New friend Snowbird visits Luye, adding fun to the Hot Air Balloon Festival

▲ New friend Snowbird visits the International Hot Air Balloon Festival. (Photo / Courtesy of Taitung County Tourism Bureau)

Reported by Travel Center / Taipei

Luye in Taitung has a new visitor！ Snowbird, who came all the way from the United States, showed up at the Hot Air Balloon Festival wearing cool sunglasses. Many kids were excited to take photos with him.

Wearing stylish sunglasses and a retro camera hanging from his chest, Snowbird is the newest face in the sky over Luye, Taitung. A friend from afar, he’s here at the Hot Air Balloon Festival to join in the festive fun. On June 20th at 5 AM at Luye Plateau and June 22nd at 4 PM at the International Landmark in Taitung City Seaside Park, you can see him flying freely alongside Taiwan’s Love Ball and Angry Birds.

Several consecutive days of clear skies in Taitung have made the hot air balloon free-flight experience run smoothly. On the 18th, the Taitung No. 2 balloon successfully took off. Among the three couples on board, one pair had experienced a tethered ride last year and signed up immediately for the free flight this time, exclaiming that this is what a “real hot air balloon experience” is all about！ During the flight, the Taitung No. 2 balloon had a small incident — due to a change in wind direction, the accompanying pilot skillfully maneuvered through the shift, flying low and level over Guanshan Township. Their impressive flying skills earned praise from passengers, who gave a thumbs-up, saying, “Taitung is truly a paradise for flying！”

% Amidst the excitement of free-flying balloons, a breathtaking view under the blue sky (Photo / Courtesy of Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival Facebook)