Sunday, October 04, 2009
From Directly Underneath
Shot from directly underneath the balloons, they look like Christmas ornaments.
Surprise Arrivals
As the first line of balloons rise, you begin to see colorful mounds appear in the distance as the next set of balloons begin to take shape. The building in the lower left hand corner is the Balloon Museum.
Winners of "Best Table Sharers"
These guys kindly shared their picnic table with us and for us, became one of the highlights of the morning activites with their hysterical running commentaries. They were in town for a trucking conference and decided to go to the fiesta for a few hours before leaving town. A wonderful added plus to the fiesta: the folks from all over the US that we met throughout the day.
And yes, that is one of the balloons encroaching on our table. No worries about getting close enough to see the action.
And yes, that is one of the balloons encroaching on our table. No worries about getting close enough to see the action.
Mass Ascension at the Balloon Fiesta
In the freezing cold and darkness, balloons began rising in a straight line until a brightly colored row crossed the enormous field of waiting people. At one point they all went dark and then, as the PA system announced each balloon, the burners came on one at a time to the amazement of the audience. It's now my favorite way to greet the dawn.
Balloon Fiesta Kick-Off
Yesterday was the first day of the annual Balloon Fiesta, the largest collection of hot air balloons in the world. For years I have been told by locals, if you want to go to the balloon festival, you have to book your hotel in Albuquerque a year in advance. I fooled them all and moved to Santa Fe a year ago. With friends Dennis and Camille visiting from Virginia, we set out yesterday at 3:45 am on the 50 mile drive from Santa Fe to the Fiesta grounds.
This is what the fiesta looks like at 4:45 am with an almost full moon shining over it.
This is what the fiesta looks like at 4:45 am with an almost full moon shining over it.Friday, October 02, 2009
29 Days to Go!
I woke up this morning to a huge surprise - I made it to the Alumni newsletter of my high school - quite an honor! Thomas Jefferson High is in Richmond, Virginia and interestingly enough, friends from Richmond
are here this week to join me for the yearly Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Barring high winds, we should see the launch of the most hot air balloons seen anywhere in the world and hopefully some stunning photography.
As for the Round the World trip, it really is coming down to the wire for the planning. With 29 days there are visas to be obtained, reservations to be made and everything I own to be moved into storage.
If you are just tuning in - the trip will take 7 months and I will be travelling to Jakarta, Bangkok, Dubai, Cairo, Johannesburg, and Prague and from each of those cities taking trips to surrounding countries. The only additional trip booked at this point is to the Kingdom of Brunei, a side trip from Jakarta.
Pictured is my well worn map of Indonesia. With 1400 islands I'm having trouble planning where to go. (Also, they recently went through another devastating Tsunami.)
Going forward, I hope you will travel with me and also send any recommendations from your experiences. For me traveling is usually a matter of guidebooks and trial and error, so your advice is appreciated. And Happy Trails from Ramblin me.
are here this week to join me for the yearly Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Barring high winds, we should see the launch of the most hot air balloons seen anywhere in the world and hopefully some stunning photography.As for the Round the World trip, it really is coming down to the wire for the planning. With 29 days there are visas to be obtained, reservations to be made and everything I own to be moved into storage.
If you are just tuning in - the trip will take 7 months and I will be travelling to Jakarta, Bangkok, Dubai, Cairo, Johannesburg, and Prague and from each of those cities taking trips to surrounding countries. The only additional trip booked at this point is to the Kingdom of Brunei, a side trip from Jakarta.
Pictured is my well worn map of Indonesia. With 1400 islands I'm having trouble planning where to go. (Also, they recently went through another devastating Tsunami.)
Going forward, I hope you will travel with me and also send any recommendations from your experiences. For me traveling is usually a matter of guidebooks and trial and error, so your advice is appreciated. And Happy Trails from Ramblin me.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Ramblin Technology
On this trip I'm lucky that technology advances so quickly, because it just keeps getting better and lighter. With a 50 lb. weight limit (and the suitcase weighs 10 lbs.), weight is a huge issue.
I love the new Notebook wireless laptop from Verizon. It weighs less than 2 lbs. and fits in a purse. I've already taken it on a test run in Albuquerque and was able to send photos easily to my blog.
My favorite piece of technology, however, is my new iPod (in photo between my laptop and cell phone). What an addiction! In 2 weeks I've recorded 300 songs and it is only half full. I own over 2,000 CDs and LPs and it was tough thinking about being without my music for the 7 months of this trip. I love world music and it is my biggest collectable while traveling, but sometimes you just need to listen to your own tunes.
And finally, I can't say enough about plastic bags, low-tech though they may be. The stores all display beautiful expensive luggage with all their beautiful matching bags to pack inside. Forget it! In China I had to carry all my luggage while I ran across the airport to the international terminal to make my connection to Tibet, and I felt every ounce I was carrying. Forget matching leather cases and go for matching Ziplocs. If you feel the need, buy some of those little stick on alligators to make you feel like they are designer bags.
And happy "light" rambling!
I love the new Notebook wireless laptop from Verizon. It weighs less than 2 lbs. and fits in a purse. I've already taken it on a test run in Albuquerque and was able to send photos easily to my blog.
My favorite piece of technology, however, is my new iPod (in photo between my laptop and cell phone). What an addiction! In 2 weeks I've recorded 300 songs and it is only half full. I own over 2,000 CDs and LPs and it was tough thinking about being without my music for the 7 months of this trip. I love world music and it is my biggest collectable while traveling, but sometimes you just need to listen to your own tunes.
And finally, I can't say enough about plastic bags, low-tech though they may be. The stores all display beautiful expensive luggage with all their beautiful matching bags to pack inside. Forget it! In China I had to carry all my luggage while I ran across the airport to the international terminal to make my connection to Tibet, and I felt every ounce I was carrying. Forget matching leather cases and go for matching Ziplocs. If you feel the need, buy some of those little stick on alligators to make you feel like they are designer bags.
And happy "light" rambling!
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