the last day with tradewinds....

March 19, Wednesday

This morning we all walked the coves and Judy and Paul fed the fish outside the JW.

Next we indulged in the breakfast buffet over looking our cove- cove #3

Here's Carol after a night of coconut juice...........a new tattoo!! Who would have thought!!??
Next I took off to explore secret coves- three natural coves used by the ancient Hawaiians for their healing powers.

I even ran into a friend........

Carol and Paul were off taking a watercolor class, while Judy hit each pool and jacuzzi.

Then tonight we had an Aloha meal again at Chuck's here at the Ko Olina.

We'll be leaving tomorrow which is two days early. Its a little crazy, but we are coming back early so we can take off for China on Sunday. Its a nine day trip through our local chamber of commerce which we just couldn't pass up. We'll be joined by Judy and Paul, Corinne and Marlowe, Duane and Joan (neighbors) and Denise and Steve (friends from the sister city).

I won't be lugging Delbert along (my Dell laptop), so unless I can find Chinese internet cafes, I'll have to do the blog once we return.

ALOHA...................

Makaha

March 18, Tuesday

Today we drove up the coast to Makaha again. We were checking out the resort where my younger sister, Debbie, will be staying. She will be arriving in Hawaii the day after we leave (great planning by the Joneses). She will be with Dennis and her boys Tony and Jess.

We took a picnic lunch and ate overlooking a great swimming beach, surfing area and a harbor.

Then tonight (right now), Judy and Paul went to Fia Fia as we did two weeks ago.

Banzai (pipeline)

March 17, Monday
Today we got up and took off for the North Shore- about noon!!
Our first stop was the historic town of Haleiwa and a stop at Matsumoto's shave ice- a tradition!! Next we drove and stopped a different beaches- Sunset Beach and the "Pipeline"- but the waves were only about 10-15 feet.

For lunch we stopped in Kuhuku again for garlic and spicy shrimp- always good!!! On our way back we stopped at Waimea Bay and the Waimea Valley Center. Its a botanical type walk through ancient Hawaiian ruins to the Waimea Falls where you can swim in the pool of the falls.......we didn't have suits and Carol and Judy wouldn't................never mind!! Finally it was back to th Ko Olina for our corned beef and cabbage and some more pinochle.

Whoo babe!!!!

March 16, Sunday
What a view!! Judy and Paul's timeshare is a penthouse, so we are on the top of the world, 16 stories up!!! We all went for a walk around the four coves and harbor, then it was breakfast and figuring what was on the schedule for our first day.
(boy, do the tradewinds ever blow up here!!)
Next it was off to the Bishop Museum which we hit on a "kama'aina" day- that's where the locals get great discounted prices.

Off again

March 15, Sat.
Today we are off again, but back to Oahu and the Ko Olina.
We first stopped at Joe's On The Green again for breakfast, then it was off to HNL on "Doze" airline??!!........
Then back to the Ko Olina, but this is the first time we'll be in the extra bedroom, as this is Judy and Paul's timeshare.

Laid back Kauai

March 14, Friday

Today was our last day at the Waiohai, so that means dinner at the beach house. I made reservations for a front table at sunset about 3 weeks ago, since it gets packed, especially on a Friday night.

As you can see, besides the food being wonderful, the view is one in a million.

March 13, Thursday
This morning it was off to Joe's On The Green for breakfast- a must for us.
Then we hit the surf, then the pool and jacuzzi followed by a walk to the local shops. Dinner was on the BBQ again and then I dug into LOST for 2 hours since I missed it last week.

A real kick back, enjoy the weather day........

Welcome again

March 12, Wed.
Today we went to Lihue to meet Judy and Paul at the airport. They got and earlier inter island flight in, so we had time to stop at Hamura's again for some saimin. Then it was off to the Waiohai and directly into an owners Mai Tai Party and toasting the sunset. They stuck it out as long as possible to get into the time zone. It was great to have them here again.

We're by ourselves??

March 11, Tuesday
Today we had the tearful departure of Patty and Doug as they flew back to So Cal and then on to New Mexico by way of Palm Springs- Hi, Jane.....
They are long time friends and we were happy to have them share Hawaii with us again and sorry to see them leave.
The rest of today was low key for us- visiting locales we like and enjoying the views.

A local day......

March 10, Monday
After walking to the Hyatt Grand and following the beautiful coast back to the Waiohai, we had a breakfast of eggs and spam- a Hawaiian treat!!
At noon we went to the local "Sunshine" farmers market for all those great local fruits, vegetables and flowers.
For lunch, we went to Hamura's Saimin in Lahui followed by some Hawaiian jewelry shopping at Robert's Hawaiian Jewelry down the street.
After a dinner of local Ahi poke and a fresh Hawaiian salad, we were off to a local music concert at the Island School behind the community college. The program called E Kaikapila Kakou and its an Arts Council program of arts/ music for the locals. The Kama'ainas were the group performing this night and were they ever great! They had a steel guitar, ukes, a bass and a guitar player that had a falsetto like no other. One of the uke players was in his 80's and could still hit those falsetto notes. It was was even more special because one of the hula dancers was male and he just brought the house down.
Its our third year for this local treat.

In the end, we all held hands and sang "Aloha Hawaii"- what an experience!!

Thar she blows.......

March 9, Sunday
Today we walked down past Poipu County Beach and stopped to watch the whales. Later we played some cards, followed by listening to the singer at the beach bar and toasting the sunset. A real laid back day..........

Home again, home again........

March 8, Sat.
Today we flew to Kauai and came back to the Waiohai- it really does feel like coming home.

Dear friends......

March 7, Thursday

Our very dear friends, Maureen and Harold caught the bus from Honolulu to Ko Olina today, then proceeded to run across the freeway to get to our Hale!!

These out islanders!!! when they get to the big city.................

After their bravado entrance, we had a poolside lunch prior to spending the afternoon on the beach.

Here is Harold waving to us with both feet- Following another glorious sunset, it was off to dinner at Chuck's on site.

Again the food and atmosphere were wonderful, but not as wonderful as our friends..............

I'll never forget the sight of Maureen and Harold jumping up and down and waving (as instructed) to stop the bus on the side of the freeway- in the dark!!

Outer Islanders

March 6, Thur.

This morning we drove into Honolulu and met up with our good friends Maureen and Harold. They retired to the big island and can over to spend a few days with us in "the city".

We started off to the North Shore and stopped at the Dole Plantation for a few pineapple treats. Next it was to the little historic town of Haleiwa, past Matsumotos shaved ice to beautiful Waimea Bay. We went past Sunset Beach, the "Pipeline" and Turtle Bay to our unique lunch stop- Kahuku Shrimp.

Harold said we just had to try the shrimp here because they raise them in the ponds right there. And.......... they were great! Definitely at place to come back to (Judy and Paul!!).We ended up circling the island. Past the Polynesian Cultural Center, past Kailua (where we stayed in a B&B last time here) and on to the Byodo-In Temple.

Finally we drove around Diamond Head but at its base along the coast- it reminded me of Malaga Cove in Palos Verdes back in Calif.

It was beautiful!!!

We ended up back in Waikiki, where Maureen and Harold were staying and they treated us with another dinner suggestion- Todai, a Japanese sushi and buffet restaurant - another keeper!!

It was a great day with good friends, good food and beautiful views. Now this is what retirement is all about.......