is considered the best vantage point to watch the hot air balloon take off and return to earth. Pre-dawn breakfast is served to the lucky few who got tickets in advance to a ring-side seat at this venue, on Saturday and Sunday morning at 5am to 8am.
Clark Wine Center
For those who drive to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga, they are well advised to make plans for parking. The limited parking facilities at the Hot Air Balloon Festival site fill up very quickly. Although parking is available in many places throughout the city of Clark, these are not very near to the Hot Air Balloon fiesta site so visitors who drive and park in Clark should expect a 15 to 30-minute walk from and back to the place that they parked their cars.
V.I.P. PARKING FACILITIES
Specially added in 2012 to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival is VIP parking made available by Clark Wine Center, a property of Yats International. Located near to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, the parking facilities of this famous wine shop in Pampanga are sought after by travelers. Only 100 slots are available in this VIP Hot Air Balloon parking lot in Clark Wine Center, hardly enough to accommodate the hundreds of vehicles that will not be able to find parking in the hot air balloon fiesta public parking area.
Clark Wine Center, Philippines’ largest wine shop is located in Clark Freeport, at a location that is very near the place where the balloons are parked. This is considered the best vantage point to watch the hot air balloon take off and return to earth. Pre-dawn breakfast is served to the lucky few who got tickets in advance to a ring-side seat at this venue, on Saturday and Sunday morning at 5am to 8am.
Clark Wine Center
MA Roxas Ave corner A Bonifacio Ave, Clark Freeport
(045) 841-4006 0922-870-5173 0916-542-6602 Ana Fe
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Note: I am not affiliated in anyway to Yats International or Clark Wine Center. This is not a paid post. I hope Yats have given an accurate information at their site. I will give you feedback if this information shared by Yats at their web page is accurate. Thanks! I paid for my parking in advance last Friday. I hope I get my money's worth.
Note: I am not affiliated in anyway to Yats International or Clark Wine Center. This is not a paid post. I hope Yats have given an accurate information at their site. I will give you feedback if this information shared by Yats at their web page is accurate. Thanks! I paid for my parking in advance last Friday. I hope I get my money's worth.
HOT AIR BALLOON SHUTTLE BUS
Getting to the location site of the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Philippines from Manila is not fun at all. Especially if you will take public transportation. In previous Hot Air Balloon events, visitors experienced problems catching the connecting rides after the bus arrived in Dau in Angeles city, especially during Saturday and Sunday of the Hot Air Balloon Festival weekend. These problems are no comparison to the difficulties in getting a jeepney ride leaving the Clark Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site to get back to the bus terminal in Angeles City for the ride back to Manila. Many visitors were stranded for literally hours waiting to get out of Clark.
Good news fellow Hot Air Balloon enthusiast! This year 2012, a special Hot Air Balloon bus service is available. Participants board the special bus in a designated pickup location in Manila and travel to Clark in comfort, resting up during the 90-minute journey arriving refreshed and ready to enjoy the festivities of the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. Visitors arrive at the entrance of the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site in Clark and board the shuttle service at the Clark Wine Center near to the site to return to Manila.
Tickets to this special Hot Air Balloon Fiesta bus service must be purchased in advance. Round-trip ticket price is P 550 . Yes this is round-trip. No one-way ticket available. You have an option to buy the Hot Air Balloon Tickets @ P 230 from them to avoid long lines at the site. Only a small number of seats are available and once tickets are sold out, no more will be made available.
Tickets to this special Hot Air Balloon Fiesta bus service must be purchased in advance. Round-trip ticket price is P 550 . Yes this is round-trip. No one-way ticket available. You have an option to buy the Hot Air Balloon Tickets @ P 230 from them to avoid long lines at the site. Only a small number of seats are available and once tickets are sold out, no more will be made available.
Ticket holders will board the bus between 6:45 to 7am in Ortigas Metro Manila, opposite the Philippines Stock Exchange Center (Tektite) where there is plenty of public parking.
The Hot Air Balloon Festival shuttle will depart promptly so please arrive on time. Those who miss the departure may still board the bus for the return trip from Clark back to Manila. The bus will depart from Clark at 5:30 p.m. expecting to arrive in Manila at around 7 to 7:30 p.m.
Note: Any last-minute schedule adjustments will be communicated to ticket holders via email and/or phone so please always check your emails and text messages.
Yats International Leisure Philippines
3003C East Tower, Philippines Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas, Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 633-1566 0917-540-3626 0917-530-6242 ask for Rea or Joann
Don’t let problems and inconveniences put a damper on the thrills and excitement of the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga. Plan your trip and secure bookings and tickets well in advance and enjoy this famous annual festival in style and comfort.
