On our last day on Oahu we visited Iolani Palace, the residence of the last two reigning monarchs of Hawaii. The Palace had electricity before the White House of Buckingham Palace did.
Then we viisted the beach one last time. The water was cold, so we enjoyed sitting and watching all that was going on around us.
Finally, we had as our "last supper" a meal of island food from a favorite restaurant of Dabney and Tyler.
They took us to the airport where we waited and waited for a much-delayed flight from Guam. Finally, we left about mid-night and were able to sleep some on the flight to Houston. We had a bit of a wait there (better than having to dash wildly to make a connection) for our flight to Greensboro. We got in to Greensboro about 4:45. Bill and Tom met us at Tight Squeeze to escort us the rest of the way home.
We had a fabulous time but are glad to be back home!
Until our next adventures,
ALOHA!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Next-to-last Day
This morning Ann and I walked to many shops and looked around (and did some shopping) in a non-touristy area. Then we ate a delicious lunch prepared by Dabney (roasted kale leaves, curried sweet potato soup, roasted purple sweet potatoes, and a yummy papaya salad). Ann and I hit the pavement again and went to the touristy area. ABC stores are on every block (not Alcohol Beverage Control but "A Better Convenience" somewhat like the ever-present Wings and Dunes stortes on the East Coast). We came home briefly and then went to Duke's, a casual restaurant in The Waikiki Outrigger hotel, with a view of the ocean, of Diamond Head, of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and of the sun set. We had arranged to meet a former JRDS student, Megan Davies, there and had such fun catching up with her doings.
We came on home and began the arduous process of packing and wondering if our suitcaes will be overweight...only time will tell. Tomorrow night, to be exact. Our plane leaves at 9:40 pm for Houston, and we expect to be in Greensboro by 2:30 or so.
So...this may be the last post for this adventure, this totally satisfying experience. Thanks for being with us on our Pacific Adventures!
We came on home and began the arduous process of packing and wondering if our suitcaes will be overweight...only time will tell. Tomorrow night, to be exact. Our plane leaves at 9:40 pm for Houston, and we expect to be in Greensboro by 2:30 or so.
So...this may be the last post for this adventure, this totally satisfying experience. Thanks for being with us on our Pacific Adventures!
What a Day This Has been!
This morning Ann and I went to a small farmers' market where we bought pineapple, bananas, kiwi, veggies for stir fry and saw chopped octopus meat (but we left that for someone else to buy). Adjacent was a thrift store that we perused.
After that Dabney, Tyler, Ann,and I went on a long hike up Makoup'u to whale watch. Because the wind was calmer than usual, it was easier to tell the whale spouts from white caps. We were rewarded by seeing many whales in action. It was also unusually clear today.
From there we went to a deli and got lunch food, and then we proceeded to Kailua Beach and ate our lunch on the beach. What was especially wonderful about this spot is I believe it to be the site of Camp Kailani, where I worked the summer of 1964. It is now a lovely park, It was great fun to walk on the same beach where I spent spare moments that summer.
Then we hustled on back to dabney and Tyler's to get ready for the big event of the evening...a luau at Paradise Cove, about 27 miles from Honolulu. We pased the school Obama attended, an ice skating rink. Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor, among other things. We were on a tour bus and were right in the midst of going-home-from-work traffic.
Once we were at Paradise Cove, we could stroll and watch various traditoonal crafts being made or shop. Finally, it was time for the meal, and we served ourselves buffet-style. Among the offerings were pork, chciken, a salmon salad, white fish, poi, rice, various other salads, a coconut-spice cake, coconut puddding, chocolate cake, and pineapple.
We watched many hula dances, listened to singers, and gasped to a fire dancer's feats. There were dancers representing Hawaii, Samoa and Bali. Ann and I joined a group to learn the hula (on stage...) and received certifcates of schievement "for advanced performance in Polynesian dancing." (Sure!)
The bus ride home was much faster than the ride to the luau. Everyone was pretty weary by then, but it was a fun night.
Aloha!
After that Dabney, Tyler, Ann,and I went on a long hike up Makoup'u to whale watch. Because the wind was calmer than usual, it was easier to tell the whale spouts from white caps. We were rewarded by seeing many whales in action. It was also unusually clear today.
From there we went to a deli and got lunch food, and then we proceeded to Kailua Beach and ate our lunch on the beach. What was especially wonderful about this spot is I believe it to be the site of Camp Kailani, where I worked the summer of 1964. It is now a lovely park, It was great fun to walk on the same beach where I spent spare moments that summer.
Then we hustled on back to dabney and Tyler's to get ready for the big event of the evening...a luau at Paradise Cove, about 27 miles from Honolulu. We pased the school Obama attended, an ice skating rink. Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor, among other things. We were on a tour bus and were right in the midst of going-home-from-work traffic.
Once we were at Paradise Cove, we could stroll and watch various traditoonal crafts being made or shop. Finally, it was time for the meal, and we served ourselves buffet-style. Among the offerings were pork, chciken, a salmon salad, white fish, poi, rice, various other salads, a coconut-spice cake, coconut puddding, chocolate cake, and pineapple.
