ABQ International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, New Mexico

People from around the world gathered in New Mexico for one of the biggest balloon festivals.  The sky was an explosion of colors with hundreds of balloons. 

Tickets can be bought online or at the door.  The line to get in at 5am was not long, and the tickets were only $8 per person.  However, the traffic to get into the park was another story.  Make sure you leave early because traffic was at least a 1.5 hour wait!  Of course, you have to pay for parking as well. 

Balloon Rides:

Our pilot explained that he is bald because of the heat from the gas! :)

For balloon rides, you can sign up for tour groups ahead of time.  I didn’t sign up until the day of the festival and was lucky enough to have a spot available.  Weekends are the best time to ride because hundreds of balloons are released vs. afternoons and weekdays when there aren't as many.

Balloon Rides:

Afternoon: $295

Weekdays: $395

Weekends: $429

The festival started off with a few balloons released before the crack of dawn.  The called it Krispy Cream show but I didn't see any donuts!

Around 7am, the rest of the balloons started to take flight.  We went up about 1800ft in the air and about 12 miles out.  Up in the air, you can barely feel any movement at 12 mph.  Part of it was because we were moving wight he wind. The weather was cold but the gas from the balloon kept me warm. 

There were small events set up throughout the park to keep people entertained, but after all the balloons had been released, most people went home.  So, around 11am, the park was pretty deserted.  There were fireworks at night, but to get back into the park, you had to pay again.  If you leave and come back before 3pm, you can get in for free.  I did not get to see the fireworks because the traffic was so bad that they stopped letting people into the park. 

My bad luck continued the next day when the balloons could not fly because it was too windy.  The flag remained yellow. 

Food:

The turkey I got at one booth was disappointing.  Unfortunately, there was no way to know which booth had good turkey legs.  Some booths did not even smoke their own turkey legs.  They ordered it in and reheated it.    

Turkey leg in the making.

Ribbon Fries

Boudain Balls.  My favorite!

Funnel Cake

The fiesta was amazing and each balloon was picture perfect!  I would definitely come back next year but I probably won't ride the balloons.  With price at $429, I think experiencing it once was enough. 

San Francisco

This is the one place in the States that I kept going back!  Every time I went back, I always experienced something new!  San Francisco has everything from the multitudes of outdoor activities to the hundreds of restaurants for the foodies in you.  Because San Francisco housed so many different cultures, you can find about any food your heart desired.

Weather
San Francisco is known for its microclimate.   Wind and fog often surround San Francisco.  I've been to San Francisco in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  The weather has been about the same for all three seasons.  Dress in layers because while it gets hot walking around during the day, wind and fog make it worst at night and it gets very cold.

Transportation
Look into flying into Oakland for cheaper flights.  You can stay in Oakland and take the ferry or the subway into the city.

The roads in city were very steep so having good brakes was a must!  Cable cars and hop on hop off buses are very convenient ways to get around the city.  It took me all over the city and stopped at many tourist attractions.  Parking is very hard to find and you must be an expert at parallel parking!  Be careful when parking your car on the steep roads and turn your wheels in!

Attractions:

Fort Funston
This is a must see and do in San Francisco!  I think this is the most beautiful place in all of San Francisco!  You either have to get a taxi or rent a car to come here because this is not a main tourist attraction.  It is mainly a place known only by the locals.  People often bring their dogs so there are plenty of those friendly, furry, little creatures.  You can take the trail down to the beach for a nice relaxing walk.  The water is cold so swimming is not a good idea but I did dip my feet into the water.  There are plenty of trails along the coast splashed with red and orange moss.  This place is like a real life painting!  No filter needed!  Bring a light jacket because it gets a bit chilly with the wind.

Look! A fury little guy!

 Another one:)

 

Sunset at Fort Funston.  Nature at its best!

Alcatraz
This is a very popular attraction so make sure to make reservation a head because they do sell out and the lines are very long.  You can tour the famous prison that housed many of the state’s famous criminals.  It was said to be inescapable but so far about 3 people have escaped from it.  However, it was unknown if they survived the freezing water or the sharks that lurked the ocean.

Muir Woods
Just a short drive right outside the city, you can see the famous Coast Redwood.  The trees can grow close to 380ft. tall with the tallest tree in Muir Woods at 258ft.  Most of the trees in the park are 500-800 years old with the oldest at least 1200 years old!

Inside of a decaded Redwood tree.

Japanese Garden
This garden was smaller than all the other Japanese garden I have been to.  However, it was still very beautiful and during the springtime, you can catch the cherry blossoms.  A definite must see!

Golden Gate Bridge
This is an iconic structure for San Francisco and cannot be missed! Mostly because it is very big and visible from many locations in the city.  You can bike, walk, or drive across the bridge.  For such a beautiful bridge, it has the title of the second most used suicide site in the world!  The first being Nangjing Yangtze River Bridge.  Most jumpers die from trauma from impact, drowning, or hypothermia from the freezing water.

Lombard Street
Drive through the curviest road in the world if you can!  Be very careful and make sure you have good brakes.

Chinatown
You can find amazing Chinese food that will keep you coming back!  There were several Dim Sum places that make you wish you had a second stomach!

The most raved about Dim Sum restaurant in the city!

Dumplings! Sorry I didn't take a lot of pictures of food.  I was with people that if you don't eat fast, you don't eat!

Fishermans Wharf: Pier 39
Do not miss this place if you are a foodie! The famous clam chowder bread bowl cannot be missed!  There are several places that offered the delicious dish but I found the ones at Nick’s to be the best.  They put more clams in their chowder versus the one right next to it which tries to fill their chowder up with potatoes and not a lot of clams.  Dungeness crabs are also a must!  If you are a seafood lover, this is your paradise!

Clam Chowder in sourdough bread bowl

Dungeness Crabs

Fun time at the Pier

Ghirardelli Square
This is a relaxing place to just hang out.  People often bring a long a picnic or just sit and bathe in the in the sun.

Home to the chocolate lovers!