DSC_4115.JPGPing-pong was the only sport going.
On the fifth day, we arrived to Puerto Vallarta, where the same five of us had signed up for a canopy adventure in the nearby mountains. Unfortunately, Sandy wasn't well enough to go out, so Haley took her place.
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Ping-pong was the only sport going.
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Our state room in its usual state.
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Tedd in his unusual state.
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The stateroom after the steward had done his daily clean-up.
(Notice the towel animal on the left.)
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The bathroom was compact, but didn't feel crowded (unless
more than one person tried to use it simultaneously).
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Puerto Vallarta, complete with barbecue smell and gaping
gutters.
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I got the feeling these were the upscale apartments.
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In the afternoon, we took a short boat ride to get to
the headquarters of the adventure company that would
take us up and into the trees of the tropical forest.
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Little boat and BIIG boat.
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Hat flew off
Tedd reaching after his hat, which almost blew out the
back of the open-air van we rode up to the rainforest.
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Yes, the hand-holds were necessary, as we found out
on the later part of our ride.
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Another van of victims, who called out warnings that
we should turn back before it was too late.
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Our destination.
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I'm not sure what his job was, exactly, or why it required
a hard-hat, but this poor donkey was still tied up to
the same tree when we left.
Owner Tessala Larson
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The platform in the foreground is one of two dozen or
so throughout the forest, connected by ziplines or bridges
to other platforms. Our mission was to traverse from
one to the next while dangling by a harness.
Keywords hdr
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Heading down to the briefing station.
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Luis
Our illustrious group leader. There were about five
groups with five or six guides and up to fifteen participants
going simultaneously.
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One of the guides demostrating the final descent (repel)
to the forest floor, which we would be doing at the
end. Sadly, I have no photos of the adventure itself,
as cameras all had to be left at base. (Safety, or
an additional strategy for selling the DVD of our experience
at the end? Hmmm...)
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It was getting dark by the time we climbed into the
truck again to head back to our port. Our outgoing
driver was a bit crazy, and we were flying all over
the place despite our seatbelts and hand-holds.
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The sunset was beautiful, as we caught glimpses of it
on the drive back.
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Later that evening was a fancy dessert party around
the mid-deck pool, with cool ice sculptures and gorgeous
victuals.
Keywords hdr, photoshop
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One of several intricately carved watermelons, with
special effects added by the camera being in the wrong
flash mode.
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Probably not the chef's first go at baking.
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The crocodiles were an endangered species, and disappeared
to trophy collectors' tables early on.
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Focus is sharp on the booze in the background.
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Mom gets in the act.
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Our final day began as all the rest -- sleeping in late.
Keywords funny, photoshop
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Sandy was finally on her feet again after catching a
nasty sinus infection mid-cruise and missing out on
the canopy excursion.
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Alina playing solitaire during cocktail hour.
Owner Tessala Larson
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Cocktailethon
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Haley and April looking classy.
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The Brothers Grinn.
Owner April Ward
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Tempo Quartet
Our favorite act was the hard-working Romanian Tempo
Quartet, who played three to four hours every night.
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Back in San Diego, we got into the long holiday check-in
queue, which actually moved pretty quickly. We still
had four hours to wait after that for our flights, but
enjoyed the benefit of free wireless to catch up with
our e-friends.
Page created Dec 23 2007 7:38:05p