Back To Work ?

Well the vacation was the best, but it's time to hit the road, ( ok air ) . Back to Sydney 2/24/09 through 2/28/09. Sydney is my favorite city to visit The layover in Sydney is at the Novotel on Darling Harbor. Lucky me, it's a great place and location  and after thirty years of domestic flying I must say, I'm a lucky boy. Looking at this picture of the Novotel, just to the right of the hotel, actually about a block, is a marine museum and the home of the The Endeavor or I should say a replica, This ship actually gives me the chills because it brings history to the present. This was captain Cook's ship and he covered the world on it. My hats off to those boys. Today I'm going to breakdown and spend the 15 bucks and check out the museum this also get you on the Endeavor ( my real motivation ) .

Well, I'm back from a visit to the Endeavor (wow so cool ) so for now I think I'll let a few pictures do the talking.

  Ok, a quick word about this shot. The hole you see In the railing,Ya that's where you do your business. That has to be where the term in front of of God and everybody came from.

  O God, I guess I can't let the pictures do the talking. those  rope tassels that hold up the tables are used for napkins ( of course I mean serviettes ).

 

 

 

http://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=457

Wed, Feb 11

Aloha one last time! (that only means by saying this we will be back again soon)  Early morning get up after a good night's sleep.  Downstairs for an 0545 pickup - delightful driver!  Arrived  HNL at daybreak - another beautiful day here.  Life is good - two 1st class seats together.  A very comfortable 4 hour 30 minute flight - wonderful flight attendants - so personable, professional, and older :)  A dinner at SFO and then seats together in coach to SEA. 

An incredible trip - got on all trips planned on, sunshine. a great Aloha spirit, especially on the North Shore, Renewed, refreshed, ready to take on life's challenges; the ultimate goal of any great vacation!  We wish Rob and Diana the same!!

Tuesday, Feb 10

Aloha!  Wow a real downpour last night - had to get up and close the slider, as the water was "bouncing in" it was hitting with such force.  After delicious Kona coffee this am, packing up, and saying goodbye to Chester and Garfield, we departed the studio and breakfasted one last time at the Hukilau cafe - great veggie omelettes.  Then headed down the road south toward Honolulu - such lush green scenery and beautiful coastline.  We stopped at Kualoa Park for a view of Chinaman's Hat and to stretch our legs. Beautiful sunny day w/ intermittent showers.  Met two Asian ladies who came to attend a wedding and were from "Jersey!"  (We expected them to say they were from Japan!) We arrived in Honolulu and made our way to the Marine Surf to drop our bags.  Checked in and made a mad dash to return the car rental so would not be charged another day - went off w/o directions, but made it in time.  Took the bus back to town from the airport.  We phoned Rob and Diana Home from the bus stop to wish them well on their journey here tomorrow, only to find out they had 3 inches of snow and the roads were treacherous!   We of course wished them a safe journey and kept them in our thoughts.  During our long bus ride we sat behind and started visiting w/ a delightful young (20) woman from Buenos Aires.  She had dark blond hair, brown sparkling eyes which were very expressive, a beautiful smile, and we chatted a long time.  She was traveling w/ friends who had stayed on Maui, and she came over to Oahu to explore.  She is later coming to the West Coast to visit relatives in Sacramento and then on to Berkley to check out UC Berkley to decide whether to continue her education there in psychology.  Her dad is a lawyer in Argentina, as are two out of her three brothers.  Her next trip she would like to be to Thailand. Of course we thought of Adam and John :) and gave her our email in case she made it north to Seattle.  She also gave us her email.

We made it back to the hotel and headed to Waikiki for one last swim in the far Pacific.  It was pretty funny to observe the contrast between the North Shore and Waikiki where we sometimes were the only ones on the beach vs people everywhere.  We established our space much like one occupies a parking space someone just vacates, but front row to the surf and yes, the wonderful warm blue waters and nice waves today!  Bill and I agreed it felt a little safer (perhaps no sharks?) w/ so many others in the water.  Chatted w/ a nice couple from Vancouver BC who it turned out were both city cops - they were delightful, in their low 30s and already contemplating the challenges of the Olympics.   We tore ourselves away from the water and the beach, regrouped at the hotel, and set out just in time for sunset at the Ala Moana terrace and a Mai Tai.  What a fitting farewell to Hawaii and very familiar after out stay last year.  Then off to Cheeseburger in Paradise for dinner -  Bill had a long-awaited cheeseburger and I a salad w/fresh grilled Mahi - excellent!  Watched  a full moon on the lania over Honolulu and then bedtime!

 

 

 

Monday, Feb 9

Aloha!  After an early bedtime, awoke at 5 am and after coffee walked to the end of the street (Laie Point) for sunrise - nothing too spectacular, but wonderful morning air and never tire of watching the waves smash against the rocks.  Breakfasted on fresh papaya and pineapple, English muffins, and orange marmalade.  After communal time with Chester and Garfield on the lanai, Bill and I walked down to our beach for some morning sun.  A snack lunch, then snooze time - Bill on the bed, Rob on the lounge on the lower lanai - savoring our last day in Laie.  We then rallied and made a last trip north to Laniakea Beach to check for basking sea turtles. Yes! Today a 35-year old female was there snoozing in the sunshine. Such amazing creatures to see (life span is apx 80 years!)

