A Day in Sedona

Our day started at 6am when we were picked at our hotel for our much anticipated hotair balloon ride. After some research Jing had settled on Red Rock Balloons company. We drove to the chosen launch site with our baloon in the trailer and were able to see it being blown up and lit up. It was unexpected cold and we weren't really prepared for it. But the amazing views made up for it. We were in a relatively larger balloon with four carriers that each fit three people. I had no feeling of motion during the entire flight, even when we rose up and down several times. The heat from the fire kept the top halves of us really warmed up but our feet were frozen. A second balloon was launched mintues after ours and seeing it helped us to get a relative idea for our height in air. Th whole ride lasted for a little more than an hour and it was a magical, one of a kind experience. The crew treated us to mimosas and muffins after the ride.

Our item for the day was to visit the vortex points. We started at the Airport Vortex. Vortexes are swirling centers of subtle energy coming out from the surface of the earth. Though we did stand near a supposed vortex point indicated by the twisting of trees to one side, we didn't really feel anything special. Climbing upto the top did have its reward of more beautiful views. The Bell Rock was our next stop. We walked for quite a while to get closer to the rock but didn't attempt any hiking. On our way, we drove past another interesting sight, a church of the rock.

Sedona was a town really catering to the tourists.There were art galleries and jewelleries stores in every corner. For lunch, we stopped at Tlequepaque a crafts village.It was a beuatiful space with exquisite shops along with a few restaurants. We had some cheap but great Mexican food for lunch at El
Rincon.

Our last stop on the way back to Chandler was at Montezuma Castle; one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America more than 1000yrs old. It was was probably one of my first times seeing something so ancient on American soil. After an adventure filled day, we capped it off with some great hot pot at home.