The general spring season was one that provided many with a fair amount of enjoyment, particularly for those coming out of winter. Of course, various parts of the northern US were still getting a fair amount of more winter-like weather, but that remained something that no one had been able to control. It was something that had gotten Lexia to volunteer herself and Miles to handle some of the on-site reporting for Spring Break and some of the things that went on at some of Animalia's colonies. The break was a chance to allow Lexia to get some time in a warm spot without missing school to do it, and since major breakthroughs with either Horizon's research into various other projects that related to the Animalia Virus, providing some updates on things would work out quite well for them with timing, and Mieni was a tropical island. She said goodbye to Miles after they landed at Mieni and before he hen departed for Australia, and she was soon joined by his parents, David and Louise.
"Have you ever been here before?" Lexia asked to them while hefting weight of not just her personal baggage, but the cameras and stands that would be needed for her coverage over the course of the week.
"I don't think so," David said slowly, "generally, our work for Joanne is a pretty twenty-four seven thing and isn't something that can easily be dodged. Joanne's been kinder to her staff than some employers with their own servants... but that doesn't mean we can easily get time off."
"Yes, her mansion requires a fairly large amount of daily work to keep it clean and in order for any big parties that she may have... some of which may be bigger now that she's married again," Louise added, "but we did get some time off for the week, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to see new places... and it will be interesting to see on how I handle salt water on my skin."
"But don't dolphins live in the ocean?" Lexia wondered.
"I'm an Amazon River Dolphin Animalian," Louise answered with a smile, "they swim in freshwater... particularly the Amazon River."
"Oh," Lexia blinked and then nodded, "interesting..."
They then made their way into the main hotel and found Ran and Gaz manning the front desk at the moment. Despite the large triangular teeth, both Great White Shark Animalians were fairly friendly and capable, which also put Lexia at ease, as this trip was really the first time she'd gone on a trip where Animalia Ambassadoria coverage was actually a big part of the trip. Lexia had simply volunteered for that trip because Mieni was warm. Ran even asked a few questions on the project.
"So, you're doing Animalia Ambassadoria's "spring break" coverage?" Ran asked to Lexia while going over the reservations that had been arranged for it.
"Pretty much, as it would be a way to get away from some of the colder and wet weather in Lyre/Animalia at present," Lexia commented, "and by wet... I mean rain and snow... sometimes a rain/snow mix."
"Well... things are better here at the moment," Ran chuckled, "though you won't get too many "new" sorts of things... The "Spring Break" timeframe runs about the same way as it does every year. People come to enjoy beach volleyball, swimming, and various other related things, and Animalian visitors often stick to them the most."
"And non Animalians?" Lexia asked curiously.
"With Spring Break, they're mostly college students who are often gawking at the Animalians, hoping a female bounces out of her bikini or a male has an erection bigger than his shorts can handle," Ran chuckled, "occasionally some go on the nature tours to see where the sea turtles lay their eggs on the south side of this island in the atoll, or some of the other museums here... though a lot of them may also be doing that to look to the Animalians working there."
"That sounds like what a lot of tourists to in Lyre/Animalia... and supposedly what Lyre natives even do at the Meat Market," Lexia said with chuckle.
"It's part of what drives many things," Ran shrugged, "and thankfully, most have been respectful enough not to cause trouble... and those that have were too drunk to pose a threat, even if they could otherwise cope with the Animalian's strength."
"For me it'd be flight," Lexia countered, "I can get away... and I was thinking on doing some aerial shots of the atoll, as I don't think Animalia Ambassadoria's done that. I don't think even the original crew did that..."
"I don't think Sophie or Roland did that... though, Mieni didn't have any major changes during the time that they were still on Animalia Ambassadoria and she and her bond mate became Pterodactylus Dinotopians," Ran commented, "in this some air shots of Mieni might be great."
"It'd be great," Lexia nodded.
Ran nodded and reached under the disk and then presented Lexia with a small map. Lexia noted the small islands forming the ring of islands that formed the atoll. Lexia could even see the various buildings and features that came from Mieni Atoll's facilities, including everything that was on the main island with its main Horizon offices and the medical center, the two museums, the hotel that Lexia was presently in. There was also things like the island for "Muscle Beach" and various other sites, and there were various note cards that also identified things that related other sites to see.
"While you're doing your filming," Ran spoke and then pointed to one of the islands that was practically opposite the lagoon from where they were now, "DON'T film over this island... and probably don't even fly over it... That island is our "nude" island. It allows for Animalians that have mates enjoy some private time outside... and even some young Human couples have taken advantage of it. We don't want to jeopardize their privacy there."
"Of course," Lexia nodded.
Ran also pointed to another set of islands that were to the west of the nude island, "and we have one new project coming up that will be fitting an old cruise liner between these two islands as part of our own increasing population. That has a bunch of engineers and construction crews building a sort of cradle that will be set up there for the ship. Once it's ready, we'll sail the ship onto the cradle and then lift it up. It'd keep it out of the water and helping keep the ship clean. In this, while you're doing the flight... you may want to give those workmen a wide room to work."
"I think I'm also going to go over the liner, as I saw one that was parked on your harbor when our plane came in, and there weren't any other ships visiting," Lexia commented.
"That'd be the ship," Ran gave a nod, "our top scientist and his wife are scheduled to get a close look at it to see on the work done."
Lexia again nodded and knew what to fly over. Interviewing Mieni's top scientists might be something worth covering with regard to the main new development at Mieni.