1st Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009

This is a jolly good news to my fellow Malaysian photographers. They are going to hold a hot air balloon festival in Putrajaya this coming March.  Yes it is a mecca for photographers and this kind of event doesn’t come often to our shore in fact it is exceptionally rare.

The last hot air balloon festival that I could remember was when the New Straits Times celebrated its 150th Anniversary and that was more than 10 years ago. Unfortunately I didn’t become a photographer yet at that time.

Never mind.  Let the bygone be bygone. No point crying over the spilt milk. I hope this time I would be able to collect lots of  awesome hot air balloon images. Watch this space

The details of the eagerly-awaited event are as follows:

• The event:  The First Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009 (Does this mean there is going to be the second, third, fourth?)

• Take-off site: “Monumen Alaf Baru”, Precinct 2, Putrajaya

• Flying area: Height of not more than 1000ft and 5 km radius from take off site

• Landing site: There is ample land in Putrajaya that is suitable for landing

• Date: 19-22 March 2009

• Number of participating hot air balloons: 25 – 20 standard shaped hot air balloons, 5 special shaped hot air balloons

In the anticipation of the fiesta, I am pleased to share some useful links to tips on how to shoot hot air balloons:

1. Tip No. 1
2. Tip No. 2
3. Tip No. 3
4. Tip No. 4
5. Tip N0. 5

And below is the itinerary of the event that I copied from its official website.

Please check out the event’s official website here.

Date	Time	Venue	Activities
19/03/2009 Thursday	7.30 am	Site	Arrival of VIPs and guests
	7.45 am	Site	• Free flight with VVIP/Media • Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	2.00 – 5.00 pm	Site	• Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	5.00 – 7.00 pm	Site	Balloon Fun Fly
20/03/2009 Friday	7.30 am	Site	Arrival of guest or VIP
	7.45 am		• Free flight • Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	2.00 – 5.00 pm	Site	• Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	5.00 – 7.00 pm	Site	Balloon Fun Fly
21/03/2009 Saturday	7.30 am	Site	Free flight with VVIP/Sponsors/Media/
	7.45 am	Site	• Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	2.00 – 5.00 pm	Site	• Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	5.00 – 7.00 pm	Site	Balloon Fun Fly
	8.00 pm	Site	Arrival of VIPs and guests
	8.45 pm	Site	Night glow with music for 30 minutes
22/03/2009 Sunday	7.45 am	Site	• Free flight with VVIP/Sponsors/Media/ public • Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	2.00 – 5.00 pm	Site	• Motorised para glider display • Remote control flying aircraft display
	5.00 – 7.00 pm	Site	Balloon Fun Fly
	8.00 pm	Banquet	Dinner and prize giving

PJ Old Town Market

Last Sunday I took a walk in and around PJ Old Town Market and tried my hand at street photography. I admit I am still a novice at street photography although this was not the first time I did it.

I welcome any criticism and comments with open arms.

A lady manning her sundry shop at the market

Activities outside the market

Shopping for fruits

Curious onlookers

Sunrise at Titiwangsa Lake Garden

Sunrise at Titiwangsa Lake Garden

Titiwangsa Lake Garden at early morning

Titiwangsa Lake Garden at early morning

Evening Pasar Tani in Kelana Jaya

I didn’t know there was weekly evening Pasar Tani in Kelana Jaya until my wife found out about it today. So after work I took my wife and kids to the Pasar Tani at the same location where the morning Pasar Tani is held every Saturday. The evening Pasar Tani is open every Wednesday until 10.00pm.

I learnt that the evening one has been going on for the past two months. I think still not many people know about this judging by the poor turn-out of the customers. I blame it on the poor publicity. The organizer should work harder to publicize the existence of the night weekly market. And I hope my blog can help communicate the news and contribute to better turn-out. Otherwise it’s a waste of effort for the sellers and for the organizer as well in making this exercise a success.

While looking for food for dinner I still got around to snapping a few pictures for the purpose of posting them in this blog.

Fresh Fish

Kelantanese Delicacies

Vegetable Stall

Fruit Stall

Chicken Stall

Spice Stall

Yong Tow Foo

Various Drinks and Cendol