Balloons at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, USA

The oldest way to fly. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA

October brings falling leaves, darker evenings and Halloween. But in Albuquerque, in the US state of New Mexico, the beginning of October means a skyful of hot air balloons. The 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of its kind, with more than 500 hot air balloons taking part. What started as a launch of 13 balloons from a parking lot in 1972 has become the biggest event of the year here in Albuquerque. The city’s residents can see balloons in flight, simply by stepping outside of their homes and looking up.