We then walked along this most beautiful beach, enjoying the warm sunshine (was overcast when we left Laie and we were delighted to find the sun again on the northwest shore).  We then ventured on a road upcountry to the hillside overlooking Sunset Beach area - pretty amazing view, very windy roads, and some very nice homes.  We then motored down, arriving at Ted's Bakery 5 minutes before closing for great beef teriyaki and teriyaki burger.  On the way back to Laie we ran into a downpour as has happened before on this stretch of road.  Home again, listening to the sound of the waves one last night and saying goodnight to the boys, Chester and Garfield (two of our fav kitty-cats).  Tomorrow we head for Waikiki for one last night before returning home - the loads were pretty heavy tomorrow, so have extended our vacation for one more day - YES!

Sunday, Feb 8

Aloha!  Laie turns into a ghost town on Sunday, as no businesses are allowed to be open according to the wishes of BYU (Brigham Young University).  So we motored north in the sunshine in search of breakfast and ended up at Ted's Bakery - chatted with a mom with 3 little kids who lives here - very cute, but they and their friends scattered when I tried to take a pic!  After breakfast we  went to the "turtle beach,"  but none were basking this morning.  Stopped at Foodland in Sunset Beach (a really nice grocery store) for dinner supplies and then stopped  in at the Waimea Beach Park, a lovely quiet park with trees for shade and picnic tables and a beautiful beach - seemed like a nice family beach.  Then headed south for a relaxing afternoon at "home."  Felt good to bask in the sun on the lounge chairs on the lower lanai reading and then later on, on our beach - Bill went snorkeling and saw some Angel fish, and other colorful fish around a small coral reef.  Dinner in tonight - pork ribs marinated in Hawaiin teriyaki sauce and a simple salad - early to bed after our big outing yesterday!  Beautiful full moon :)

Saturday, Feb 7

What a start to another incredible day in paradise!  We walked to the other end of the street, coffee cups in hand to theoretically watch the sunrise - we were a little late for that, but still a great way to begin the day.  No whales sited, but a crew of Saturday fishermen out on the rocks. The air here is so fresh and clean and warm :)  As I was back sitting on the lanai looking down at the beach I witnessed a very touching moment; a gentleman and young boy both dressed in white, followed by a procession of family and friends all barefoot coming down a path to the beach.  The sun was shining and no one else was on the beach.  The gentleman took the young boy's hand and together they walked into the water.  After a minute or so the young boy was submerged and popped back up, his young life forever changed.  Together they walked out of the water, and there was mama onshore waiting with an outstretched towel to which the young boy eagerly ran . They all quietly walked back up the path.  One of life's sweet moments. 

Time for a little housekeeping.  I went to the Laundromat while Bill stayed behind and vacuumed the nice layer of sand we had accumulated on our tile floor.  I can't get over how kind and positive all seem to be here - I guess it is what they call the Aloha Spirit.  It has been a while since I have been to the laundromat, and everything is a bit more "techy".  The Hawaiian lady in charge helped me and several others, including unloading the machines and hurrying to get "the best dryers!"  Then down to our beach for some surf and sunshine.  We left our apartment about 3:30 pm and drove down to have dinner with Glenn and Lisa Mervine in the Diamond Head area.  Glenn is a long ago neighbor when I lived in my beachfront apartment in Half Moon Bay, CA, and Lisa's parents and 4 of her 9 siblings live in Gig Harbor!  Bill and I decided the roads were not too well marked (of course it was not pilot error!)  It took us two hours, but our good spirits prevailed, and it was a lovely drive along the coast, including Kailua and Lanikai - this Island is definitely stealing a little bit of our hearts.  Lisa and Glenn have a wonderful house with a pool against a  backdrop of coral cliff and caves.  Lisa has a great knack for decorating.  We had a lovely visit and dinner with them.  Coming home we took the Pali  Highway and made it back in just over an hour!! z-z-z

Green Sea Turtle

 

Friday, Feb 6

A blue sky morning!  But of course, this is the day of Brooke's birth 25 years ago!  The ending of Bill and Robin, the wonderful beginning of Bill and Robin and family.  We spoke with her and she was having a lovely day.  We went down to our beach after a relaxing coffee and internet time on the lanai talking with Linda, the owner of the house.  Interestingly, the Brigham Young University students enjoy coming to our beach, so Bill has very politely enjoyed some nice sights - also, young children having the time of their lives with mom or dad. A very wholesome environment!

