Twinkle in their Eyes!

Definitely caught a twinkle in their eyes and big smiles while Sapper and special girlfriend danced. The unit had a "deployment luau" at the Hale Koa hotel in Waikiki. The food and entertainment were excellent! Great group of soldiers!

Movies on the Beach!

Now this is the way to go to the movies! Sit in the sand or bring a lawn chair add some drinks and food and its movie night. The screen is humongous easily seen and heard. Watched a short documentary about ? - I forget so it was not memorable but the dinosaur movie - T-Rex was good. Kinda like when Godzilla ate the people on the beach then climbed..... Not really but entertaining. Check out the "Duke." This statue commemorates the hospitality and Aloha spirit of the Waikiki surfers. Aloha!

Saturday Morning Walk

I just love living in Honolulu! It may look like a concrete jungle but it is not at all. I'm staying on a high floor in the building indicated in the photo.This morning I walked through Ala Moana Park
with the beach on one side and amazing trees on the other side. I love the gnarly tree trunks, their bark tells of survival through the years. After a breakfast of Eggs Benedict Florentine, the Yacht Club fish were waiting with wagging fins. They always swim to say Hi, yet I've never seen anyone feed them. (I think my camera takes great photo's.) Sapper is surfing the big waves in from the North today. They are expected to be @ 7 ft high. Talk story later....

From colorful lei's in the window to incense, honor and alms to revered idols, Chinatown is full of wonderful sites. The history of the different families who supported each other through Associations is still present today. Have you notices I haven't mentioned shopping? That's another definite trip!

Chinatown Market

The Chinatown Tour was very interesting today. We started with historical facts centered around buildings that burnt down 3 times. Also the first Chinese in Hawaii were there to cut sandalwood trees then went home. Most interesting was to see the markets especially fish and meat market. I have no idea what these fish are or how to cook them - but there is another tour on cooking Chinese that sounds perfect for my curious pallet.

Need a Chapel?

On the Big Island at the Sheraton, this Chapel is beautiful! Notice as you look through the open door you can see through a cross to the ocean. The close-up shows it in detail. Just a beautiful location complete with a gazebo nearby. Just know its available if anyone has a wedding in mind....

Volcano Nat'l Park

Nothing stands in the way of lava, here it covered the state highway! Of course we came on a day when there was no HOT lava flows but just to see the lava landscape is amazing. The type of lava produces different textures and apparently we were too late to see the lava tube that has all 4 types - so its on my list for another visit. More on the trip later. I've just moved to Waikiki Beach and must go walk, beachcomb, whatever...

Drive around the Big Island

Who'd have guessed we'd find Elvis! Lunch at Lulu's in Kona along with hundreds of dedicated (or crazy) Ironman Triathletes. Bethany has this race as a goal in 2010! The scenic drive on the Winward side was the Big Island the way it used to live.

Big Island

The Big Island as it is called here "Hawaii" has many different climates and the evening at the Kona Sheraton was beautiful! From the view off the balcony to the pool/ocean side sunset was just perfect!
The trip was a real treat to me - Joe and Bethany "Momnapped" me here as a thank-you for watching their homes while they were training.

Sapper Home!

Most important, Sapper is home! Long day of hurry up and wait but finally home at 1am. He is hungry, tired, happy, and can't believe how green everything is here. Planning to island hop this weekend so I'll watch remaining fish (now there's a story) then move to Waikiki Monday. I'm so excited to live in a city!
Did I mention the awesome prawns from last Saturday? So unusual served on a skewer with spun crust. They were messy to eat but so delicious in Chai's at Aloha Tower. Also thanks to J1 for helping me save the other fish! RIP Isabella...

How does the sun set on both the North and South side of island? Can't figure it out but its beautiful either place. The pathway of palms to the Aloha Tower makes for a grand entrance when arriving by boat. The harbor is like a used car lot - boats, ships of every kind and in various conditions. The one behind me is Coast Guard. Anyone need a ship? Anyone want a ship?

Ships and more Ships

Aloha Tower is the area for debarking cruise, and dinner ship passengers. Their vastness amazes me and their parking rivals J1's boat docking abilities. Would I like to sail the seven seas? Maybe on a calm ocean.....