Day one in Sanya begins.  We sleep really late, then move out to the balcony and enjoy the view of Yalong Bay and the South China Sea.  Breakfast is next.  I’ve been planning for months to really go to work on the breakfast buffet, and it doesn’t disappoint.  There are so many fresh fruits and juices available in Sanya, why do I spend so much time going after the bacon, sausage, eggs, and pastries.

After our late breakfast we scout out the property.  It’s gorgeous!  So many tropical plants and trees throughout, and the landscaping is immaculate.  The beach is really nice, and we relax a little, enjoying the view.  After our naps on the beach we head back inside, and kill some time before the tree lighting ceremony.

There is a big Christmas tree in the lobby and the official “lighting” ceremony is tonight.  There is food, warm drinks (not as necessary in the tropics as it might be in a more northern locale), and a choir made up of hotel employees.  They make a valid attempt at some Xmas carols.  We try to enjoy the food, but they way people were swarming it, you would have thought it was the last food on earth.

I thought I might have trouble sleeping tonight, after all the relaxing and napping.  I was wrong!  We zonk out early.  We’re still programmed from Beijing.