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I have always wanted to go to Albuquerque in October to check out the hot air balloon fiesta. One of the must-see for the enthusiasts. The Albuquerque balloon fiesta is the biggest in the world, an anual nine-day event in every October, and has around 600 balloons from the USA and the world registered this year. It is considered one of the most photographed event in the world. In the morning and in weekend, hundred of hot air, colorful balloons were launching from the park and afloat to the sky, it is an amazing sight to be seen.

I booked my flight 3 months earlier to take advantage of one of the lowest available. I flew Continental airline to Albuquerque via Houston. Arrived in Albuquerque in the afternoon and called the hotel to send a complimentary shuttle for pick-up. I have tried to book a rental car, but the price is rediculously expensive during my stay. It is understandable since everything has been jacked up during the balloon fiesta, once of the biggest draw of tourists from around the country, and around the world. So, I will utilize public transportation during my short stay to get around.

After getting something to eat nearby the hotel, I try to find a way to get to downtown via public transportation. With the help of the labtop computer, I have found the bus, the route, the schudule and I am ready to explore the city of duke, nicknamed for Albuquerque.

The bus ride to downtown is about 20 minutes. I stay in the mid-town section of the city. The cost of the ride, one dollar per trip, a transfer cost 25 cents and good for 2 hours.

Arrived at the Alvadaro Transportation Center, a multimodal transit hub in downtown Albuquerque, I was able to connect to another bus going to the Old town, to the Botanic garden, to the University of New Mexico campus, or to the airport. Purchased a three day bus pass for $4 dollars, I can ride any bus for free for 3 days. I then later found out there is actual a bus route to take people to the balloon fiesta park in the northearn part of the city.

The hotel where I am staying offers a complimentary shuttle to the park-and-drive lot in the Coronado shopping mall where this year, 2008, during the balloon fiesta, on weekend and on Thursday, Friday guests can get a round trip transportation to the balloon park and and admission ticket to the park for $10 if you purchase in advance, online, and $15 if you purchase on arrival at the day of taking the shuttle.

On the first opening weekend, due to weather, the main events on Sunday night was postponed.

The next day, I took the bus to downtown. The bus stop is a short walk from the hotel in a major intersection. Have a walk around town. It was deserted. Maybe since it was sunday and the weather was not very appealing.

In the evening, went back to the hotel, rest. Then went to the Coronado mall. Trying to find out if I can get the shuttle to the balloon fiesta park for the evening event. There is no sight within. Gave up and took the bus back to the hotel. Yet, after a short turn, around the corner, I saw few activities on the mall parking lots, with lots of yellow, school buses. Curiously, I pulled the line, asking the bus driver to stop the bus, I got off, crossed the street and ventured to that areas. Turned out, it was where the shuttle would take people to the balloon park. What a chance ! I purchased the tickets, got on the shuttle, and was taken to the park which was quite a distance away. Arrived in the park before dawn, the sight was electrifying. Lots of people conversed to a huge park. Few balloons were being air-blown in and I got my first closed-up with the balloon. To see it blown (right in the front of my face) and took off was an experience. I was even to see inside of the hot air balloon. At time, the gas flame was ignited. and if you were too closed, it was ...nerve racking.

Tonight, it was where all balloons got glowed in the dark. Able to see the sun set and the dark sky moved in.

The firework in the balloon park was a nice touch to end an exciting evening.

On the last day, before departing the city of duke, in the early morning, I went to the park again to see the balloons got blowed up and sped away, away to the sky. Today there is a special event, flight of the Nations & Mass Ascension Flying Competition. The Flight of the Nations honors pilots from all the nations, each country flying their balloon with their national flag, participating in Balloon Fiesta. It was a colorful scene. Various shapes of the balloons are being piloted.

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