Albuquerque

Day 10, Day tour of Albuquerque.

Picked up by bus and travelled to Albuquerque and was enlightened by very interesting commentary from driver Daniel along the way. Were dropped off and hopped onto a Trolley Bus where we toured the town with a fantastic guide, Alesia, providing wonderful commentary on an action packed one and a half hour tour.  Quite a bit of movie making done in Albuquerque including "Wild Hogs" and the tour passed houses which were used in these movies plus other American TV Series which we had never head of.  Had a walk around Old Town Albuquerque where narrow streets and century old adobe houses are home to New Mexican eateries serving enchiladas and sopaipilla pasteries plus tiny artisan shops selling jewellery, rugs and pottery.  Old Town Plaza is overlooked by a 18th century San Felipe de Neri Church.  The place was jammed packed with people as the Hot Air Balloon Festival was in full swing.

l

Picked up by the Trolley bus for a tour of Albuquerque, seen here passing through Old Town Albuquerque

Some of the architecture has a strong Mexican influence

A neighbourhood very popular for shooting movie scenes

Understand this is where a scene from "Wild Hogs' was shot when one of the motorbike riders hits a road sign and gets knocked off his bike!

Add caption

Colourful mural in one of the neighbourhoods  

Kimo Theatre - opulent art deco style 

Albuquerque Convention Centre 

San Felipe de Neri Church - historic Catholic Church built in 1793 situated on north side of Old Town Plaza

Architect Bart Prince's home 

Old Town Plaza

Street stall in front of Old Town Emporium

Just cruising the streets

Entertainment at the Old Town Plaza

Daniel picked us up late afternoon and drove back to Santa Fe via Mountain Road passing various Pueblos (communities of Native Americans). Native Americans own massive areas of land in this area and many are very rich operating casinos, oil, minerals, logging plus providing hunters with "trophey game" costing the hunters heaps of money to participate.  The land is not developed and will always remain open.  Moneys gained from casinos etc go back to the community for healthcare, looking after Elders (they have Elders Day Care!) etc.  Also travelled through Santa Fe National Forrest which provided stunning views, even with a bit of rain present. Observed where a massive forrest fire came close to the town of Los Alamos.

The bus trip back to Santa Fe - travelled through many Pueblos

Unfortunately it was very late by the time we got back to Santa Fe so many of the shops were shut in the Plaza. Would be great to experience in the day time.

Santa Fe Plaza

Saint Francis Cathedral, Santa Fe - opened in 1886

New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe