I met with John Willis IMG_0001 of the Near Eastern Studies Department and then noticed that the amaryllis IMG_0002 IMG_0003 in our kitchen was doing well, so it was time to go to the airport with Suzanne, Peter and Seva IMG_0004 and check our bags IMG_0005 so that we could head to Krispy Kreme IMG_0006 which made Peter IMG_0007 and Seva and Suzanne IMG_0008 IMG_0009 quite happy, maybe because they knew that this would be their meal IMG_0010 and this would be mine IMG_0011 the remains of which IMG_0012 were left for that strange person who would prefer a bagel at 40 degrees to a Krispy Kreme donut a few hours from fresh.

Before we knew it, the plane had landed and Suzanne IMG_0013 and Seva IMG_0014 were looking for our baggage while Peter IMG_0015 was looking for his voice mail because he'd already found the taxi that would take us past Roberto Clemente stadium IMG_0016 and through traffic IMG_0017 until the driver could pose with Peter in Fajardo IMG_0018 where we would eventually catch the ferry. Peter spoke with this policeman IMG_0019 and then we got closer to their conversation IMG_0020 and thought about some helados IMG_0021 while Suzanne IMG_0022 surveyed the boats and we wondered what to do with our baggage IMG_0023 while recording the obligatory phone booth picture IMG_0024 and heading down the street to look into the windows IMG_0025 of Jimmy's IMG_0026 which was unfortunately closed (for good?) so we brought our bags IMG_0027 back to the local cantina at the Hotel Delicioso where Suzanne IMG_0028 Peter IMG_0029 and Seva IMG_0030 admired the table tiles IMG_0031 as we watched the waitress IMG_0032 make our food. Peter prepared IMG_0033 to take a picture of me though the food IMG_0034 IMG_0035 looked much better. After our meal, Suzanne IMG_0036 relaxed by the sea as I recorded the Customs House IMG_0037 and these street signs IMG_0038 along with a close-up of the Pare sign IMG_0039 for someone's collection (I forgot who).

Once on board, Suzanne IMG_0040 followed this wisdom IMG_0041 as we pulled away from the shore IMG_0042 which made her quite happy IMG_0043 as Peter IMG_0044 was on the lookout for cloud formations IMG_0045 IMG_0046 I could record as Suzanne IMG_0047 phoned home and we watched the wake of the boat IMG_0048 analyzing how best to water ski across the waves. The ferry ride proceeded IMG_0049 until we started to see land IMG_0050 which got closer IMG_0051 and closer IMG_0052 while Suzanne and Seva IMG_0053 wondered how Peter IMG_0054 would get our bags off when we hit the shore IMG_0055 so that we could have the taxi experience which was too unique to even generate a single photograph. We will have to be contented with memories of how the driver knew where we would be staying regardless of what we told him and of the other passengers laughing at the radio program.

Once at our hotel, Suzanne led the tour of the main room IMG_0056 and the bathroom IMG_0057 with this signage IMG_0058 IMG_0059 before the Kramers returned IMG_0060 and we headed to dinner with them IMG_0061 and us IMG_0062 admiring the candle IMG_0063 as we had our first rum drinks IMG_0064 and found good uses for the flowers IMG_0065 IMG_0066 they came with. The meal itself was quite good with salad IMG_0067 that was not photogenic and Suzanne's fish, mushrooms and greens IMG_0068 and Peter's shrimp IMG_0069 before the dessert IMG_0070 led us to try decorating the table flowers IMG_0071 which may or may not have been real. We decided to claim the rental car IMG_0072 and call it a day so that we'd be ready the next day to check out beaches.

The next day Suzanne IMG_0073 was ready bright and early as I had my toast IMG_0074 and fruit IMG_0075 on this lovely plate IMG_0076 and then finished hers IMG_0077 and waited for Peter and Seva IMG_0078 to come through the brush with their suitcases IMG_0079 to store in our room IMG_0080 as we left the inn IMG_0081 to head towards the beach IMG_0082 where we saw these horses IMG_0083 who greeted us IMG_0084 as our first site before these traditional Caribbean scenes IMG_0085 IMG_0086 IMG_0087 as we unloaded the car IMG_0088 and headed to the beach IMG_0089 stopping to admire the fallen coconut IMG_0090 and wonder if it contained any milk. Sun Beach IMG_0091 IMG_0092 was elegant with light waves IMG_0093 as we set up IMG_0094 and admired the scene IMG_0095 and enjoyed the water before some rain came and we decided to drive on further.

We next entered the nature preserve IMG_0096 and drove on the bumpy roads IMG_0097 often seeing scenery like this IMG_0098 before we headed to the beach IMG_0099 at the point IMG_0100 and started to explore IMG_0101 to see what rocks IMG_0102 might be good for climbing by Peter IMG_0103 IMG_0104 or might give good views IMG_0105 or might be good for Seva IMG_0106 to collect shells and look for sea glass while David IMG_0107 IMG_0108 undoubtedly described the fish that got away. Meanwhile, our collection of artifacts IMG_0109 IMG_0110 was growing as Suzanne IMG_0111 and Peter and Seva IMG_0112 continued the search amid the rough seas IMG_0113 which had brought the shells through which Suzanne sifted IMG_0114 and of which Seva was choosing the very best IMG_0115 including this sea glass IMG_0116 as we did one last gather IMG_0117 put our treasure in the hat IMG_0118 and began the trek IMG_0119 back to the car IMG_0120 to head down this road IMG_0121 and continue the exploration along the bumpy road IMG_0122 IMG_0123 IMG_0124 until we found this hut at Blue Beach IMG_0125 and headed to the beach IMG_0126 after being sure that the bushes IMG_0127 were free of bandidos and the water IMG_0128 was clear.

But, before we could end the day, we needed to find the very elusive Orchid Beach. After a number of wrong turns, we finally found the left fork that came before the last right turn and were rewarded with this great water scene IMG_0129 that amused Peter IMG_0130 and Suzanne IMG_0131 as I marched out to sea. After various hand signals failed to orchestrate what could only be called a great possibility, I was waved in IMG_0132 and slowly IMG_0133 made my way IMG_0134 back into the fold where this conch shell IMG_0135 and this guide sign IMG_0136 suggested that we had to head to this store in town IMG_0137 where I could be fitted for these shoes IMG_0138 by this gentleman IMG_0139 and then pay these women IMG_0140 who had just gotten decoder rings that let them take this picture IMG_0141 so that I'd always remember where my Teva's came from. Peter and Seva IMG_0142 brought us the car keys and we stopped at this Esso station IMG_0143 en route to see Tom Wright where surprisingly we took no pictures.

Dinner that night involved these beverages IMG_0144 which looked better without the flash IMG_0145 as my salad and potato IMG_0146 and Seva's BLT IMG_0147 and the shared salad IMG_0148 were drowned out by the cheers from the football fans. I did manage to take the obligatory phone booth picture IMG_0149 even as Peter took the obligatory banana picture IMG_0150 so that we could end the day on the right tone.

Sunday began with a trip to our local beach IMG_0151 IMG_0152 where Suzanne IMG_0153 searched and I found this sea glass IMG_0154 that set her to further searching IMG_0155 as I recorded the scene IMG_0156 before we headed back to a breakfast IMG_0157 at which Peter IMG_0158 noted that Ben had lost a tooth even though our breakfast IMG_0159 was too soft to loosen a tooth. This lizard IMG_0160 amused the white rabbit IMG_0161 before we headed off to see the dogs IMG_0162 at the BioBay booking store where the dog theme IMG_0163 seemed to interact with the Island philosophy IMG_0164 that set the tone for our trip to Green Beach where this snake IMG_0165 was in the water as we explored IMG_0166 and saw the scenery IMG_0167 before Peter snorkeled away IMG_0168 and back IMG_0169 and Suzanne and Seva IMG_0170 admired one more conch IMG_0171 IMG_0172 before we decided to leave the refuge IMG_0173 with Suzanne IMG_0174 and head to the grocery store IMG_0175 from which we filled our trunk IMG_0176 for the journey back to Orchid Beach IMG_0177 where Peter took a picture IMG_0178 of this IMG_0179 and then I went into the water for long enough to get wrinkly fingers IMG_0180 before coming back to the salsa IMG_0181 and Peter's Sobe IMG_0182 properly oriented IMG_0183 and Seva's coke IMG_0184 and Suzanne's local beer IMG_0185 as we admired the beach IMG_0186 and Peter IMG_0187 observed our neighbors IMG_0188 as I observed my feet IMG_0189 and Peter IMG_0190 Seva IMG_0191 and Suzanne IMG_0192 did the beach thing as I recorded the panorama IMG_0193 IMG_0194 IMG_0195 IMG_0196 that was the sea and drank IMG_0197 to Suzanne's new flip flops IMG_0198 before recording the stick IMG_0199 of the bandido in training and the sky (to get to 200 pictures) IMG_0200 and Suzanne, Peter and Seva IMG_0201 at Red Beach ahead of the setting sun IMG_0202 as I IMG_0203 got ready to speak to this gentleman IMG_0204 from Philadelphia who might have been there to buy the island or might have been there for more nefarious purposes.

That evening, we picked up the Kramers at their new room IMG_0205 IMG_0206 which had this unreadable sign IMG_0207 and headed to the Media Luna IMG_0208 where Seva IMG_0209 Peter IMG_0210 Suzanne IMG_0211 and I IMG_0212 were amused by our waiter IMG_0213 from Minnesota who said he had seen us on the beach that day and told about his forthcoming trip to Sam's Club and the debate about the $20 plane ride or the $2 ferry ride. The service was great and the food was as good as could be, so we stopped to salute the chefs IMG_0214 who permitted us to stir the pot IMG_0215 before we headed home for the night.

Monday morning, I walked past our local cactus IMG_0216 and bush IMG_0217 to record Suzanne IMG_0218 as she approached IMG_0219 to head for the toaster IMG_0220 and adorn the meal with fruit IMG_0221 that made her happy IMG_0222 as I had my spreads IMG_0223 and she had her omelet IMG_0224 for breakfast. We admired the collection (including the rare blue sea glass) IMG_0225 of our neighbors, Megan and Kim (class of 1983) IMG_0226 who know Susan Taylor. After a stop here IMG_0227 to get more gas IMG_0228 we went to Media Luna IMG_0229 where the sky IMG_0230 and beach IMG_0231 looked good so we walked in IMG_0232 leaving the car IMG_0233 and admiring the drip castle IMG_0234 our neighbors made. In the rocks IMG_0235 IMG_0236 by the side of the beach were pretty coral IMG_0237 though we all decided IMG_0238 IMG_0239 to stay away from the sea urchins lest we bleed black. While on this beach, I perfected the self portrait first learning to focus IMG_0240 and then learning to discard the sun glasses IMG_0241 so that I would appear IMG_0242 while the others IMG_0243 explored. I decided to extend my technology to record my feet IMG_0244 in new sandals IMG_0245 with no seaweed in the picture. Next we parked at this sign IMG_0246 which explained nature and welcomed us to Navio Beach. The gang IMG_0247 watched the ships IMG_0248 and then we checked out the caves IMG_0249 before another self portrait IMG_0250 to show my skill was improving and pictures of the beach scene before IMG_0251 IMG_0252 IMG_0253 IMG_0254 IMG_0255 IMG_0256 IMG_0257 and after IMG_0258 IMG_0259 IMG_0260 IMG_0261 IMG_0262 my long stint in the water talking to the fish. This led to more self portraits IMG_0263 IMG_0264 IMG_0265 IMG_0266 IMG_0267 after which it was time to pack up the car IMG_0268 check out the sign IMG_0269 and drive down this road IMG_0270 to town where we saw the sales IMG_0271 and rental IMG_0272 ads before checking out the menu IMG_0273 at the Tiki Hut IMG_0274 and ordering IMG_0275 fine food. Their totem IMG_0276 stood near the only address IMG_0277 we saw in the town as we admired the coconuts IMG_0278 and I prepared IMG_0279 to drive us back to Orchid Beach for lunch. My lunch was the Bikini Blue (no onions) IMG_0280 and this diet Snapple IMG_0281 which didn't taste as good as it looked. My sandwich IMG_0282 did. Suzanne and Seva collected lots of shells IMG_0283 IMG_0284 IMG_0285 with this finger IMG_0286 to give size perspective and Peter IMG_0287 thought the seaweed ball IMG_0288 was reason to come out of the water IMG_0289 to have a detailed discussion IMG_0290 IMG_0291 IMG_0292 IMG_0293 IMG_0294 IMG_0295 with our ADD OCD inflicted IMG_0296 neighbor who had questionable housing status and really liked listening to Larry King as he interviewed Bill Cosby.

That night we took this school bus IMG_0297 to the BioBay IMG_0298 where the people in the water IMG_0299 IMG_0300 IMG_0301 did not look as good as Peter, Seva and Suzanne IMG_0302 swimming among the glowing plankton.

Dinner that night was at the Italian restaurant in town and the Kramers IMG_0303 and we IMG_0304 were ready for the wine IMG_0305 as we explored the menu IMG_0306 and had salads IMG_0307 and pasta IMG_0308 not to mention Suzanne's IMG_0309 Seva's IMG_0310 and Peter's IMG_0311 main courses as we met the owner IMG_0312 and I showed my ``about to be'' clean plate IMG_0313 to our waiter IMG_0314 who then brought dessert IMG_0315 and coffee IMG_0316 as we speculated about the group at the other table IMG_0317 seen from the other end as well IMG_0318 who turned out to be a group of students from RISD.

