24 December
2013
24 December
2013
Boarding differently…
The girls were fascinated by the old style boarding. First, a bus took us in and then drove us about 50 yards – maybe less – to our plane. Then we stood in a queue waiting to climb up the boarding ladder. As we stood there, planes were taking off from the live runway a few hundred yards away. The kids were thrilled!!!
23 December
2013
Pushing the limit on service
Checking into an Indian hotel (or for that matter any Asian hotel) is always a reminder of what great service can look like. It is the same Marriott brand I sleep in some 120 nights a year – but even a Marriott Courtyard in Bombay gives me better service than some JWs elsewhere in the world.
Very very helpful and taking care of the kids and us in every possible way. Even asked us to consume whatever we wanted from the minibar free since it is so late at night and I give Marriott so much business!!
I guess that is the plus side of having a great supply of labor in a country.
On another note, I do think offering to help lock the bathroom door might be a little too much 🙂
23 December
2013
Finally, Mumbai!!
The girls at Mumbai airport waiting for our ride. Nearly thirty hours since we left home. We still have another flight to take and then a three hour car ride….
I understand Atlanta is hitting the twenties tonight. It is a hot 77 and humid here…
We checked into a hotel for a few hours to freshen up. Tasha checked in simply to get free WiFi. We can’t separate her from her phone now 🙂
23 December
2013
Haagen Dazs
22 December
2013
And we commence our trip…
The girls have settled down. Off to India to check on the ailing parents. My fourth one this year. This time the family is coming too!
I have a few more goals other than being with my parents for a couple of days. You will see them in my blogs…
Btw, the lower picture is inside the International terminal in Atlanta.
1 December
2013
Unique experience!
One of the greatest advantage of having a local guy take you around is the little known places that only locals know and no amount of literature reading would give you an idea.
We were on our way from Guanacaste to Arenal when Jorge asked if we would like to see a waterfall. We, of course, had nothing better to do – so we said Yes. An hour later, we exited the road and got onto something that can barely be called a cowpath – let alone a road. After about 15 minutes of driving over a virtual non-path, we came to a stop.
Found out from a guy sitting there that the waterfall is owned and operated by the Board of Education. The proceeds (there is no entry fee – you give whatever you feel like – and they give you a receipt regardless of the amount of the donation) go to building new schools. They have purposely not built any facilities or commercialized it because they feel that the municipality might take it way from the Board!
We walked down for about 5 minutes and came across this virtually virgin waterfall in absolutely desolate nature with nobody around. We got into the water and swam all the way to the fall. Hullor, Chiko, Nikita and I then scaled the rocks near the waterfall and went behind the waterfall. It was a little dangerous – the rocks were too slippery and offered no grip and we were afraid of slipping and hitting our head on the rock. But eventually we made it!!
That was the fun part. Then we realized that we had no towels and no facilities to change!!!! So, to show solidarity with nature, we walked into the forests nearby and changed. Athough, some of us had to scamper back once the howler monkeys started yelling!!!! 🙂
1 December
2013
Ficus tree
1 December
2013
Umbrella trees
1 December
2013
