Just before the turn of the millennium, the entire Malaysian government's administration has shift to a brand new city that is build out of nowhere and from scratch. They named the new city, Putrajaya. Billions of dollars has been spent to build this city. Nothing is spared even the street lights are custom made with kite motifs of whatever. While you're in Malaysia and have the time, you must come here to take a look. See how a so-called 'third world country' can have such a beautiful city just to house the government.
Well, Malaysians or specifically KLites don't give a damn. Many people will only go there because they have no choice. If we can, we will apply our passport or IC or whatever in town. Since the 10 years has passed, I have probably been to Putrajaya myself for at most 5 times. So they need to do something to make people go to the new city and one of it is to organised an international hot air balloon fiesta and boy, people really flocked to Putrajaya for this. I mean, how often do you get to see 20 hot air balloons taking off at the same time right? Told you we KLites are a boring lot that will drive anyway within 30 mins to see anything that is new.
OK, so let's talk about the hot air balloon fiesta. This year is actually the 3rd instalment and it will be an annual event which probably will take place at about March every year. This year, the fiesta was held for 4 days during school holidays and everyday, they will be two take offs, one in the morning and one in the evening.
So we get to see for example, how to blow up a balloon.
Or pay MYR10 to take a tethered ride. I mean MYR10 and get the experience of taking a ride in a hot air balloon, that is mighty cheap. Of course if you don't mind the queue. 
For those of us who mind the queue, we proceed to the main ground where the 20 balloons from all over the world will take off. I mean the sight of having to see so many hot air balloons 'waking up' from sleep is quite fascinating.
Balloons taking off!
See the awesome expression of my 5 year-old son, priceless right?
Ok, I don't think my pictures do justice to the whole event but here's a tip. If you can and have a professional camera like the humongous DSLR, bring them along. This will earn you the right to walk right to the hot air balloons because they also have photography competition. So people like us who hold a automatic compact camera, sorry, behind the barricades please.
Location : Putrajaya, Malaysia
