13th day of our vacation - 12-28-15

Monday, December 28, 2015. 

 Another day that we didn't rush out and we went for a shorter drive. We needed to be back early to get ready for our friend's wedding later in the afternoon.  

It was lunchtime and we stopped at a shopping center called the Princeville Center.  The figures above were printed on a sun shade hanging over the windows of a nearby restaurant, one that we didn't go into.  There were several little restaurants and we stopped at one that didn't have any seating inside but there was a central food court.  

We shared a plate lunch (not fancy and served on a Styrofoam plate) of shrimp on the bed of chopped cabbage, two mounds of rice and candied walnuts on the top.  It was very pleasant, with yet more chickens running around our feet, this time with little chickens, not quite babies but still very small and very cute.  No photos, they just kept moving really fast.  There was also a post office where I mailed off a couple of cards and postcards. 

We drove over one of the single lane bridges and the way it works is, as a courtesy you let 5 to 7 cars through and then you are supposed to stop, so that the other side can do the same.  We got a loud blast of a horn once as we followed No. 7, before we realized the rules of these single lane bridges.  Sorry guys, new to the island and of course we saw the sign after the fact.  

1.43 p.m. I saw eight wild pigs in the middle of a field. They are not the kind with tusks but looked like large pigs of a very dark color.  No photos, just for the memory.

It is our friend's wedding today. About a month after we had booked our holiday, Gregg was chatting to his sister and she told him her friend was getting married in Kauai, and that she and her family would be going.  We were delighted as we have also known this friend for many years.  She and my sister-in-law met when they were in kindergarten, and she is very much more like a member of the family.  When Gregg asked her the dates, she told him it was the week after Christmas, when we would actually be in Kauai.  

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I am writing this the next day (29th) at 3.42 a.m.  Once again I have not been able to sleep, running everything through my head from yesterday. Our friend's wedding ceremony was incredible and just about one of the most romantic I have attended.  It was held on the beach and performed by the loveliest man, a local minister.  The bride and groom said their vows with the sound of the surf behind them.  She wore a wreath of flowers in her hair and a lei around her neck and was a beautiful bride.  An unexpected guest arrived, a sea turtle was spotted in the surf on its way to the shore.  

After their ceremony she  asked if Gregg and I, along with my sister-and-brother-in-law, would like to have our marriage blessed, which showed the great generosity of spirit our friend has always had.  My sister-and-brother-in-law also celebrated their anniversary the day after our own. The six of us joined hands on that beautiful beach as the minister blessed our marriage.

There were close family members who flew in from the mainland, one of whom was the photographer. The lighting was perfect at that time of the day, not sunset but definitely a golden glow casting that special light. A very moving ceremony that was absolutely perfect.  

Afterwards we walked to the hotel for the wedding reception, and we had a wonderful evening. We also had a truly delicious meal, a beautiful presentation, and the staff couldn't have been nicer.  

The evening finally ended and we said our goodbyes. The next time we see everyone will be on the mainland.  A very special day and one that will always be remembered.  

If you missed any of my daily journals and would like to catch up, I am sharing their links below.

Oahu

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Kauai

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12th day of our vacation - 12-27-15

(Continuing my daily journal from our vacation)

Sunday, December 27th, 2015

We woke up to see the sunrise this morning and it was a sight to behold.  There are birds walking around, one was a Pacific Plover.

At 1.15 p.m. a lady came by and dropped off a  container of orchids, a gift from the owners.  A very nice touch we thought, and the orchids lasted the whole time we were there.  

We did not rush out today but finally we made our way to the car.  We got into a conversation with a lady in the parking lot.  She was staying with her daughter and a friend.  Nice lady who lived on Oahu.

We then drove to Waimea Canyon.  It had amazing views and we saw a waterfall, Waipo'o Falls, in the distance.  Very popular with the tourists as there were a lot of people at the overlooks.

We stopped by the food-drink truck that was set up in the visitor parking lot.  

So many interesting items we enjoyed checking out.  We picked up a couple of steamed buns with pork for a quick lunch, one called Kalua pig and the other Cha Siu pork.  

Like stepping back several years as we used to buy them when we lived in California.  

7.17 p.m.  We have just spent a few hours with Gregg's sister and her husband.  We met them at their condo and they took us to a restaurant nearby.  

Lunch was no longer being served but we were still able to order appetizers and soup, and drinks.  Sister-in-law had a Mojito, I had a Bellini.....

and the boys ordered beer.  

The restaurant was open to the outside and the views were of the ocean.  It was a big snorkeling and surfing area, very pretty.

  After lunch they took us down a dirt road.  My sister-in-law wanted to show us the stables where she and friends had gone riding the day before...  

This is the trail they took on the horses....

which ended at a real pretty beach.

but to get there we took one of the bumpiest rides I have ever had, with the deepest potholes filled with water from the rains.  

It was the most fun ride and the experience was a hoot.  We laughed all the way there and all the way back, though I thought my head was in danger of dropping off.  Gregg was worried I was going to hit my head on the passenger window, as I bobble-headed pretty close at times.  But though I didn't see stars, I did see the most beautiful rainbow, for real.  It was a fun end to our day.

