Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010
Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 was the 2nd Balloon Festival held in Malaysia from the 19th to 21st March and the turn out was amazing over the weekend. People from all walks of life and from all over drove down to witness this amazing balloon show in Putrajaya with 23 hot air balloons participating from around the world. Fortunately for me, it was a coincidence that I was visiting Putrajaya for the weekend and took the opportunity to visit the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010.
Latest Update (19th March, Saturday 2011) Hot Air Balloon Putrajaya 2011 Pictures I visited the festival and took some pictures on Saturday 19th March.
Videos of Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon 2011
Read about the upcoming 3rd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011.
Filling the balloon with hot air is no easy task
The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Purtajaya was indeed a success as over a 100,000 people came to watch the balloons over the weekend. The main highlight was the unique shaped hot air balloons like the Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon and a pair of Levis Jeans Balloon which the crowd absolutely loved. It was really and eye opener for most people when they witnessed these unique odd shaped hot air balloons in Putrajaya this year around.
Levis Jeans Hot Air Balloon being fired up
For the record, if you plan to visit the 3rd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta for 2011, you should be well prepared before you head there. Reason being was through my experience at the current fiesta. Read more about this at the end of this article for tips and information.
Levis Jeans Hot Air Balloon at Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon 2010
Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon, the much talked about balloon at Putrajaya
General crowd at the Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Purtajaya was held in the vicinity of the Millenium Obelisk or the Monument Alaf Baru which is the road off the main Putrajaya Boulevard in Precinct 2. So, the inner roads there will be closed off to the public making it a open walkway for everyone. However, you have to give way to the pick-up trucks bringing the hot air balloons back to the grounds from the hot air balloon races.
Firing up the hot air balloon while others hold it down
Managing the hot air filled balloon and stabilizing it is not easy
Some of the hot air balloons used for rides
Preparing the hot air balloon at Purtajaya
A para glider without his parachute preparing to gear up
During the event, there were the para-gliders team who were going around the Hot Air Balloon grounds in their little machines. There must have been at least 10 of them taking turns to circle the area in groups of threes and fours. They were gliding pretty low too so this was a great photo opportunity for many people.
3 Para-gliders doing a formation just above the fair
A para-glider making his rounds at Putrajaya
Look closely at the KFC sign and see what it actually says
Food was no issue at the Balloon Fiesta in Putrajaya as there were all kinds of fast food, local food and international food being sold. A hive of activities are provided throughout the hot air balloon grounds with informative tents to displays of light aircraft. There were also Helicopter Rides where a 15 minute Helicopter Ride was charges at RM150.00 per person. For those with a healthy wallet or purse, this would be a great experience to fly in a helicopter around Putrajaya.
Balloon sellers having a field day at the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010
One thing that caught many children eyes were the cartoon balloon sellers which were abundant around the area. I must have seen at least 20 balloon sellers walking around with helium filled balloons. Most popular were the Sponge Bob Balloons followed by other Japanese characters like Hello Kitty Balloons and even Naruto Balloons.
A mother attends to her daughters Hello Kitty Balloon
View of the crowd at 9am in the morning at Putrajaya
This was my most favourite balloon shot!
Armed and ready with a zoom lens
What came as a shock to me during the event was not only the balloons but the crowds which came armed with DSLR Cameras and high end equipments. Many came to capture the moment armed with tripods, mono-pods and all kinds of zoom lenses. Some lenses even the price of a small compact car!
Well prepared for the Hot Air Balloon pictures
Seriously, I must have seen one in five people using a DSLR Camera during the Balloon Festival in Purtrajaya. Times must be good this year in 2010 or the big camera companies like Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Fuji are having a super sale on DSLR Cameras.
Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 was a success from the turn out and hopefully for 2011, we will see more unique shaped hot air balloons. See you next year and congratulations to the Team for organising this amazing event in Malaysia!
Latest Update (19th March, Saturday 2011) Hot Air Balloon Putrajaya 2011 Pictures I visited the festival and took some pictures on Saturday 19th March.
Videos of Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon 2011
Read about the upcoming 3rd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011.
