The Arrival

Can't have trip pictures without one from the plane. I guess I'm a sucker for mountains and puffy clouds. It also gives us a stunning view of the starboard engine (and where not to step on the engine if we so desired to venture outside the cabin).

Personally, I think this picture doesn't do the engine justice. The previous picture was much better. Oh, and that's a pretty beach.  Would be better if it wasn't rainy.

The Town and Country Hotel.  Such a beautiful place.  Good price for such a nice hotel, too.  Say hello to fellow SAO intern Megan.  She's doing what we should all do from time to time:  stopping to smell the roses.

More of the hotel.  It's a 40-acre complex of buildings and convention centers.  That's the "tower" building in the back.  And those are incredibly tall palm trees.

We were all supposed to be there by about 2:40 or so in the afternoon.  By about 3:30, only five of us had actually arrived (plus Jonathan, who had scampered off to get his bag).

Sorry.  Just can't get enough of this hotel.  This is the view right outside my room.  Looks great even though it was raining.

Ryan, Megan, Linda, and Cece, with the first and last playing around with the nutcracker/toy soldier dudes in the hotel lobby.

The zoo!  I hadn't been to a zoo since very early elementary school, so this was exciting for me.  Those weird astronomy geeks blocking the view of the elephant are Megan, Cece, Monica, Linda, Ryan, and Clay.

This place was even more beautiful at night when all the lights came on.  'Course, being the astronomy geek I am,
I take pictures of the sky.  And palm trees.  Gotta have the palm trees.

This was Wednesday night during the banquet.  I got most of the table trying to make the goblets sing.  It was amusing.  Beginning here at the front:  David, Deb, Clay, Monica, Tyrel, Megan, Linda, Cece, and Ryan (i.e. everyone but Joey, who decided to skip out on us).   :-]

Next:  The River