Note: I am not affiliated in any way with Yats International Leisure Philippine. This is not a paid post. I learned about their shuttle bus and ticket services and find it helpful to the general public, that is why I shared this information to you my readers. I did not receive anything from Yats or from its owners or employees. I even paid for my parking fee at the V.I.P. Parking and would be paying for my ticket at the gate too. Please direct to their website or call them directly if you have any complaints or dissatisfaction with Yats International Leisure Philippine. Thank you very much.
Note: I am not affiliated in any way with Yats International Leisure Philippine. This is not a paid post. I learned about their shuttle bus and ticket services and find it helpful to the general public, that is why I shared this information to you my readers. I did not receive anything from Yats or from its owners or employees. I even paid for my parking fee at the V.I.P. Parking and would be paying for my ticket at the gate too. Please direct to their website or call them directly if you have any complaints or dissatisfaction with Yats International Leisure Philippine. Thank you very much.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
HOW TO COMMUTE FROM CUBAO TO CLARK, PAMPANGA HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
Visitors for the Hot Air Balloon Festival from Manila can
- Take the commuter bus from Avenida/Pasay/Cubao to get to Dau bus terminal in Angeles City, Pampanga. You could also ride the buses bound for Baguio 24 hrs a day.
- From Dau, jeepneys will take them to the main gate of Clark where they can alight and
- Board a jeepney that will take them from the main gate to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival site.
Normally, this three-ride connection should bring visitors into Clark from the bus terminal in Pasay, Cubao or Manila in a little over two hours. Information on costs and schedules can be found on the list below.
PROS Public bus fare is cheap.
CONS In previous events, visitors experienced problems catching the connecting rides after the bus arrived in Angeles city, especially during Saturday and Sunday of the Hot Air Balloon Festival weekend. These problems are no comparison to the difficulties in getting a jeepney ride leaving the Clark Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site to get back to the bus terminal in Angeles City for the ride back to Manila. Many visitors were stranded for literally hours waiting to get out of Clark.
Unsolicited advice for the 2012 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival visitors, especially families with children planning to travel by bus to Angeles City, Pampanga please plan your trips carefully.
Main bus terminals are at Pasay and Cubao where you will find
- Victory Liner From Caloocan P126 From Cubao 131 From Pasay 141 Aircon 24 hours
- BLTB now called DLTB
- Five Star buses
- Partas, Cubao (halfway up E.D.S.A. heading north)-
- Dominion- Aircon bus P 116
- Dagupan
- Partas, Monumento (north, near expressway) for Victory Liner, and
- Philippine Rabbit Avenida Terminal. 24 hours from 12 midnight. They have hourly departures from their Avenida Terminal just by Doroteo Jose LRT Station- P 130 aircon
- Philtranco- we use their service whenever we go to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport e-mail: info.philtranco@gmail.com, www.philtranco.com.ph (63) 2 851.8078 to 79 Pick-up Point: Pasay, Megamall A
Jeepneys from Dau cost P10 per person to Fields Avenue
WHAT TO BRING TO THE 2012 HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
What to bring to the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival:
Please come early – the balloons lift off at 5:30 a.m.
Most importantly: have fun! :-)Sunglasses
Sunblock
Wide-brimmed hat
Umbrella
Money for food and souvenirs
Comfortable footwear
Binoculars
Hand sanitizer (for after using the portable toilets)
Drinking Water
Fruits
Please come early – the balloons lift off at 5:30 a.m.
- Consider going to Clark the night before and sleeping over in a hotel. It's worth it to see the flag jump and balloon launch!
- Avoid heatstroke! Water and sports drinks are available for reasonable prices from the many concessionaires of the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Festival. Remember, if you feel thirsty, it means you're already mildly dehydrated.
- Don't touch the airplanes! If you break it, you buy it.Stay away from propellers, rotors, and jet engines. Stay out of restricted areas – the US Air Force and AFP are on patrol, and Clark is our most important air base. Obey the rules and report any suspicious activity to the friendly security staff.
- Watch the all-day aircraft shows
- Buy and fly a kite
- Eat big at the food stalls
- Grab all sorts of cool souvenirs
- Look around the various displays
- Meet and hang out with real live pilots and ground crew
Thursday, January 5, 2012
CLARK HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 9 TO 12, 2012
2012 Hot Air Balloon Schedule February 9 TO 12, 2012
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is prepared for your convenience only. As with any large outdoor event, programmed schedules are subject to change without notification. Due to uncontrollable factors such as weather and numerous other factors, the actual times these activities occur may change or the activities may be cancelled altogether.
