Then, it was time to depart for warmer climes as we had done in
2004
and
2003
so we said good bye to Ben
and Jane
as Suzanne gathered her things
and the limo driver appeared
to load us into the car
and go pick up the Kramers
as we drove through the darkness
which was almost dark in the car as well as the driver provided us with some
unique memories by not knowing how to turn on the lights and not having
enough money (or E-Z-Pass) for the tolls. But we did get to the airport
and celebrated passing security
by stopping for coffee
before boarding the plane where I took this self portrait
and this picture of Suzanne
as we headed off
and my meal
looked better than Suzanne's
even in good light
though both benefited
from being buried. Before we knew it, we were looking down on San Juan
and stretching the wing
because the runway was approaching
for our landing
and we found ourselves in the air terminal
where this map
told us where we might go
as the American Airlines gate
told us how we'd get there though we'd have time to explore the shops
and walk the corridors
into and out of yet another shop
as I paused for a self portrait
and a profile
and another try
while Suzanne and Peter found a champagne at a good price
before we made our way to Domino's pizza
where the individual pan pies were waiting
but the service was painfully slow though we did get back to Seva
and Suzanne
so that Peter
and I could enjoy our water
and pizza
before heading back through the gate
to boarding
even as our luggage
got on the front of the plane
for the hop to Beef Island Airport. The view looked good
as we got off the plane
at the airport building
and took the requisite picture of the airport sign
even as our plane was being refueled
and we waited in line for immigration
and then customs
before this woman
got us ready
to check out the local license plates
as our car was being brought forth
to ferry us around the island.
On the trip to the hotel, I proved
that a flash doesn't work through a car window as I tried to capture
images of the Xmas directions at the rotary but instead ... At the hotel,
the desk clerk
checked us in but then posed for a better picture
so that we could get to our room and I could notice that we overlooked
the pool
as I tried to place myself in the room
which had nice space
and a semi-functional bathroom
even as Suzanne rested
while we waited for dinner.
Dinner began with the clinking of glasses of the drink they called the painkiller
which amused Suzanne
and Seva
and me
as I admired the plates
and ate my salad
as Suzanne had her fish
and the coffee
closed the meal
as we wandered off to see our first palm tree
of the trip and viewed the lap lanes
in the pool.