Offbeat Traveler: Odd hot air balloons
From left, “Little Pirate,” “Shopping Bag” and “Woodrow.” (Pongmanat Tasiri / EPA)
“Cake.”
This year’s Chiang Mai International Balloon Fiesta, held in January, featured more than 20 balloons from countries all over the world, including Belgium, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United States of America and Vietnam. More info: chiangmaiballoon.com (Pongmanat Tasiri / EPA)
Hot air balloons prepare to depart at the International Hot-Air Balloon Festival held in Château-d’Oex, Switzerland. (Yuri Kadobnov / AFP/Getty Images)
Next year’s festival will take place from Jan. 26 to Feb. 3. More info: www.chateau-doex.ch/en/chateaudoex_en/events_chax/festivalinternationaldeballon (Yuri Kadobnov / AFP/Getty Images)
A cat balloon flies over Arnsberger Forest National Park at the Warsteiner International Hot Air Balloon Show. (Mathis Wienand / Getty Images)
“Action Man” prepares for departure. (Mathis Wienand / Getty Images)
The “Orient Express.” The Warsteiner International Hot Air Balloon Show is sponsored by Warsteiner Brewery in Germany. (Mathis Wienand / Getty Images)