As much as we enjoyed the sunshine and water, knew we should not stay too long in the sun, so pried ourselves from the incredible warm sunshine and packed up in search of Thai food and green sea turtles (my newfound love).  We found both!!  While the Thai food was good (not as good as the Thai Hut in Gig Harbor, we felt),  our trip in the sunshine was the best!!  The surf on the North Shore was incredible!!  We stopped where we were told the green sea turtles sometimes come ashore to bask.  We walked along the beach with lava rock and looked out to sea as many were doing and saw lovely waves, but nothing else.  Then a tour bus descended upon the beach and all went to a far corner with cameras in hand.  We thought we should see what they were up to and followed them.  To our wonderful surprise there was a roped off area and on the other side were three sea turtles basking in the sun!  What marvelous creatures!!  We felt so privileged to have seen them.  There were at least two more feeding on the seaweed in the water.

After tearing ourselves away from the turtles we headed home.  We kept seeing incredible surf as we headed south and felt compelled to turn around and go back to Shark's  Cove. Beautiful, fantastic, explosive - wow oh wow.  Tried to capture it, but will live forever in our souls. Stopped at Ted's Bakery for 2 pieces of chocolate cream pie for later :)  Went from sunshine to rain as we headed to Laie.  Fantastic day - another movie tonight :)

Thursday, Feb 5

A promising morning weatherwise - love to awake to the sound of waves, the birds singing, and Chester mewing at the screen for us to come join him on the Lanai.  We had a leisurely coffee time and then off to the Hukilau cafe for another wonderful breakfast - Bill of course had to take pics of the food - a veggie omelette and banana pancakes.  Then we  ventured north to Waimea Falls.  A beautiful sacred place to the Hawaiians.  A large paved path to the falls makes great access available to all.  As soon as you enter there are gorgeous peacocks strolling the area.  I (Robin) received the first benefit of being 60 - I got in for half the price of Bill!  A beautiful forested area with many gorgeous plants and the falls were lovely (the water is red-tinged due to the iron ore in the rock), so not as clear as Northwest folks are used to, but understandably so.

We then proceeded homeward with a stop for more fresh papaya at a fruit stand.  Bill snoozed and Robin went down to the beach for some late afternoon sun and reading.  I think we finally have "vacation blood "going on. Watched another movie tonight - the third for us, who never watch movies together!! Never mind that movie time begins at 7:00pm because we are so relaxed after all the fresh air.

 

Wednesday, Feb 4

(You Can Click on the Slide Show to See ALL the Pictures)

The best day yet!  Awoke to patches of blue sky, filtered sunshine.  More wonderful Kona coffee, then off to the Hukilau Cafe for a breakfast of rice, eggs over easy, and Portuguese sausage.  This is  a cafe where all the locals hang - great food, great prices. Then back to our beach for our first sun time. Bill took his first swim - I need to be a little warmer than the breeze allowed, but will definitely do so tomorrow.  Had a lunch of fresh Papya w/lime and then read/snooze time. Garfield and Chester also napped.  Now off to Sunset Beach for a daily walk and to watch the surfers. 

A-a-h  - back at the ranch out on the lanai sipping a glass of wine and watching the rosy sky to the west and a windsurfer getting in one last run for the day.  Had a great late lunch/early dinner at Ted's Bakery and then a long walk on Sunset Beach (good workout in the wet sand!)  Huge waves, and great fun to watch the surfers. Another movie in,  and early to bed listening to the waves.

BILL & ROBIN'S WINTER BREAK 2009

Monday, Feb 2

Aloha!  Early get-up at home in Gig Harbor for 0600 flight Sea-Sfo.  Bill and I last to board w/ about a minute to spare before they closed the door due to Rob getting stuck in very long security line - but luck prevailed.  Looked like a tight flight Sfo-Hnl, but Bill and I got on - YES!! - both in the E  seat(smack in the middle of a row of 5 peops - very cozy) coach on a 777, Bill right behind me.  My seat mate to the right was a very tired Japanese man who had come in from Las Vegas, ,and slept with his head on my shoulder almost the whole flight!!  I figured out after waking him,only to have him fall asleep on me again, to put a pillow in between us - much better.

Arrived Hnl  1230 pm - got car rental and motored north to Laie to our home away from home, Hale O Na Popoki (House of the Cats) - so called because the lady of the house is a cat rescuer (seems that is our destiny, as the lady below us at home is also a cat rescuer!!).  Chester Checkmark is almost a permanent lanai resident - very entertaining (see pic). The studio we have is very comfortable - murphy bed included - nothing fancy, but with with all the necessities, and the view is killer, as well as the sound Haleiwof the waves at night z-z-z-z.

Tuesday, Feb 3

After a very long sleep (very comfy bed) we made our first cup of Kona coffee (see pic)and then ventured out for a trip further north to get our bearings on the Island.  Went to the town of Haleiwa - drove through beautiful green rural acerage and past Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove, and many beautiful beaches with rough and tumble surf.  Breakfast at The Breakers, a stop at a fruit stand for papya, sweet corn, and bananas, then home for a walk on our beach and a snooze.  At the other end of our street is a great viewing point - when the water is not so stormy apparently a great whale-watching point (see pic) Also our place is less than 3 minutes to a little shopping mall with large grocery store and laundromat.