Filling the balloon with hot air is no easy task The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Purtajaya was indeed a success as over a 100,000 people came to watch the balloons over the weekend. The main highlight was the unique shaped hot air balloons like the Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon and a pair of Levis Jeans Balloon which the crowd absolutely loved. It was really and eye opener for most people when they witnessed these unique odd shaped hot air balloons in Putrajaya this year around.
Levis Jeans Hot Air Balloon being fired up For the record, if you plan to visit the 3rd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta for 2011, you should be well prepared before you head there. Reason being was through my experience at the current fiesta. Read more about this at the end of this article for tips and information.
Levis Jeans Hot Air Balloon at Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon 2010
Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon, the much talked about balloon at PutrajayaDarth Vader Hot Air Balloon in Putrajaya hovering over some buildings
General crowd at the Hot Air Balloon Festival The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Purtajaya was held in the vicinity of the Millenium Obelisk or the Monument Alaf Baru which is the road off the main Putrajaya Boulevard in Precinct 2. So, the inner roads there will be closed off to the public making it a open walkway for everyone. However, you have to give way to the pick-up trucks bringing the hot air balloons back to the grounds from the hot air balloon races.
The general scene when I arrived at the Hot Air Balloon 2010 Fest in Putrajaya
Firing up the hot air balloon while others hold it down 
Managing the hot air filled balloon and stabilizing it is not easy A few people hold down the balloon as it is almost filled with hot air
Some of the hot air balloons used for rides
Preparing the hot air balloon at Purtajaya 
A para glider without his parachute preparing to gear upDuring the event, there were the para-gliders team who were going around the Hot Air Balloon grounds in their little machines. There must have been at least 10 of them taking turns to circle the area in groups of threes and fours. They were gliding pretty low too so this was a great photo opportunity for many people.
Para Gliders landin and taking off at Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon 2010 Festival
3 Para-gliders doing a formation just above the fair 
A para-glider making his rounds at Putrajaya 
Look closely at the KFC sign and see what it actually saysFood was no issue at the Balloon Fiesta in Putrajaya as there were all kinds of fast food, local food and international food being sold. A hive of activities are provided throughout the hot air balloon grounds with informative tents to displays of light aircraft. There were also Helicopter Rides where a 15 minute Helicopter Ride was charges at RM150.00 per person. For those with a healthy wallet or purse, this would be a great experience to fly in a helicopter around Putrajaya.
Balloon sellers having a field day at the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 One thing that caught many children eyes were the cartoon balloon sellers which were abundant around the area. I must have seen at least 20 balloon sellers walking around with helium filled balloons. Most popular were the Sponge Bob Balloons followed by other Japanese characters like Hello Kitty Balloons and even Naruto Balloons.
A mother attends to her daughters Hello Kitty Balloon 
View of the crowd at 9am in the morning at PutrajayaTickets for the Hot Air Balloon Rides at Putrajaya were absolutely sold out by 7am. Here's my experience on the 21st March Sunday - I was staying at the Pullman Hotel and Resort Putrajaya for the weekend and thought that I would go in early on Sunday morning to get tickets. I eventually got there at about 8am - There was already a terrible traffic jam getting into the parking at the grounds. So, next year, please be prepared - Either park further and walk there or go early.
So, I finally got into a line for one of the Hot Air Balloon Rides which are RM10 per person and there were 5 Balloons for the rides. After waiting in line for about 10 minutes, one of the personnel approached everyone asking about their tickets and when it came to me, I did not have one and asked him where can I get one, he told me they were sold out since 7am. No kidding. The event starts at 7am and they were sold out at 7am!
So, I finally got into a line for one of the Hot Air Balloon Rides which are RM10 per person and there were 5 Balloons for the rides. After waiting in line for about 10 minutes, one of the personnel approached everyone asking about their tickets and when it came to me, I did not have one and asked him where can I get one, he told me they were sold out since 7am. No kidding. The event starts at 7am and they were sold out at 7am!
