The beach at Waikiki is so beautiful but more crowded than the one at the HaleKoa. This couple had just been married there.  That is Diamondhead in the distance. . 

Honolulu Museum of Art

  One day we took an open trolley city tour to discover the history of Honolulu. 

We 

We rode all around the city as the tour guide told us important facts about Honolulu. We went to a cemetery at the top of a hill and had a good view overlooking the city. 

We stopped and spent a few hours at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Not only did we enjoy the paintings and statuary but we also had a nice lunch there. 

The weather was consistently 83 degrees while we were there. One thing that was much different from home was that everything was open to the outside. There were no walls between the restaurants and the outdoors and birds would fly in to hunt for crumbs. 

Hanauma Bay

We couldn’t go to the ocean without trying snorkeling so Linda and I set off on a drive to Hanauma Bay. This bay was recommended to us for great snorkeling and our first stop was a gear shop to get all the equipment we would need. Being novices we were glad for a kind and understanding sales girl who set us up with masks, snorkels, fins, lifejackets, and an umbrella. 

That was a lot of equipment to carry so we were grateful to take a ride down to the bay on a tram pulled by a truck. And we were extremely grateful that they went both ways because we were too tired to carry all this up the hill after being in the water. 

When we first arrived we had to go into a building to see a safety video but the day we were there the projector was broken so we were just told a few things.

The beach was crowded and we at first tried to screw our umbrella tube down into the ground. We were obviously having trouble and some kind fellow took pity on us and helped us. But even he had a hard time getting it completely down and later we found out that it wasn’t anchored so well when the wind practically took it away and turned it inside out. 

Linda and I are not beach people and I’m sure the lifeguards were amused when they saw us trying to manage putting on our flippers in the water with the waves knocking us over all the time. We did manage to somewhat learn to float with the lifejackets and breathe properly and I did see some fish. It was not exactly like in Finding Nemo but it was a good experience. We stayed in for a while, rested and then went back in. The second time the tide was high and the winds blowing the waves in with such force that we didn’t have much luck. But all in all we tried. Not bad for a seventy four year old!

After we returned our equipment we stopped at the Malasada truck for a doughnut. There was always a line and worth waiting for. I got the custard one which tasted exactly like fried dough with a custard filling. 

The Hale Koa

The first hotel that we stayed at was the Hale Koa. Hale means house and Koa means warrior. This government run resort is exclusively for military personelle. Linda is retired DOD so we were able to stat there. It was right on Wakiki beach and had a lovely property full of tropical plants with a park next door and a walkway along the edge of the beach. 

One of our favorite spots was this gathering of lawn chairs stored here while they are creating a large pool, waterfall and lazy river. It was a great spot to sit in the shade and relax. 

Back in Bradford

I am back home after a two week vacation in Hawaii. It was a long and brutal plane ride back from Honolulu to LA to Atlanta to Richmond then an hour ride to Fredericksburg and a six and a half car ride back to Bradford the next day. This old body isn’t made for that kind of torture. I had forgotten how small those plane seats are and how still you have to sit for six hours. But the trip was worth the pain because it was amazing. 

The highlight of the trip was the Polynesian Cultural Center where we got a taste of the island people through visiting six different worlds with demonstrations, programs, and hands on activities. 

We saw different kinds of dancing at each of the islands and got a hula lesson. 

The Holo Holo

This little market was attached to the Hilton Garden Inn and provided us with drinks and food when we wanted something quick.  

Our last morning we went across the street to a little coffee place to have pastries. 

Linda got some Kona coffee to take home. 

Lots to do in Honolulu

Last night we walked over to a small grocery store by our hotel called the Pantry and there we saw a little bit of home. Zippo lighters  are made right in my hometown. 

This path to the ocean is lined with surfboards. 

Spam nuts..this is just wrong. 

This gorgeous shopping center is called the International Market and is right across from our hotel the Garden Hilton. Last night we walked down Luxury Row, the street filled with brand name stores such as Jimmy Choos.  The streets were very crowded because it had cooled down from the 86 high today and was pleasant. 

I’m still on vacation

This gorgeous ice sculpture was at the Easter buffet at the Halekoa hotel in Honolulu. Our time at the Halekoa ended today as we went to the Hilton Garden Inn. My sister will begin work...she is a contractor for the government and trains people to use a software program. She will be working for three days and I will have to find something to do. It won’t be hard. Right across the street is a huge shopping center. And there is a pool here. Here are a few more pictures from the buffet. 

The wonderful chef on the left walked me around and showed me all the foods that contained alcohol which I couldn’t have because of my Alergy. The pastry chef also came out and did the same. There was quite a bit of food I couldn’t have but much more I could. The desserts were incredible. This was my plate. I didn’t eat all this but tasted a lot. 

Bella Grace

Bella Grace magazine is so full of words that fill the soul. It is printed on heavy paper and takes time to savor. It is not a slick mag with ads popped in every few pages. It doesn’t promote products giving the price and place to buy them. It isn’t full of recipes and diets and how to’s. No, it is a simple loving magazine. Just reading it elevates your life. Page after page is filled with submissions by readers, sometimes longer articles and sometimes just a quick sentence. It is a joyful place. It requires you to relax and take your time with it. It reminds you that there are times when you just need to give yourself over to introspection. When I read through it I never want to come to the end. 

A little touch of Easter

I have so many photo apps on my iPad that I had forgotten about Hipstamatic. It is a great camera app with built in effects. This little vignette is on my hall table. I haven’t put out all my Easter decorations this year and I need to reassess about keeping all of them. When I get back from Hawaii I plan on doing a purge in the basement decoration storage room. 

   Today I woke up to snow on the ground...just a dusting but feels like we are going backward in our weather.  I will be so happy to be in 82 degrees next week. 

Here kitty

No, I didn’t get a cat. I’m cat sitting for Wendy while she and Chris are off on. Vacation to Topsail.  NC. Chris just returned from three weeks in Shanghai, China where he was working. It will be nice fo him to have a week off to play after such a long trip. This kitty is Dolly. She and Bebe are very shy even when they are at their own house but extremely wary at my house and spend almost all their time hiding under the living room couch.  They come out at night to eat and use the litter box but otherwise aren’t very friendly.  Occasionally Dolly will come out and if I have my hand hanging down will rub up against me but won’t let me pet her. 

I’ve been busy packing. It’s amazing all the things I have to take, my suitcase is filling up fast. I know I take too much but I like to have all the contingencies onhand.  When I was younger I never had to think about things to make you sleepy, upset stomachs, or dry eyes. I’m getting excited about the trip and hope that I can post updates here. 

Walk

Finally it is nice enough to go for a walk outdoors.  I enjoyed the Pitt trail yesterday.  It hasn’t started to green up yet and was only 63 degrees but it was a nice walk after our Circle of Friends luncheon.  

I have no idea

I have no idea what’s happening with my pictures and I don’t seem to be able to fix it. I’m going to stay away from blogging for a while. I will be traveling to Hawaii next week. Hopefully I can post some pictures from there.  Here..I think...is the one of Dan and Gretchen.

Dan and Gretchen

Dan and Gretchen vacationed in Florida and he caught a foul ball at a tampa Bay Rays game.