We watched many hula dances, listened to singers, and gasped to a fire dancer's feats. There were dancers representing Hawaii, Samoa and Bali. Ann and I joined a group to learn the hula (on stage...) and received certifcates of schievement "for advanced performance in Polynesian dancing." (Sure!)
The bus ride home was much faster than the ride to the luau. Everyone was pretty weary by then, but it was a fun night.
Aloha!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Oahu on Foot (and on bus)
Today we went to the Foster Botannical Gardens and saw a plethora of palm tree varieties, as well as other species of trees and plants.
We also went to the Ala Moana Shopping Center for a little while. Night falls early here, and we are ready to turn in.
We also went to the Ala Moana Shopping Center for a little while. Night falls early here, and we are ready to turn in.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentine's Day 2010
We had a good flight from Guam on Feb. 14. One of the flight attendants was Ken Reyes who knows Lupe's fmily, so we had much to chat about.
We got to Dabney and Tyler's place, unloaded our luggage and walked about 2 blocks to the beach. The front of their apartment faces Ala Wai, a lovely canal.
Today Ann and I slept really late and then we went to the beach for a while. We could tell that we were burning, so we came home and later we had lunch at Tiki's. The food was delicious, and, because we sat outdoors, the view of the ocean was gorgeous.
We can tell that our time here will pass way too soon.
We got to Dabney and Tyler's place, unloaded our luggage and walked about 2 blocks to the beach. The front of their apartment faces Ala Wai, a lovely canal.
Today Ann and I slept really late and then we went to the beach for a while. We could tell that we were burning, so we came home and later we had lunch at Tiki's. The food was delicious, and, because we sat outdoors, the view of the ocean was gorgeous.
We can tell that our time here will pass way too soon.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Last day on Guam
On this our last day on Guam, Ann met with her friend from Guam Community College, Eric Chung, and an advisor and students from Phi Theta Kappa(honorary society; she is the advisor at BRCC). While they were meeting at Shirley's (a local restaurant), Mimi and I strolled among the lovely plants at a nursery. We picked out many specimens that we would like to have. (Mimi already has wondrous things in her backyard "jungle.")
Soon after that Tom, Mimi, Opal Jaquette (their friend and house guest), Ann, and I went to Asan Beach (where the Marines landed to liberate the island from the Japanese in WWII) to participate in a family gathering of my former classmate, Joe Mendiola. What a welcoming family! We enjoyed delicious island cuisine and much fun and fellowship. Joe has a delightful family (wife, sons, daughters and 20-some grands), and we appreciate being included in their festivities.
We came back home and packed our bags so that we could check them in at the airport tonight to expedite our departure tomorrow morning (Feb. 14). We'll be on Continental flight CO2, leaving at 6:40 and arriving in Honolulu at 5:50 pm on Feb. 13. (Isn't the International Dateline something!)
We have had a fabulous time on Guam and can only hope that Tom and Mimi and Lupe and others we have met will visit us in Virginia one day.
Adios for now!
Soon after that Tom, Mimi, Opal Jaquette (their friend and house guest), Ann, and I went to Asan Beach (where the Marines landed to liberate the island from the Japanese in WWII) to participate in a family gathering of my former classmate, Joe Mendiola. What a welcoming family! We enjoyed delicious island cuisine and much fun and fellowship. Joe has a delightful family (wife, sons, daughters and 20-some grands), and we appreciate being included in their festivities.
We came back home and packed our bags so that we could check them in at the airport tonight to expedite our departure tomorrow morning (Feb. 14). We'll be on Continental flight CO2, leaving at 6:40 and arriving in Honolulu at 5:50 pm on Feb. 13. (Isn't the International Dateline something!)
We have had a fabulous time on Guam and can only hope that Tom and Mimi and Lupe and others we have met will visit us in Virginia one day.
Adios for now!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Next to the Last Day
Today we have been covered by an article in the newspaper and an interview on the radio. From the radio broadcast came a call from someone who was a "Navy kid" at the same time we were. We got to meet him tonight, a Mr.Mike Dodge. We knew a few people in common, and he could pinpoint some places we have been curious about.
If you did not get the link for the braodcast, here it is:
Mihttp://pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3271:ann-and-mary-walker-on-the-patti-arroyo-show&catid=52:k57-interviews&Itemid=151
It is a 30-min program, but the time went quickly for us.
This evening we went to Chamorro Village where Tom Santos was jammin' with other musicians. The music was really good.Tom is a ukelele player and taught some of the group to play years ago. Ann got down and boogied,much to the spectators' delight. Several of Ann's classmates came to be with us. It was a fun evening.
Only one more day "on island."
If you did not get the link for the braodcast, here it is:
Mihttp://pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3271:ann-and-mary-walker-on-the-patti-arroyo-show&catid=52:k57-interviews&Itemid=151
It is a 30-min program, but the time went quickly for us.
This evening we went to Chamorro Village where Tom Santos was jammin' with other musicians. The music was really good.Tom is a ukelele player and taught some of the group to play years ago. Ann got down and boogied,much to the spectators' delight. Several of Ann's classmates came to be with us. It was a fun evening.
Only one more day "on island."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)