February 09 THURSDAY | FIRST FIESTA DAY | |
Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:30-7:00AM | |
Paragliding Exhibition | 6:30-7:30AM | |
Ultralight Aircraft Formation Flying | 7:40-8:15AM | |
Ultralight Bomb Dropping Audience Participation | 8:15-9:00AM | |
Aerobatic Flight Display | 9:00-9:40AM | |
Kite Flying Exhibition | 9:40-10:00AM | |
AOPA Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition | 10:00-10:45AM | |
Sky Diving Exhibition | 10:45-11:30AM | |
R/C Demonstration Flying | 11:30-12:00PM | |
Open | 12:00-1:00PM | |
Sky Diving Exhibition | 1:00-2:00PM | |
AOPA Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting | 2:00-2:45PM | |
Aerobatic Flight Display | 3:45-4:30PM | |
Rocketry Demonstration | 4:30-5:00PM | |
Ultralight Formation Flying | 5:00-5:20PM | |
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In | 5:20-6:00PM | |
February 10 FRIDAY | SECOND FIESTA DAY | |
Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:30-7:00AM | |
Paragliding Exhibition | 6:30-7:30AM | |
Ultralight Aircraft Flyby & Flour Bombing | 7:40-8:30AM | |
Aerobatic Air Show | 8:30-9:15AM | |
R/C Helicopter Show | 9:30-9:50AM | |
AOPA Aircraft Flyby | 9:50-10:30AM | |
AOPA Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 10:30-11:15AM | |
Skydiving Exhibition | 11:15-12:00PM | |
Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition | 12:30-1:30PM | |
Fire Fighting Exhibition | 1:30-2:15PM | |
Skydiving Exhibition | 2:15-3:00PM | |
Wings Over Asia Aviators Gathering Seminar | 3:00-6:00PM | |
Rocketry Demonstration | 3:00-3:45PM | |
Aerobatic Flight Display | 4:00-4:30PM | |
Paragliding Exhibition | 4:30-5:15PM | |
Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:30-6:00PM | |
February 11 SATURDAY | THIRD FIESTA DAY | |
Hot Air Balloon Flight | 5:30-7:00AM | |
Paragliding Exhibition | 6:30-7:30AM | |
Ultralight Aircraft Flyby | 7:40-8:30AM | |
Krukspec Airsoft Speedball Competition | 8:30-5:00PM | |
Aerobatic Flight Display | 8:30-9:15AM | |
Search and Rescue Flying Exhibition | 9:15-10:00AM | |
AOPA-P, Wings Over Asia, Thai Flying Club Flyby | 10:00-10:45AM | |
Skydiving Exhibition | 10:45-11:15AM | |
AOPA Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition | 11:15-12:00PM | |
Kite Flying Exhibition | 12:00-12:45PM | |
open | 12:45-1:15PM | |
Piper Turboprop bly by of Ed/Citation Mustang fly-by | 1:15-1:45PM | |
Skydiving Exhibition | 1:45-2:15PM | |
AOPA Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 2:15-3:00PM | |
Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition | 3:00-3:45PM | |
Aerobatic Flight Display | 3:45-4:30PM | |
Rocketry Demonstration | 4:30-5:00PM | |
Ultralight Flyby | 5:00-5:30PM | |
RC Airplane Flying Demonstration | 5:30-5:45PM | |
Hot Air Balloon Flight | 5:45-6:15PM | |
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow | 6:45-7:30PM | |
Aviators Ball | 7:00PM-onwards | |
February 12 SUNDAY | FOURTH FIESTA DAY | |
Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:30-7:00AM | |
Paragliding Exhibition | 6:30-7:30AM | |
Ultralight Aircraft Flyby & Flour Bombing | 7:30-8:30AM | |
Krukspec Airsoft Speedball Competition | 8:00-5:00PM | |
AOPA-P, Wings Over Asia, Thai Flying club Fly-by | 8:30-9:30AM | |
R/C Helicopter Show | 9:30-10:00AM | |
Helicopter Flying Exhibition | 10:00-10:30AM | |
Skydiving Exhibition | 10:30-11:00AM | |
AOPA Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition | 11:00-12:00PM | |
Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition | 12:30-1:15PM | |
Ultralight Flying Display | 1:15-2:00PM | |
RC Airplane Flying Demonstration | 2:00-2:30PM | |
AOPA Light Airplane Ballon Bursting Finals | 2:30-3:30PM | |
Aerobatic Exhibition | 3:30-4:15PM | |
Rocketry Demonstration | 4:15-4:45PM | |
Microlight & Ultralight Flyby | 4:45-5:30PM | |
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow | 5:30-6:45PM | |
Crew and Awards Night Party | 7:30PM |