On our last day, we got up and went to our local beach IMG_0319 for one more search IMG_0320 for shells and sea glass brought on by the waves IMG_0321 as they came in IMG_0322 and my haul IMG_0323 was fine. Suzanne IMG_0324 and I IMG_0325 were ready to go as I took a final self portrait IMG_0326 and admired the chips IMG_0327 left behind while we went to the parking lot IMG_0328 and Suzanne took a few pictures of me IMG_0329 IMG_0330 and me one of the scene IMG_0331 and a few of her IMG_0332 IMG_0333 and the bilingual sign IMG_0334 before the Kramers drove up IMG_0335 and we loaded the car IMG_0336 for what would be a truly unique ride to the airport, hopefully never to be repeated.

Once at the airport, we checked in IMG_0337 and while we waited IMG_0338 for the planes IMG_0339 IMG_0340 we met this gentleman (PU class of 1971) IMG_0341 who reminded us that we had taken his picture in the group at dinner the night before. The baggage claim tags IMG_0342 allowed us IMG_0343 to head to the plane where the co-pilot IMG_0344 pretended to take my picture and the captain IMG_0345 insisted that he had never flown before as we checked out the plane IMG_0346 and then got on IMG_0347 feeling in a good mood IMG_0348 IMG_0349 because the car chase was over. The ride gave good scenery IMG_0350 IMG_0351 and since I was traveling with a physicist, I tried to catch a stroboscopic picture IMG_0352 IMG_0353 of the rotor in place but had no success, so I recorded us as we headed down IMG_0354 IMG_0355 IMG_0356 and then headed to the terminal building IMG_0357 where this van IMG_0358 took us to the car rental place IMG_0359 where these gentlemen IMG_0360 gave us the van that would take us to the grocery store where we could scour the ointments IMG_0361 and decide against the nuts IMG_0362 before having Kenneth Rivera IMG_0363 check us out to the amusement of this gentleman IMG_0364 from Orlando. We drove on IMG_0365 to El Portal IMG_0366 where this man IMG_0367 let us in to see the jungle growth IMG_0368 IMG_0369 including these beautiful flowers IMG_0370 and the croton IMG_0371 that led us to the visitor's center IMG_0372 across the bridge IMG_0373 over the jungle growth IMG_0374 that we all IMG_0375 admired IMG_0376 before heading in to the rain forest where we first encountered these falls IMG_0377 IMG_0378 at which we took a group picture of our group IMG_0379 and of the neighboring group IMG_0380 before heading to the trail IMG_0381 and winding down IMG_0382 down IMG_0383 down IMG_0384 around IMG_0385 across bridges IMG_0386 until we saw water IMG_0387 and took a picture of this gentleman IMG_0388 who was embarrassed that he stepped into our picture that he insisted on taking this picture IMG_0389 since he didn't realize he was the subject. After getting to the end IMG_0390 we stood on the bridge IMG_0391 and watched the guitar player IMG_0392 and the falls IMG_0393 IMG_0394 which were the main attraction for Peter IMG_0395 who took this picture IMG_0396 while I took this one IMG_0397 and we began the long walk back up the 434 steps. A few sites in the rain forest characterized our personalities IMG_0398 IMG_0399 IMG_0400 before we drove on past the Saint Just sign IMG_0401 and past the monument to the first governor IMG_0402 to this point IMG_0403 which was best illustrated sans flash IMG_0404 and then on to the rental car return IMG_0405 where we removed the luggage IMG_0406 and tags IMG_0407 and took the courtesy van to the airport IMG_0408 where we checked in IMG_0409 and Suzanne led the walk IMG_0410 to our gate where Suzanne's yawn and Peter's cell phone IMG_0411 gave the feel of the end of the vacation. As we prepared to board IMG_0412 we were happy that we hadn't lost our heads on vacation IMG_0413 even though the vegetarian IMG_0414 and regular IMG_0415 dinners eaten to completion IMG_0416 might have encouraged it.

Once back home, all we could do was reclaim our baggage IMG_0417 so that I could see Susan Taylor IMG_0418 the next day and somehow bring closure to the trip

On Friday, I ventured out into the snow and cold IMG_0419 to meet Betsy Haas IMG_0420 for this breakfast IMG_0421 at PJs so that we could compare our daughters' shared experiences at Princeton.