This was my most favourite balloon shot!Buying tickets for Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Ride - Here's how it was done related from one of the staff there to me. People were seen lining up at the ticket counter from as early as 5am on Sunday. By 6 am, the line had stretched to over 200 meters long and by 7am the tickets were sold out. So, unless the management of the Balloon Fiesta works something out for next years Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011, there are going to be a lot of unhappy people.
Tickets were limited to 300 a session where there were 2 sessions a day and each hot air balloon could only go for 60 rides, meaning 60 tickets per balloon. Maybe next year, they can have 10 Hot Air Balloon for Rides for Putrajaya. There are no pre-buying the balloon ride tickets so you need to be there before the event to buy your tickets. You should have seen the sad faces of hundreds of people when they found out there were no tickets available.
Tickets were limited to 300 a session where there were 2 sessions a day and each hot air balloon could only go for 60 rides, meaning 60 tickets per balloon. Maybe next year, they can have 10 Hot Air Balloon for Rides for Putrajaya. There are no pre-buying the balloon ride tickets so you need to be there before the event to buy your tickets. You should have seen the sad faces of hundreds of people when they found out there were no tickets available.
Armed and ready with a zoom lens What came as a shock to me during the event was not only the balloons but the crowds which came armed with DSLR Cameras and high end equipments. Many came to capture the moment armed with tripods, mono-pods and all kinds of zoom lenses. Some lenses even the price of a small compact car!
Well prepared for the Hot Air Balloon picturesSeriously, I must have seen one in five people using a DSLR Camera during the Balloon Festival in Purtrajaya. Times must be good this year in 2010 or the big camera companies like Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Fuji are having a super sale on DSLR Cameras.
Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 was a success from the turn out and hopefully for 2011, we will see more unique shaped hot air balloons. See you next year and congratulations to the Team for organising this amazing event in Malaysia!
Links to Hot Air Balloons and the Balloon Festival in Putrajaya;
Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 official website
MyBalloonFiesta Facebook Group
Hot Air Balloon Events around the world
Information on Hot Air Balloon from Wikipedia
How Hot Air Balloons work - From How Stuff Works
History of Hot Air Balloons
News Articles on Putrajaya Hot Air Ballon Fiesta 2010;
1st Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009 from The Star
2nd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 from The Star
2nd Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, 2010 from MSN Malaysia
2010 hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Putrajaya from NST
3rd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011
Latest Update (19th March, Saturday 2011) Hot Air Balloon Putrajaya 2011 Pictures
Contact details for the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta;
2nd Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010
No. 50, Jalan 3/108, Taman Salak Jaya, Salak Selatan,
57100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: +6 03 7981 8769 / 7981 8712
Fax: +6 03 7981 8697
Email: info@myballoonfiesta.com
Map to Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
View Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010/2011 in a larger map
Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010
Reviewed by David Jr
on
Monday, March 22, 2010
Rating:
Reviewed by David Jr
on
Monday, March 22, 2010
Rating:
27 comments:
Wow, the Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon is very awesome, look kinda heavy to me @_@ can fly up somemore.
The Naruto small balloon kinda cute :D
LOL at the KFC sign, hahaha, later got sue like last time Mcd >_<''
Araleling, the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 was really full of excitements for everyone as they had a good variety of balloons. Any the KFC was really funny. Thanks for the visit.
David
so happening! Is it held every yr in March? Goodness, Darth Vader is always the popular choice in any event!
Kelantan Fried Chicken, does it taste better? LOL
wow darth vader!! awesome!! i wanna go there in 2012 :)
You guys seemed to have lots of fun out there!
Too bad, the weather was a bit gloomy.
Event starts 7 a.m.---> tickets sold out 7 a.m. LOL! Lining up since 5 a.m. for a tethered balloon ride? That's insane!!! Malaysians are getting real kiasu :)
I think the organizer needs to bring in more balloons. PPJ (Putrajaya Holdings) admitted that they received over 60 requests from world renowned balloon pilots. But it was narrowed down to less than 20 balloons due to space constraints. The moral of the story? Find a larger space in Putrajaya + increase the number of public tethered balloons.
