Whoosh! Whoosh!

As the hot air balloon filled with riders floats through the air, the world is silent and still -- except for the occasional whoosh sound and burst of heat from the flame propelling the balloon higher.  Across the horizon, the sky is speckled with over 700 hot air balloons during the largest balloon fiesta in the world.  Among the balloons sailing through the air are a giant beer mug, a Smokey the Bear, a Creamland cow, a Noah's ark and -- yes -- the two bees that will navigate through the air to join together in a "kiss."

Started in 1972 with a mere 13 balloons, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is now the largest balloon fiesta in the world and the largest international event of any kind in the country, according to the official Web site.  Every year, during the first week of October, the sky over Albuquerque is filled with colorful balloons against the backdrop of the fiery sunrise over the Sandia Mountains.

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