Wedding in the Bahamas (16.-19. Jan. 2012)

Alright! I'm all rested from my EuroTrip . . . just in time for my friend's wedding . . . in the Bahamas! I've never been there either. This trip will change that.

This trip is special; not only because of the wedding, but also because my parents came with me. This is the first time we've travelled together (dad and I) since I was 10. Wow, I didn't think I'd have to wait 15 years for the next one. Hopefully I won't have to wait another 15 for the very next one! We'll see.

No, this is not the Bahamas. This is outside our appartment in January. Since when did January look like Autmn?

Dad, Olguita (dad's wife), and I at Fort Lauderdale Airport, waiting for our turn to board the plane.


Waiting for take-off . . . and to see who will start panicking first.

We were going to rent a car, but this car had a lot of issues and the prices were pretty steep.

We took a taxi instead.

Good thing too. They drive on the left (we drive on the right).

A scene I captured as we sped by in the taxi.

The view from our balcony.

Further to the right, still from our balcony (on the 2nd floor).

No wonder they call this place "Paradise Island."

From our balcony, just look up.

Dad and I were captivated by something.

Stoic moment.

That evening, we explored the Atlantis resort (we were on the same island, so why not?).

A friend's suggestion.

To the casino!

Wow. Hello.

Fountains and a rolling marble ball.

Part of the aquarium.

An outdoor patio.

The "bridge" connecting Atlantis' east and west Royal towers (too bad you can't really see it).

This "bridge" is actually a 10-room suite, which costs $25,000 a night. But, if you book this suite, you can book it for a minimum of 4 nights. So, now you know what you can do if you want to blow $100,000 all at once.

I had to take a picture of this T-shirt!

If you want one, go to the Bahamas!

Island Hybiscus

Most of the Atlantis resort from the "water taxi" we took to go downtown.

Dad and I enjoying the ride.

The Royal Towers.

There's the $100,000 suite/bridge.

Walking to the Fish Fry, where one can go and have some authentic Bahamian cuisine.

Poor dad was out.

My lunch:

2 fried fish, baked macaroni and cheese, peas and grits, and fried plantains.

Everything was surprisingly spicy; but still good.

Sunset at a nearby beach (from our hotel).

The swimming pool and hot tub . . .

We've visited the hot tub already twice before, but after the beach, I'm going in the pool.

Same beach from the evening before.

Before . . .

. . . After.

It's time.

The wedding.

I love how there are 3 races represented here.

The bridal party!

(no groomsmen)

Everyone to the left!

Ugh, what are we doing now?

Reception: the Menu.

The cake.

The cake-topper.

I like it.

Time to fly back to Florida.

It's time to leave, but let me do so with the picture of one of the best actors of all time, who happens to be from the Bahamas:

Sydney Portier!

If you love movies and you've never heard of him or seen him . . . child, you've deprived yourself.

EuroTrip 2011 (Sweden-pt.2)

On this day, my friend took me to Nora and Örebro and showed me around a bit. Nora is a really small town about a 20 min. drive from her village. Örebro is a small city about 1 hr. away.

"Europa Nostra (Our Europe) Award of 1993" to Nora, basically for preserving their charming, ageless town.

The train station at Nora--which isn't used anymore.

The reliefs depicts scenes from the people's everyday lives.

One side domestic, the other side are miners.

The Tower at Örebro.

The view from the top.

Ha! Swedish, English, and German. Who would've thought I'd understand 2 of the 3 languages?

Last look up at the tower.

I couldn't pass up another castle!

Some information about the Örebro castle.

The "old town", quite well preserved.

huh, I guess this is where you go to get help when you're in trouble.

I'm not going to get in trouble for this, will I?

Ah! I'm going back to the past!

My friend and I spell our names using the magnetic "ancient written language." Mine is the second one.

I've never seen these before: cups with straws that suck the liquid from the bottom. Fancy that!

Now you can test your pictoral comprehension: What does each symbol mean?

Leaving from the Örebro train station very early in the morning, to make it to my flight down to München (Munich).

One means "Open" and the other means "Close": which is which?

My last transfer before arriving to the airport.

I had a very long day because I barely slept the night before, had to get up very early that day, and I was sick. As soon as I got to Munich, I looked for a hotel. I got one, thanks to the people at a hotel info desk in the airport. I didn't care about anything else that day: I needed to sleep.

The next day, I woke up early (but not too early), made it back to the airport and flew back to America. It was a long trip, but I was happy to be with my family again.

Next question: When will I do this again?