The 18th Int'l Hot Air Balloon Festival gets started in Portugal Some 50 hot air balloons, manned by balloonists from all over the world, flew over the Portuguese countryside Monday as part of the International Festival of Hot Air Balloons in Alter fo Chao. Crews from Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the UK will remain in the region until Sunday, to share their passion with visitors who are invited to join them in the air for a small fare. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES