Up, Up and Away!! A Blog by STI Concierge, Michael!

After many years as a Singles Travel International (STI), Singles Cruise Concierge, I lead my first singles vacation on land at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, so I was really excited to do something new and different. On the first day, STI members came from all over the country, met for our first STI Happy Hour at the hotel bar, getting to know each other, all in great spirits! We then went to the St. Clari Winery for a fabulous dinner! After dinner, some brave souls went on a Ghost Tour of Albuquerque, the rest, went back to hotel for a good nights sleep!!!

 The next morning, we all gathered in the hotel lobby, waiting for our luxurious tour bus that was going to take us to our first activity. Little did I know what we were in for when I took my eager but sleepy group to the field at the Balloon Fiesta Park at 5:30am for the Special Shapes Day!!!

 WOW! Hot Air Balloons were being inflated all over this vast field in the dark. We were all fascinated the way the various hot air balloon teams did this.  One by one, the Special Shapes Balloons were carefully taken out of their trailers, unraveled and placed on the ground. Then propane tanks were set aflame, lighting up the night, and the heat magically inflated these humongous hot air balloons. But not just any hot air balloons. The morning sun brought us a show that we would not soon forget! Darth Vader – Pepsi Cola Can – Smokey the Bear – Sponge Bob – Witches – Birds – Bumble Bees – The Space Shuttle (my favorite). Yes, the SPACE SHUTTLE!!! The biggest Balloon there…..Huge!!!  Hundreds of Special Shapes were now flying against (by now) a beautiful blue sky. 

 In another part of the park, another set of balloons was lifting off. There shapes were the standard style that we are used to seeing. But these were no ordinary balloons. These balloons had some special cargo aboard: 9 of our lucky STI group members who opted to participate and go UP, UP and AWAY to get a birds-eye view of Albuquerque. A flight of a lifetime, and this was just the first day!

 At 9:30am, we were all picked up from the field in a luxurious tour bus, and given a guided tour of the infamous Route 66, a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and taken to the Old Town section of Albuquerque, for shopping and lunch. In the afternoon, some of our group went on a tour of the Artisan Winery, while others went on the Sandia Peak Arial Tramway where breathtaking panoramic views were observed and photographed. A well deserved STI Happy Hour was then had by all before dinner back at our exclusive hotel, and then it was off to dinner at the High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, which was awesome! Could it get any better than this?

 The next morning, we found out! After breakfast, we were off to the historic and picturesque Santa Fe. This was truly a treat, visiting such points of interest as the historic Plaza, St. Francis Cathedral, the Loretto Chapel, with its famous “miraculous” staircase, and the San Miguel Mission.  Founded in 1610, Santa Fe was the last stop on the Camino Real, the fabled Royal that stretched from Mexico City to the northernmost reaches of the Spanish Empire. Today it is the heart and soul of the Southwest and “Santa Fe Style” is synonymous with all the best the region has to offer.  Its historic Plaza, winding streets, covered arcades, hidden gardens and courtyards, and Pueblo-style architecture reflect the blending of Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. At 3:30pm, we departed Santa Fe to return to Balloon Fiesta Park for the spectacle of the evening Glowdeo®.  We enjoyed dinner at the exclusive Gondola Club, which featured a fabulous buffet style dinner, an open bar, and a live band! During the glow, balloons inflated at dusk, remain tethered, and light their burners in a synchronized fashion.  The “glow” effect is created by the same burner system used in flight; however, pilots use various means to bypass the “pre-heat” coils on the burner. These coils help the burner work efficiently, but the flame is a dull blue and does not emit a lot of light. To finish off a perfect trip, a fireworks show followed the Glowdeo, and lastly, a final trip along the many vendors to pick up some last minute souvenirs.

I think it would be safe to say that a fabulous time was had by all. We are all looking forward to the 2011 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! This year is the 40^th anniversary, so I am sure they will pull out all the stops to make this the best Balloon Fiesta ever!!!  Plus, I have lots of insider and first hand knowledge about the fest that will make it even better for our members this year.  I hope you will join me in October!

Click here to join us October 6-9, 2011. 
http://www.singlestravelintl.com/trip_packages/108-balloon-fiesta-in-albuquerque