December 8th / 9th / 10th /11th

December 8th
This is our HI Hostel in Bangkok. They have one in Phuket and Ban Kruit. Nice clean rooms in the heart of Bangkok. Caught taxi to Bangkok airport ( 45 mins) , meeting one of the officials from the balloon rally, who will pick up international balloonist and drive to Pattaya. It's an hours ride, which gave us time to chat to our friends and catch up on the latest balloon rallies. We arrived at the Thammasat University Learning Center ( which is a hotel and conference center), and was shown to a room overlooking the pool. As I had a head cold, I opted for an afternoon nap, while Derek lay out by the pool. Dinner was in the hotel restaurant, it was good to talk to pilots we hadn't seen since last year , and some we had seen in Japan.
Dec 9th
Had the morning free, so we went for a bike ride . It's a pretty flat area, but it's 35c so we took it easy. Passed by the Golf Course, and saw this huge plane parked on the grounds. Not sure why it's there, but couldn't miss the photo op.
The golf course grounds.
Beautiful temple down the road from the golf course. Lots of dogs lying around, and as I took this photo, one of them starting barking, which stirred the others and pretty soon they were all barking at us, quite frightening , as they are all wild dogs that look like they have rabies! Decided that maybe we shouldn't be on these grounds, and quickly cycled away.
Found some elephants. Even though the sign said Do Not Enter, Danger and Beware , Derek walks straight in to pet the elephant!
As the elephant walks towards him, he's having second thoughts! I've got the camera ready, just waiting for the elephant to wrap his trunk around him, and toss him!!
Almost!! We both legged it out of there.
Let's try again with a baby one.
This one by the side of the road, didn't have a Danger sign, so I guess he's okay to pet!
There are no people around, just these elephants at the side of the road.
Stopped for refreshments. Obama spirits are very popular here.
In the afternoon, we had to unwrap our balloons, and refuel. This is the balloon that was shipped from Saga, Japan.
Dinner tonight was held at the Horse Club. The hotel supplied taxis for everyone to get there. Here are our Japanese friends Jinmorie and Yuki, they brought their Pumpkin balloon here.
Dinner was laid out in the beautiful grounds of the Horse Club.
We were entertained by Traditional Thai dancers and a great band.
Dec 10th
Briefing at 5.30am, the launch firld is just across the road from the hotel. Theres lots of special shapes here. This is not competition flying, just a fun event.
Derek's first flight of the day.
Each pilot is given a truck, driver , crew and a translator. With all the help, it makes packing up easy.
During the morning flight and the afternoon briefing, we got the bikes out again, and went into town. At the market they were selling these frogs for dinner. The whole bowl was moving, as the frogs were desperately jumping around trying to get out.
This event brings out quite a few people, in the evening there are stalls selling food, beer etc.... and entertainment on the stage till 2am.
Dec 11th
As Derek was inflating, went around and took some photos of the special shapes.
I think this one is cute and simple, most of the others require a crew of at least 10 people to inflate.



Dereks second morning flight over the gold course. Beautiful golf course, and they don't mind if you land there.
Derek landed at a place called " The romance of the three kingdoms". It's a Chinese park, which during the day you have to pay admission to get in, but the guards very kindly let the chase vechicle in to get him, and even pitched in with the crewing.

Beautiful place, with manicured lawns. ( At least they were before Derek landed on them )

I tried to find out what this place was, but cannot get an explanation that I understand, it's just a lovely place. The afternoon flight, was a very windy inflation, as Derek was the first to launch, some of the other pilots came to hold the basket down. Each flight, the pilots have to take a customer of the event. Poor guy looked terrified when Derek told him to get in. Flight was fast, Derek said it was about 20mph up in the air, and landed in 14 mph ground winds. Passenger actually loved his flight, I guess after the initial fear was gone , he became a typical guy and loved the action packed landing! Derek thought it was pretty cool too!!