All sorts of shapes and sizes and colourful hot air balloons are floating in the skies of Putrajaya for 4 days. This is the annual international hot air balloon fiesta which is held from March 15th to 18th (7am - 9pm) at the Monumen Alaf Baru in Precinct 2, Putrajaya.
More than 26 balloons from 13 countries are competing in the annual event, which is now in its fourth year. Visitors this year can look forward to hot air balloons in the shape of a birthday cake (USA), kiwi bird (New Zealand) and cartoon character Felix the cat (Vietnam). The fiesta also includes our local balloonists Mohd Sobri and Khairudin, or “Captain Rudy” as he is more commonly known throughout the international ballooning fraternity.
The uniqueness of the event draws crowd from all around Malaysia and neighboring countries. It encourages family togetherness by having fun in variety of activities for all ages. Held during school holidays, it is the perfect time for quick family getaway.
This year’s fiesta will also see the return of the widely-talked about and highly anticipated “night glow” event on Saturday night, where the balloons light up in a synchronised manner to the sounds of music, culminating in a fireworks display.
There is no entry fee for visitors and based on my past experience (my last visit was in year 2010)...if you intend to drive there, please be there early due to limited parking space available. It would be best to use public transportation to visit the fiesta.
Another piece of advice from me...bring along your umbrella, hand fan and drinking water because you will need it somehow :)) Here are a few of the photos taken from my past visit in 2010. Happy Viewing!