Tomorrow we attend our friends wedding ceremony on the beach.



If you missed any of my daily journals and would like to catch up, I am sharing their links below.

Oahu

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Page 10


Kauai

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11th day of our vacation - in Kauai - 12-26-15

Saturday, December 26th, 2016 - Boxing Day

It is 12.34 p.m. and we are out on the lanai.  I found a studio condo rental and it has the most gorgeous view of the ocean.  There is surf rolling in and people on surfboards are trying their luck with the waves.  They are way out there.  We can also see two people just floating, their heads bobbing up and down and disappearing as each wave rolls in.  The sound of the surf is loud and we love it.  

There are two palm trees to our left and a smaller tree to our right and we spot a couple of birds but could not identify them.  Every now and again a Cattle Egret visits.  They are a welcome sight.  

It has been rainy but now the sun is shining and it is blessedly warm and comfortable.

We managed to get out of our hotel in Waikiki at 6.15 a.m. as planned.  I didn't sleep very well, too many things running through my head, but I don't feel tired at all.  Our plane took off at Honolulu Airport a little after 9.00 a.m. and it was a short flight, only half an hour.  

When Kauai came into view it was exciting to see it and I was glad that I had a seat by the window.

We hopped onto the shuttle to the car rental and three friendly and chatty New Zealand lads started talking to us as they sat opposite.  They were off to Maui after spending a few days here.

When picking our car up we were hoping to check into our accommodations early but the office hadn't opened yet.  They kept normal working hours so realized this is not like checking into a hotel where you could do so no matter what time it was.  

We decided to get some breakfast and stopped at a restaurant not too far up the road.  It was very nice inside and we enjoyed looking at our surroundings.

By the time we got back the office was open, and we spoke to a very nice young lad who gave us what we needed.  It wasn't long before we found ourselves at our home-away-from home for the next seven days.

We are very pleased with this place for even though it is small, it is a great little studio with a full kitchen and a bathroom with a shower.  

The owners of the condo saw to it that it was equipped with everything we would need,  It had a lovely sitting area....

and something that I have never experienced before, a Murphy Bed. 

The mattress was the most comfortable one we had ever slept on.  We would pull it down every night, and put it back every morning.  If we were too tired we would leave it down, but that didn't happen too often.  

When I booked up eight months ago this was the only unit left.  I noticed that many of the units had regular beds but this one had the Murphy Bed.  I wasn't sure as I had never slept on one but Gregg said he had no problem with that, and we booked the studio.  And when I saw how close it was to the water, that sealed it. Also I had read the reviews online and they were all very positive. During our holiday I also read the guest book and people had been coming back to this particular unit for years, one couple had booked up for their holidays the next two years. Each condo is individually owned and decorated but looked after by an agency.  

One funny thing happened when we first opened the door.  Gregg stopped me in my tracks and pointed as a tiny lizard ran up the wall and disappeared behind a painting.  It was very nice of him to welcome us but we didn't see him for the rest of our stay.  I kept looking for him but didn't have to worry about lizard photos as there were a couple of them.... 

and they visited the lanai every day.  This little green guy is called a Gold dust day gecko, and you can read about him here.

There is an iron rail fence in front of the property where we park our car, but it is covered with the most lush, green and red foliage which is dotted with yellow hibiscus flowers.

They put on quite a show for us, perfect!

We are meeting up with Gregg's sister, husband and son tonight.  We are to meet at a hotel at seven.

(This is one of the prints on the wall of the condo.)

Gregg pulled the Murphy Bed down for a snooze.  Rolls reversed today I am sitting out on the lanai on one of the lounge chairs, listening to the surf and taking in the view again.  It is sunny at 2.03 p.m. 

I have been reading the guest book that goes back a couple of years and as I said before, several people have have been coming back year after year.  Two couples in particular, Canadians and another from Washington State.  They gave glowing reviews.As I look around the condo it has a lot of the old world charm that we love so much, very prettily decorated in a tropical theme.

Before we left to meet up with the family, we went for a ride.  Gregg stopped at one of the overlooks where the marker said that whales and spinner dolphins could be seen.

We couldn't spot any but did meet a nice lady who stopped beside us as she was reversing, and chatted through her passenger window as we got out of our car.  She came from Pennsylvania originally, had been here for years, had a daughter living on Kauai and another two daughters living on Oahu.  

At 6.30 p.m. we met up with Gregg's sister, husband and her youngest son, and had a very nice evening with them.  We had missed their oldest son by a couple of days as he had to return to the mainland for work.  We left when it was time to take their son to the airport, as he also had to fly home for work.  

When we got back we pulled the Murphy Bed down, and went to sleep with the sound of the surf in our ears.  No problems sleeping tonight.


If you missed any of my daily journals, I am sharing their links below.

