Kedah International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2010

My Aunt and I went to Taman Jubli Emas, Jalan Suka Menanti, Alor Setar around 8.30 this morning to see the launching of the Kedah International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2010 which kicks off today till the 30th  of May 2010. We were suppose to reach there a lot earlier because it starts around 6.30am, but since something came up at the last minute, we couldn't go out when we were supposed to. You see, my Mom received a call from her friend early this morning saying that her mother had just passed away .....so my Mom and my Aunt went to pay their last respect. I didn't tag along because I was late getting ready.....so they went there without me. Half an hour after that... they came back home.....and my Aunt and I went straight to the festival.......she didn't even bother changing her clothes....she went there with her baju kurung  on hehehehe......and as we were about to reached there we saw most of the hot air balloons were already up in the air.

The weather was pretty hot and sunny. A great morning to for outdoor activities. :) A lot of people showed up.....we had to park our car by the road side and had a long walk to the festival area. I tell you....you can loose about 100grams of fat from the walk alone! LOL! With the hot weather.......it was like melting me away man! :P Luckily we went there in the morning.....I can't imagine being there in the afternoon. Steaming hot!

There were quite a lot of tents for retailers to sell their products and crafts too......all sorts of activities going on as well for adults and for kids. There were even those sporty recumbent tricycles for everyone to try....but you have to pay RM10.00 per ride......but it was only a 15 minutes ride.....I gave it a try and it was so much fun!!!! I had a blast!!! The instructor explained to me how to use the tricycle.....it had a gear....from 1-8 if I am not mistaken.....so I can control the speed....it was so cool! hehehe! I wanted to go for number one.....but he advised me not to.....he said better do 4th or 5th gear......and he was right!! It was most comfortable at that level. :)

I wish I can ride that tricycle a lot longer....it was so comfortable.....much more comfortable than riding my own bicycle hehehe..... :). But once you stop riding it, you are not allowed to quickly stand up as you might feel like fainting.......so you have to wait for a few minutes before getting up. I didn't know all that.....luckily the instructor warned me about it :). Otherwise I would have dropped down instantly! LOL!

Quess what we bought at the festival??? A lemon tree! ahahahhaa! I wanted to buy other lime trees....but naaaaaahhhhhh.......the lemon tree was enough laaaa.......it was only RM10.00 per tree.....a small one which I carried in that white plastic bag. :) The lemon tree is actually for my Aunt to plant at her new house. I hope it grows fast! I can't wait to taste the lemon from our own tree! LOL!

I was so sad that I was not able to get a ride on the hot air balloon......there were just too many people waiting in line to get that ride. I couldn't stand the heat anymore.......was about to faint! So, we just took photos and left hahahahaha.......maybe we will get a ride in it next time. Actually this event ends on the 30th.....but I'm not sure if I'll get to go there again before it ends......so...sigh...... :(

There was also para gliding event going on.....it was so cool getting to see them shoot off from the ground.....first time for me to see it live. Before this....I would only get to see this kinda thing on TV hehehehhe....yeah I know....I have not seen much of the world I suppose....need to go out more....LOL!

 The Sultan and the Sultanah of Kedah attended this event as well......I was able to see them from afar.....his daughter the Yang Teramat Mulia Tunku Panglima Besar Dato’ Seri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz is the patron of this festival.  You could see a side view of him sitting on the big yellow chair ...right next to the Sultanah :) After spending quite sometime there.......we could see them leaving the festival with the patrol bikes leading the way......

Well....I sure did have a great time there this morning :). I leave this entry with this beautiful photo view of me and the paddy field nearby the festival area.....hehehe :)