Whoah! You were staying in Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside?? What is the daily rate???
LOVE Picture 3 ---> 'PANTS ON FIRE!'LOL!
Cheers!
mylo
Those pictures look really beautiful. The "Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010" was really amazing and we really enjoyed there. This is the most favorite family entertainment.
Best Regards,
Eunice, yes, this is the 2nd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta so next year there will be a 3rd. Hope you can make it to try the KFC :)
Fufu, why 2012? Not next year?
Londoncalling, yeah the weather was not in the photographers favor this time around. Maybe next year?
Mylo, yeah, I hope nest year they arrange for more tickets and balloons. Anyway, Putrajaya HAS a lot of space, just if they want to use that larger space. I hope someone from PJH sees this posting.
Pullman was excellent and it was a review I did there.
Shenandoah, thank you and you should attend next years one. Bring the family as well if you can.
Regards,
David
Hi David, i came across this forum, that says the electrical junction box is open in Putrajaya. here's the link. http://www.usj.com.my/bulletin/upload/printthread.php?t=29887
I'm not sure whether this is true, because im not there. Anyway, precaution is always the better measure. Hope the organizer would improve this in future.
The balloons look great, esp Darth Vader.
Can imagine the crowd though, which I doubt I would enjoy.
I think I'll enjoy the next balloon fests the same way I'm doing now :)
You just gotta love photoblogs :)(esp with all the DSLRs running around! hahaha)
Nicole, thanks and I will check that out.
Louise, Well, the crowd was large but it wasn't chaotic and it was quite spacious so it was pretty alright overall. Yeah, I was really shocked to see so many shutterbugs in one place. The last time I saw this was at the Joe McNally Photography Workshop in KL.
David
I was at the event last Sat. I was only after the fireworks display...which didn't disappoint at all. It was awesome.
As for the balloons, the tethered rides were not great. They should have allowed people the option of paying for the real hot air balloon rides.
Another sad part is no point in calling up the numbers of the company organising the event as either no one picks up or it's busy. I emailed them and till today, no reply.
I wanted to find out the times and venue of the fireworks. So much for trying to get info.
so wanted to go but unfortunately, I have job that weekend. Sigh! next year must go
Mei, Yes I absolutely agree with you on letting people to go for actual rides. Maybe next year they would look in to this matter? I guess they should also have a proper hotline system improvement next year too. Again, I hope someone from the organising team sees this posting and thank you for your honest feedbacks to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
Catherine, I hope next year you get to make it there and also they have more balloons.
David
urghhhh missed it again... T______T
Very nice la.. I really wanted to see.. hehehe
Cath, where were you on that weekend? Your kids would have loved it!
David
hi david, great looking blog you've got here and i really love the vivid colors of the balloons that you captured so well! I've just added you to my blog roll. (kindly feel free to add us if u like what you see :)) cheers
Hi Cumi and Ciki, thank you for the kind words and yes, I will add you to my blog roll. Hope to catch up with you at the BlogforFT dinner tonight.
Regards,
David
Missed it. Flew into KL Sunday evening but I was too tired to stop by. At least I can see the pics that you posted.. Thanks.
Great blog!!
If you like, come back and visit mine: http://albumdeestampillas.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Pablo from Argentina
Lots of people now using DSLR, its almost crazy! Throw a rock in the street and you will hit one :P
I heard the turnout was massive-er than last year but the rain also washed out a few of the anticipated events.
U got the Darth Vader picture while I'm finding the parking. :)
Pablo, thank you for your visit to my Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon 2010 article. Will check your site out.
Nicholas, yes, almost everyone with DSLR. Young, old and all races! Amazing and I wonder why the big camera companies were not involved. Yes, crowd was massive and the skies were horrible!
Wilson, to be very very honest - YES! :)
David
http://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaAsia
http://twitter.com/MalaysiaAsia
http://www.coomararundaya.com
i wanted to go as well.. but.. cant!.. maybe next time! =)
Ken, maybe next year's Balloon Festival will be double the fun? I hope so.
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