Hot air gets a bad rap. That, according to the lovers of hot air ballooning and the festivals that it inspires.

This photo was taken at the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Malaysia, but there is probably a hot air balloon festival closer to you.

The International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Oct. 1 – 9) even has a balloon museum, so it’s like educational. Also, kids love balloons — good luck explaining why they can’t have one.

This post is a wordy Wordless Wednesday entry.

Photo: Eric Lim Photography via Flickr

From guest blogger, Andy Boyd of ProTraveller

What comes to mind when you think of summer and the sunshine it (should) bring? For many the first thing that comes into their mind is spending some time down at the beach, enjoying a swim in the sea and generally relaxing. For others, especially families with children off school, beaches have to take a humble second place behind the water park.

The attraction is easy to see. The best water parks in the world are designed to have something for everyone. Bring your friends, take your children or go by yourself; these parks are packed full of things to see and do.

If I had to choose 5 water parks worth visiting, they’d include these:

Chimelong Water Park, Guangzhou, China

Here’s somewhere that looks so much that it may even be worth enduring the smog! Chimelong Water Park’s premier attraction is the aptly named Behemoth Bowl, which is basically more than a massive bowl where can you slide round and eventually drop into a pool below. If that sounds like too much action, grab a donut try chilling out on the world’s longest lazy river!

World Water Park, West Edmonton, Canada

You might have a hard time getting your girlfriend to have a go on the slides at some water parks, but there should be no problem enticing her to this place. World Water Park is actually situated indoor, right next to the West Edmonton Mall. There’s something for everyone here with pools through to 85ft tall slides.

Sunway Lagoon, Selangor, Malaysia

This outdoor park enjoys great weather most of the year and has all the usual slides you’d expect. However, it does have one trick up it’s arm that you may not have been expecting: an outdoor wave pool with surfable waves!

Wet ‘n Wild, Orlando, Florida

Ask anyone where they think the best theme parks in the world are and most of them will say Florida, which is why I’ve include Wet ‘n Wild. This iconic water park is famed around the world for some of the most thrilling slides you can dream of with everything covered from vertical kamikazes to more relaxing slides and pools. If you’re in Florida this is a must!

Tropical Islands, Krausnick, Germany

Yep, you read that right. Germany may be mostly landlocked but thanks to modern architecture they managed to create an indoor park thermostatically controlled at paradisiacal temperatures. Fortunately it’s not all about sitting back and relaxing under the domed roof. As attractive as that may be, we’re sure the choice of slides will be worth the trip alone, even in January!

What is your favorite water park for summer fun?