Travel destination: Albuquerque, New Mexico! It was my second time to attend the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, and this time around, I was not disappointed. Last year, no balloon was able to take off due to the unfavorable weather. This 2015, the weather was perfect. And the temperature was not even as cold as last year’s!

I was tweeting. I was posting photos on Instagram. I was updating my friends on Facebook. I was telling them how amazing to be watching hundreds of hot-air balloons fly at the same time. They were like a bunch of jelly fish when viewed directly up in the sky. When they started to take off at dawn, they lit up beautifully, brighter than any star.

I arrived with thousands of spectators already inside.

I had plenty of time to roam around and check out the goodies and souvenir shops before the balloons lifted off.

Around 6AM, a number of balloons started to flicker.

Yes, you can walk right up to the balloons, and even talk to the pilots.

And off they went and filled the sky!

Most balloons waited for sunlight to appear before taking off.

When the sun rays finally hit the flying balloons, it was a beautiful sight.

Spectators were excited of the different shapes of the balloons and the characters they portrayed.

My favorites were the three-headed-bird balloon…

..and the bees.

The flight of the hundreds of balloons took about two hours, so there was plenty of time to take pictures.

The Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta was truly an amazing experience. This annual event that happens in early October (usually on Columbus Day weekend) is something everyone should see.

Notes.

1. Get to the grounds no later than 6AM. Mass ascension would be around 7AM.

2. Parking near the grounds is difficult. I suggest you take the ‘park and ride’, sponsored by the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau. You park your vehicle at one of several Albuquerque locations and take a Balloon Fiesta Express Park & Ride bus into Balloon Fiesta Park. The ride would take about 25 minutes. You can pay for this ‘park and ride’ fee online and the Balloon Fiesta admission would already be included.

3. It can get cold early in the morning. So dress in layers.

4. You may want to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

5. Don’t forget your camera!

6. Did I already mention that the event runs for one week?

Travel contact.

9401 Balloon Museum Dr., Albuquerque, NM 87113
(505) 768-6050
www.balloonfiesta.com

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See more of my New Mexico travels.

See also: My other travel adventures.