By the time this blog post is published here, this will be my precise location in the globe:
+15° 10′ 9.88", +120° 32′ 49.67"
15.169410, 120.547131
Tag Archives: clark airfield
Newbies Guide to the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
The 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is scheduled from the 9th to 12th February 2012 at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines. For the past three (03) years in-a-row, my family and I became part of this annual event. Let me just share with you my very own version of a Newbies Guide to the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta to ensure that you will be able to maximize enjoyment visiting the event.
Going to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga (around 85 kms from Manila). The public activity and viewing area is actually around the two (02) Philippine Air Force maintenance hangars (starred in the aerial view below), which are located at the far end of DMIA’s left side runway.
TRIVIA: Did you know that when Clark Freeport Zone was still a United States Air Force Base, it was designated as one of the alternate landing runways for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program? That is how long its runways are!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Day 01
So, we just checked-in here at the InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after a 12-hour journey from Manila. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering how a less than four (04) hours flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur took us half a day? The answer: we took AirAsia via Clark Airfield (CRK) in Angeles City, Pampanga.
My day started at around 0530H when I arrived at the Philtranco Bus Terminal along EDSA in Pasay City. Philtranco is the only bus company in my locale that has a direct service to CRK/DMIA. The bus left the Pasay Terminal at around 0630H, then made a 15-minute stop at the back of SM Megamall of pick-up more passengers (half of the Philippine contingent to the Mozilla Camp Asia 2011 were among them). From Mandaluyong City, it took us 90 minutes to reach CRK/DMIA.
Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) is a complete shocker for me – as someone who is everyday at the NAIA Terminals 1-2-3-4 – the airport is really small compact. Noticed in the picture below where my colleagues are filling-up their embarkation cards:
At around 1100H, passengers from our flight were asked to board the aircraft (read as: called to form a line, then troop the ramp / tarmac and get inside the plane using staircases). By the way, the AirAsia flight was scheduled to depart at 1105H (Actual Time of Departure is around 1130H). Good thing, the flight was not full:
A Valentine Weekend of Everything That Flies
My family celebrated the Chinese New Year, which happened to fall on Valentine’s Day, today in a very unique way.
Last night, we decided to embark on a road trip all the way from Manila to Angeles City, Pampanga – via Victory Liner. We decided to leave the car home, getting rid of the traffic and driving fatigue hassles along the way. The last bus that will pass through the Angeles Exit left Pasay City at 1700H of Saturday. Two hours after, we reached our destination: Marquee Mall, Angeles City.
