Puerto Rico Trip - Day 8: Wedding day (5/7/11)

After breakfast, we have dance practice/rehearsal for the reception which was fun. We then chilled in the room until picture time. After pictures are taken, we head down and get it started. 

Me in my snazzy getup. Back-lit a bit but it is snazzy trust me. 

The groom and his parents. Looking dapper as always!

The carriage is pulling in to pick up the passengers. 

The Modh family gathers to begin the procession to unite the groom with the bride. 

R and his sis get in a horse drawn carriage and all of R's side starts dancing and celebrating on a slow march/celebration towards the wedding area. Music playing, people dancing and carrying on; it's quite the spectacle and people staying in the resort were all coming out and taking pictures everywhere and V going into a crowd of spectators and dancing with them as he is a good dancer and enjoys it.

Here we go. People were all out watching the giant horde of people dancing to loud music. 

As I said, there was dancing. We stopped in a few places so they could all dance and what not.

Groom and parents getting jiggy with it. 

Twins and the groom dancing up a storm. 

We then decided to pick up Rish and carry him around a bit so he could dance a little higher.

Once at the wedding area, P's side is waiting there. We enter in our pairs of groomsmen and bridesmaids to get the wedding started and then P gets carried in with a veiled enclosure with 4 guys carrying her. She joins R and they get on with the wedding. 

The bridal entrance to the ceremony. Once again, these women are artistic; those designs were flower petals.

Groom waiting his bride with a spectacular view of the ocean behind them.

The groomsmen hanging out waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The bride gets carried in like a boss! That is how you make an entrance!

Having some water in my awesome outfit while I enjoy the ceremony.

After the ceremony (very pretty – both in the actual ceremony and the backdrop of the island paradise overlooking the water), we get changed into our reception attire and get that part kicked off. It was a lot of fun and very well done with people dancing the whole time and everyone having a great time. Once that finishes, we continue partying in the hospitality room for another long night. In the morning, I say my good-byes and head back to the airport on the shuttle to catch my flight home.

Some handsome dudes hanging out with the recently married Rish.

The happy married couple. Looking great guys!

My bridal party companion for the entrance dance.

They had these tall ladies on stilts dancing through the reception to the latin music.

Chocolate fondue fountain dippings touthpicked to a pineapple tree I believe. Such a great and tasty idea!

Me and my roomy/the groom. Congrats my man!

Bunch of handsome dudes hanging out after an amazing day!

Puerto Rico Trip - Day 7: Let the Festivities begin! (5/6/11)

One of the views from our hostel. We stayed really close to the second fort I visited in OSJ. 

After showering, Pushkar, our other roomy and I head to Cafe Mallorca for breakfast where I get a guava pastry and a mallorca, both of which are delicious. We get a call saying that if we get to the airport soon, we can get a shuttle to the resort (we didn't know how we were going to get there up until now); so P and I head to get R a wedding present and grab our stuff and get a taxi to the airport where we made it just in time. P and I wind up getting our own party van to the resort which was pretty nice. 

Push and I on our bus. Dont know why they didnt relieve some of the other buses of their people but whatever. On to the resort!

Our room. Wonder what the view from the balcony is like...

Not too shabby! Some moutains in the distance with lush landscape as far as the eye can see.

Nice gift basket upon checking in. Hydration is key.

Check in and have time to check out the resort's private island so we go, and I swim to an island in the distance which is a bad idea without a snorkel/mask; I do not like the taste of saltwater. After we all hung out a bit on the island, we head back and get ready for the festivities. 

The island has its own welcome sign. Small island but very relaxing and nice.

Our boat arrived at Polomino Island (the resort's private island). Little slice of heaven.

Chess set on the island. It clearly has everything!

Dont want to play chess? Why not lay back and enjoy the view of the pristine water. That island in the distance is the one I swam to.

Dont want to relax (like my friends)? Play some volleyball.

Eat some great food, watch the performances and walk around catching up with everyone. In the process of talking with some old friends, I decided to get a henna tattoo as I have never done it before; they are usually done for the women at these get togethers but I wanted to try it. I am so impressed with these ladies' artistic ability and the definition they are able to exact on one's hand/body. 

Nice sunset from the resort. I do love sunsets!

I have found the festivities! Time to celebrate!

Me with the happy couple. Love them!

The ladies showing off their henna with a disapproving Viraj. hahaha 

After that party winds down, we go to the hospitality room for the after party. As that was winding down, I got my swimsuit on and splashed around in the pool and hot tub  before heading to bed.

Random pic from inside the secret party room.

Little fountain by the pool that flows into the pool (if I remember right). 

Puerto Rico Trip - Day 6: El Yunque and beyond! (5/5/11)

After ~5h of sleep, we get up and get to the ferry to get back to Fajardo so we can spend more time in El Yunque. Grab some breakfast and then head up El Yunque.

Beach on the drive to El Yunque. Absolutely gorgeous. 

Shopping stalls at the beach with all kinds of goods being sold. It was like a small town on the beach. 

I have found the park. This is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Forest System. 

My rented baby for the last few days. 

Little stream in the forest. Thinking of diving in. Thought otherwise as it looks shallow. 

Random rook in the middle of the forest. Lets go up to see a view. I didn't realize the people here loved chess this much. 

El Yunque from the watch tower. If someone is coming to storm the castle, I sure cant tell.

I like finding these geological survey markers on top of peaks when I hike. This one was in the rock of the tower.

Shantanu and I on top of the tower of power! 

Who doesnt like winding staircases? Trick question, everyone does!

Go over to Mt. Briton to head to the top to catch the views of the area. Then we head down to La Mina waterfall to jump in and swim around (like I said I enjoy jumping into water when I come across it); its cold of course but feels good as it is hot out.

Shantanu pointing at the coastal city of Fajardo (I believe). That is the city we took the ferry out of to Vieques and Culebra. It is also the city where we will be heading for the wedding.

La Mina! Looks nice. I wonder if I should attempt to swim in it?

We are brave souls. Swimming with Shantanu in the waterfall runoff. Nice and cold!

Nice view from inside El Yunque. Not sure what is in the distance.

All good things must come to an end :( Time to head into OSJ.

After being in the forest ~6h, we head back to drop off the car in OSJ where Trishul and them pick us up and head to the hostel. After showering, we head to Punta del Vista where I had a much better Mofongo than the first one, and a few drinks before going to senor frogs (I clearly don't learn my lesson). After a drink, I head to La Taverna Lupulo which is a small hole in the wall craft beer bar with a great selection. Have a beer, head back to say night to the guys before heading to the hostel for bed.

Just having a bite to eat with some friends from Uni.