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