Up, Up and Away!

The trip to Subic for the Hot Air Balloon Festival was a spur of the moment decision. Each year, we would plan to go, but nothing ever came out of it. But this time, there was no planning done.


We took the 3AM bus via Victory Liner in Pasay. There was no direct route so we took what seemed like the most viable option at the time - Manila -Alaminos, Pangasinan. Apparently, most others had the same plan as we had, so that even though we didnt know where to get off, we just went with the flow and got off when the others who were also going to the festival got off. (CLUE: Get off at the major bus stop where all the north-bound bus plying the Manila, Baguio, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales routes stop over). This bus stop also serves as terminal for buses going back to Manila coming from the different provinces.

From the terminal, we took a tricycle to the Jeep terminal that would take us to Subic proper. It's a very short ride, not even 10 minutes, so I feel shortchanged when the driver asked for 50Php. Be sure to ask the tricycle drivers about how much they would be charging first before you board it.

The jeepney ride was uneventful except for the bit of queue of early tourists wanting to catch the launch of the hot air balloons. There were enough vehicles and the jeeps left every 5 minute or so. By half past 4AM, we were excitedly getting down and were walking towared the field, ready to throw ourselves in front of the crowd that was slowly building towards the ticket booths. (to be continued -)