Swansea UFO Sighting :)

As if the more traditional birthday gifts weren’t enough, Matthew also got UFOs for his birthday:

Okay, so maybe they weren’t actual UFOs (though that would have been cool), but as near as we can figure they were flame-filled mini flying lanterns (aka “Sky Lanterns”), being released near the Marriot or the promenade by the beach – most likely for a wedding.

A Google search for the phrase “flame hot air balloons wedding” produces this site, PresentFinder, which sells Sky Lanterns for about £4.00 each (a price that seems quite reasonable for pseudo-UFOs).

In fact, in an excerpt from that same site, the connection is made that Sky Lanterns, in fact, do look like “peaceful UFOs”:

Sky Lanterns look absolutely stunning as they slowly fly up into the summer night sky and gently drift away, glowing in the distance like peaceful UFO’s. In calm windless conditions Sky Lanterns will rise to heights greater than 1000m and stay aloft for up to 20 minutes, and the more you set off in one go, the more beautiful the spectacle.

Sky Lanterns can be traced back more than 2000 years to ancient China and are used today across Asia to celebrate many different events during the year, from the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai Lunar calendar to the traditional festivities of Chinese New Year. They can be used to celebrate all special events, including weddings, New Year, birthdays, summer parties, festivals… the list is endless. Anytime you need a quiet stylish alternative to fireworks Sky Lanterns are the perfect choice.

These Sky Lanterns are the very best quality available; they are extremely safe and very easy to use, being made from flame retardant paper that is fully bio-degradable. You simply remove the Sky Lantern from its outer sleeve, unfold it and attach the small wax fuel cell. Hold the Sky Lantern open and upright, light the fuel cell then release the Lantern.

If you fancy getting some Sky Lanterns, though, remember to be careful:

PLEASE USE THIS PRODUCT RESPONSIBLY – SHOULD NOT BE USED WHEN THERE IS A FIRE RISK OR WHEN HAY OR SILAGE [a fermented, high-moisture fodder that can be fed to ruminants. I know, I looked it up] IS BEING MADE NEARBY. WHERE POSSIBLE TRY TO COLLECT USED LANTERNS.