Taiwan’s hot air balloons take to the international stage – Taitung No. 1 flies across the seas with rustic charm

▲ Taitung No. 1 Balloon Invited to the 31st Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival in Quebec. (Photo / Courtesy of the 2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

This year, the Taitung County Government’s hot air balloon team was invited for the first time to participate in the 31st Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival in Quebec, held from August 9 to 17. Taiwan is the only Asian

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival in Quebec, Canada, is the largest hot air balloon event in the country. This year, a total of 105 hot air balloons from eight countries participated, including Canada, the United States, Brazil, France, Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan.

▲The Taitung No. 1 balloon features adorable paintings by elementary school students. (Photo / Courtesy of the 2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival website)

The Taitung No. 1 balloon, invited to participate on behalf of Taitung County, is not only Taiwan

The Taitung County Government stated that the exchange between Canada and Taiwan on hot air ballooning began in 2010. That year, Canadian pilot Claude Bachand was invited to Taitung. He strongly supported the development of hot air balloon activities in Taiwan. Bachand also assisted with the Taitung Hot Air Balloon Summer Camp and teaching programs in 2011 and 2012, sharing his flying experience.

▲Being invited to participate in the International Hot Air Balloon Carnival allows Taitung County Government to gain valuable experience.(Photo from the 2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival website)

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