Join Us at Hafla 2016
October 24 - 26, 2016
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa.
My wife, Christien, and I are looking forward to welcoming all annuitants to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula for the Hafla 2016 reunion.
The room reservation system for the Hyatt Regency, Monterey venue location has been active on-line since mid-January and annuitant response has been exceptionally good. The registration brochure, which includes the mandatory two dinner/two breakfast package, along with the details for the scheduled customary bridge, golf, and Simulate Sports events, is accessible on the Aramco ExPats website.
Clarification on Registration Fee Refunds:
The published registration packet notes that the registration payment is non-refundable.
This restriction was intended to provide some protection for the reunion hosts who solely bear the financial liability for guaranteeing minimum room reservations and food/beverage commitments to the venue hotel, the Hyatt Regency Monterey.
Registration refunds indeed will be provided to those attendees who need to cancel their participation because of unforeseen reasons, e.g., medical situations, through September 23, 2016. The hosts will retain $50/registrant to cover the fixed costs associated with the reunion. After September 23, it is planned that no refunds will be provided. Your understanding is appreciated.
Download 2016 Hafla Registration Packet
Sign up for the Excursion Activities!
Whale Watching Tour
At-sea, local whale watching departing from the Monterey Bay wharf. Humpback whales in particular, and other species, are typically seen transiting between northern US to Baja Mexico waters for birthing. Busing will be provided from the Hyatt to the reserved boat(s) at the wharf. Trained marine biologist(s)/naturalists will be aboard to describe the activities and answer questions.
Tour 17-Mile Drive
A tour of 17 Mile Drive inside Pebble Beach. The tour, by guided-bus, will pass many houses built by prominent Californians over the last century and located above the majestic, rocky coastline. Short stops at notable locations, such as the Pebble Beach Lodge, Seal Rock and the spectacular Cypress Point lookout, are planned. A possible, short visit to the Big Sur coastal/redwood area may be added to this tour.
Tour Movie Location Sites
A tour of movie location sites in Monterey, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. This tour, also by guided-bus, will visit and describe the local filming sites of many iconic Hollywood movies and their iconic actors and actresses, such as Marilyn Monroe, Edward G. Robinson, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
A shuttle bus will be run to the Monterey Bay Aquarium located on Cannery Row and directly on Monterey Bay. With the original construction funded by the Packard Foundation in 1984, at the site of a defunct sardine cannery, the Aquarium is consistently ranked among the top aquariums in the world. It was the first aquarium to exhibit a great white shark and one of the few to include both bluefin and yellowfin tuna. Otters and penguins are also a permanent attraction at the Aquarium.
Wine Country Tour
A shuttle trip to nearby Carmel Valley to visit a number of wine tasting rooms operated by Monterey County vineyards. Monterey County and the Central Coast American Viticulture Area (AVA), the largest in the state, are major grape wine producers in California. The warmer, sea coast climate present in much of the area is especially favorable for varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, considered to be the heritage grape in the county’s southern, Paso Robles sub-AVA.
Details on these activities will be finalized and available shortly in an upcoming Aramco Expats Highlights & Notices issue.
PS: We encourage anyone interested in volunteering to be the Chairperson for the bridge event to call us at 831-643-0438 or 831-236-8601. Thanks.
Christien and Rob Petrie