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10th day of our vacation -12-25-15 - Christmas Day in Waikiki

Friday -  Christmas Day 2015

When I woke up I sent my niece a text with some photos, and wished her and her husband a Merry Christmas. There is about a ten hour time difference and I am never sure what time it will be over there. I was delighted when she called up on FaceTime immediately after I sent the text and we had such a wonderful chat with everyone, which included my brother-in-law, my niece's Dad.  I love being actually to see them.  It amazed me that there we were sitting in a hotel room in the middle of the Pacific, and they are all the way over in Europe.  The connection is great and it is like we are sitting in the same room.  

We had also sent photos to our son who was spending the day with our daughter-in-law's parents back home. Great to chat with him too and it was a busy day for them.  We have planned to get together on our return for a postponed Christmas Day Dinner together.  We both missed being with them as this is the first time in many years that we have not celebrated Christmas together.  

Today we had the longest walk along Waikiki Beach.  We started out by stopping off at our little cafe for breakfast and yes, everything is open, even the Barefoot Bar. 

Christmas breakfast was Portuguese sausage, scrambled eggs and underneath that tater tots, with a layer of melted cheese on the top!  I also had half a papaya with a squeeze of lime juice. My favorite fruit right now. 

Then we walked to the beach and turned left towards the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. 

You can no longer go through the beach gate onto their terrace, hotel guests only. Pity, and am a little disappointed because there was lots of seating available.  

That last time a lady danced a most graceful hula on the terrace.  She wore a sea blue muumuu designed with a pretty tropical flower pattern of white plumeria, a lei draped around her neck and a matching crown of flowers in her hair. 

There were also three musicians accompanying her, playing melodic Hawaiian music.  The Hula is a very graceful way of telling a story and the lady had a very elegant style of dancing, moving in a soft, slow, fluid motion.  A wonderful memory. 

(I found this great vintage poster online)

It came to a point where we reached the end of the walkway and had to take the steps down to the sand. We got our exercise as our feet dug down and we began to get a vigorous workout.  We walked a long way before we found an alleyway that took us up to the street.  In the alley it was lined with 'parked' surf boards.  

Duke Kahanamoku's statue wasn't too much further along and I finally had my opportunity to take more photos. We stopped for a smoothie at an outdoor kiosk which was right next to the Honolulu Police Station.

We stopped at Duke's statue and got our photos, along with several other tourists...

many of whom were waiting in line to get their photos taken with him.  

We saw a bride and groom getting their photos taken and spotted another going into the Ala Moana Hotel.  It was lovely watching the wedding party as they made their way down the boulevard.

We were making our way back and eventually reached Fort Derussy Park, where we sat on a wall in the shade of the trees.  We enjoyed watching people and the local birds. It is hot but Gregg always loves the heat and can stand the humidity. I just wilt like a lettuce and that hasn't changed in 40 years, but no I am not moaning.  I am enjoying myself way too much to worry about it and it had been a lovely walk.  

One last time for this trip, we reached the steps in front of the hotel and made our way up to the top. The coffee shop was open and I stopped for a latte.  There are always white doves walking around hoping for a crumb.  We have become accustomed to them and actually welcome the sight of them.

One who had landed not too far from my feet had a grand prize of a cheese cracker someone had dropped.  A sparrow flew down from its perch and quickly grabbed it between its beak.  Even though the cracker was twice its size it flew off without effort. Another guest had been watching and we both laughed.  The dove stopped in its tracks for a moment, looked at the departing sparrow and his disappearing cheese cracker, and then went back to scurrying along the ground looking for another crumb.  Alas there were no more cheese crackers. 

We made our way up to the room and after resting for an hour walked down to the Barefoot Bar.  Our nightly excursions have been very enjoyable. A perfect location on the beach, and after a day of sightseeing there were the incredible sunsets.  It's been fun to people watch and listen to the live music while sipping a cocktail, and talk about our day.  Tonight Gregg went to the snack bar and bought popcorn shrimp and fries. Not our usual Christmas fare but it suited us fine.

When we reached our room we repacked our suitcases.  We have decided to leave the hotel at 6.15 the following morning.  Our flight to Kauai is at 9.03 a.m. but we have to drop off our rental car first.  I shall be sad to leave. We have had a wonderful time, and I realize we are in our fish bowl of holiday euphoria, but everyone seems to smile and many say Merry Christmas as you walk by.  I read recently that Hawaii is at the top of the list for the happiest people and I can well believe it. We met warm and friendly people every day.

Even though our time on Oahu is coming to a close, we are eager for the second part of our vacation to begin.  Kauai is an island that is new to us.  

One last look at the night scenes from our balcony. One last look at the giant Christmas Tree all lit up and perched on the top of the crane, on top of the roof of the new hotel being built down the road. We say goodbye to the little doves who have visited us daily.  They are out of sight and safely secure between the branches in the tree tops, reserving their energy for competing with the sparrows the next day.  

We hopped into bed, put the lights out and went to sleep, with the alarm set for 5.15 a.m.

If you missed the previous posts and would like to read them, you can click on the links below.

Part 1

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

Part 8
Part 9