BACK FROM DAYTONA BEACH

We left for Daytona Beach on MONTY, Juan Pablo's boat, a beautiful 86 foot Azimut that can reach speeds of 45 knots. Since we had a sensible captain, we did not try to go at full speed. We did reach 35 knots at times, but it felt so smooth! We stopped the first night at Ft. Pierce, half way to Daytona and continued on the next day. The entire two weeks we were there, we had cool weather, between 38 and 70 F. My nephew was staying at the track in his motorhome, and we stayed at the port on the boat. There were many gorgeous yachts there belonging to team owners and other race drivers, so there were lots of events pretty much every evening. We were able to spend a lot of time with Sebastian and Paulina, and at times, they spent the night on the boat with us. I guess I could say that I was playing "grandmother" and loved every minute of it.

The Nascar scene is very different from F1, in the sense that it is very fan oriented and very friendly. The spectacle is incredibly colorful, and we were truly amazed at the fact that for the 500 Miles there wasn't an empty seat on the grandstands that hold close to 200,000 people. Juan Pablo finished 19th, a good place for his first race. There were a lot of accidents, and he managed to avoid being hit. It was a very good race.

We had been to Disney World with the children the first week and had a great time. We were able to do a few rides and see one of the parades. The Monday after the race, it was Connie's birthday, so we went to Animal Kingdom for the day. It was Presidents Day, so there were long lines and crowds, but we all enjoyed ourselves very much. It is great to see the children's reactions to the animals and the characters at the park. We stayed in Orlando for the night after having gone out to dinner, and the next day went shopping at a great outlet center there. While the women shopped, the men played miniature golf. Around 2:00 PM, Juan Pablo and the family left for Miami by car, and Pablo, Libia, Bill and I, returned to Daytona where we picked up the boat to go back to Miami.

The return trip was wonderful, the weather great, and all and all the whole time away was fantastic. The day we got back, Libia found out her mother was going to have surgery, so she had to leave for Colombia the next day. Luckily all went well with her surgery, she is recovering, and Libia will be back on Wednesday. Pablo has been a bit under the weather, but I have been taking good care of him. Today he has been feeling well all day, so I guess he has turned the corner.

Today, Saturday, we watched the Fontana, California Busch race. Juan Pablo's car was disabled by a car that lost control. His was not handling well since the qualifying, so he would not have had a good finish anyway. Tomorrow is the Nextel Cup race, and we hope he does well. Our son Ian is at the race this weekend and having a great time. Next weekend there is a Busch race in Mexico City to where Pablo and Libia will go. Upon their return, we will be leaving for The Bahamas on their catamaran. We are supposed to be gone for 3-4 weeks, so we will see how it goes. We are truly looking forward to it.

Our friends Gail and Dale from California will be arriving this coming Tuesday, so we are getting together with them here in Miami, and are very excited to see them again.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!


Christmas in Briare


The Montoyas in front of cottage in Briare


Paula on her wedding day


Paula and Rodrigo, newlyweds


JPM at 24 Hrs of Daytona


JPM and Sebastian giving autographs


Sebastian, Paulina and grandma


Paulina at rest


At the Daytona 500


JPM with Chip and Felix


A relaxing moment before the race


Sebastian with mom and uncle Michael


Libia and Sylvia on Pit Row


Nicholas Cage, race fan


Monty leaving port at Daytona Beach


Beautiful Florida Sunset


Valentina's first birthday


Sebastian


Our apt. is in 4th bldg from left on the water


El Mico

BACK IN MIAMI

Upon my arrival in Miami, I was met by Bill at the airport from where we drove to my brother's house so I could quickly repack a suitcase for a five day trip. We drove that very afternoon north to Daytona Beach for the 24 Hours of Daytona, race that my nephew would be racing. The drive was about five hours, so we were rather tired upon our arrival at the hotel, across from the race track. After a good night sleep, we got up early to get the race credentials for the weekend. The Thursday before the race there were practices by all three drivers, so we spent the day watching the practices and enjoying the track. On Friday, Juan Pablo had the day off, so my brother, sister in law and the two of us, spent the day sightseeing, looking for a marina where we could tie their boat for the following race, the Daytona 500. Juan Pablo's wife and children arrived on Friday evening along with Catalina and her baby girl, so Libia and I spent a lot of time with them the rest of the weekend. They are the best behaved little ones, and the most adorable. It was a great weekend and a very exciting one. Juan Pablo and his two codrivers won the race. Between 12:30 AM and 4:30 AM JP drove in the rain and when he gave the car to his codriver, he was one lap ahead of everyone else. It was a great accomplishment, since there were only 3 cars that finished on the same lap.

Sunday afternoon, we drove back to Miami and decided to stay with Pablo and Libia instead of going to our friends The Azpiazus. Reason being, the fact that we are going to the Daytona 500 ( Juan Pablo's first NASCAR race ) this coming Tuesday, and are taking JP's boat, where we are going to stay. Upon our return, we will be sailing to the Bahamas on Pablo's catamaran, and will probably be there until the beginnig of March. We are all very excited because this will be their first long trip. Pablo and Bill have been preparing the boat to have it in shape for the long journey.

The weather in Miami has been cool and dry. It is definetely the best time of the year in this part of the world, and we are very much enjoing it.

IN COLOMBIA AGAIN

After we winterized the boat, we left Briare and took a train to Brussels from where we flew to the U.S.A together. Bill flew from Atlanta to Miami, and I continued on to Bogota for my niece's wedding on January 13. It was a beautiful affair which took place at an old Hacienda on the outskirts of Bogota, There were around 200 people and the reception was fabulous. It had great food, music and a lot of ambiance. The bride was gorgeous, and a great time was had by all.

My stay in Bogota was totally relaxing. I spent lots of time with my mom and my sisters and enjoyed the good weather. It was a fabulous two-week vacation for me, but Bill was getting anxious for me to get back, so the 24 I arrived back in Miami to join him.