Seeing Double?

Before I left on vacation I snapped a picture of this one lonely artichoke and expected that it would be a fully opened thistle upon my return...

No one attended to the garden while I was away. I'm so tired that I know I can't see straight but am I seeing double?

Exhaustion

I need a vacation. Going home tomorrow and a week was but a taste of Paradise. McBride Gardens were nice but Princeville Botanical remains my favorite. Packed up all the souveniers plus clothes never worn. Next time I'll travel lighter and bring more money. Aloha.

Kilauea Adventure

Another showery day but we found our own brand of sunshine. First a trip past Wailua Falls to visit friends of Pat followed by our planned visit to Kilauea Point. If we had read the guidebook, we probably would have scheduled this outing for another day since it turns out the Wildlife Refuge is closed on Mondays.

We enjoyed a remarkable lunch at the Bistro in Kilauea (the Spring Rolls and Purple Sweet Potatoe Fries were delicious) and a bit of retail therapy at the Island Soap and Candle Company. Pat also picked up  Puakenikeni Lei from Alice (watch for sign between the point and town).

The last few items on the shopping list were easily procured at the Coconut Marketplace. More than half of the shops in the center were empty and closed due to the bad economy.The Elephant Walk store was a pleasure to find... we both walked out in new Vionic sandals, Pat's latest favorite and possibly my new favorite.

Never too tired to hear Haunani perform, we made one last stop at the Marriott. She gets around the island so watch for her if you travel that direction.

Easter Sunday

It's been a blustery day in Kapaa but we did get in a few activities between the rain showers.  Easter services were exceptional at the welcoming All Saints Episcopal church. While it might not be my "brand" of church, it filled the desires and Rev Ryan has a great sense of humor. When we left one of the members presented me with her lei which was a beautiful gesture.

On the way back to our condo we stopped off to take a photo of the Bull Shed restaurant and found Jack, the fisherman, preparing his tire tube "boat" and net to catch some Unicorn fish. We hung around and watched him for nearly an hour as he pointed out schools of fish and suddenly rushed out to sea circling the school with his net. Unfortunately it was not a successful venture but it was interesting.

Being really worn out from the last few days it wasn't a problem to spend most of the afternoon hanging out at the condo with one quick trip out for breakfast supplies. It's all good... reading, listening to the surf, napping... with the ocean right outside the door. What could be better than that?

Tree Tunnel

On the way to sunshine in Po'ipu we drove the Dodge Charger through the Tree Tunnel. I mention the car make and model only because a "well worn" woman approached us at the market to let us know what a cool charger we had. Neither of us could figure out what she was alluding to, thinking perhaps we were dragging our phone chargers along. It took a moment to realize that yes we did have a sporty car! We began to drive with a new attitude.

Po'ipu turned out to be a jackpot for snorkling... a friendly sea turtle led us to a good variety of fish. Amazing how exhausting a few minutes of snorkling and a couple of hours on the beach can be. It was take out pizza as the dinner of choice and bed time will happen at an early hour, before the minute hand completes it's next cycle.

Junglefowl

They're everywhere and they crow sunrise to sunset. Today was mostly sunny. We spent the morning and early afternoon shopping locally. Donned fins and snorkle gear in the late afternoon and observed Sergeant Majors, Stripies and Convict Tangs at Lydgate Park in Wailua. Ending the day with fresh Tbone steaks from Kojima Store in Kapa'a.

Princeville Botanical Gardens

First full day in Kuaui was blustery, warm and showery. We choose to visit Princeville Botanical Gardens for a 2 1/2 hour tour including chocolate tasting. Armed with a dose of Deet, sunscreen, and rain jackets we did our walkabout with minimal mud and took enough exotic pua photos to change our wallpaper each day for the next 90 days.

Paradise

Well worth the eight hours of travel time. This is where I get to spend the next seven days.

Busy Work

Because I didn't have enough to do with work, Facebook, taxi-ing and taxing, I had to dig out another project. Not an easy task since it involved removing piles of Little's J's stuff from the top of the buried cedar chest and then digging through a dozen unfinished projects to get to the sock yarn. Was going for something small and light enough to toss in my carry on.

Last time the sock knitting went well for two and a half pairs. Considering that Little J probably can't get his big toe into the one lonely toddler sized sock I found in the chest, I'd say it's been at least ten years since the knitting needles have seen daylight. At least I was smart enough to store the yarn in the cedar chest so it hasn't been meals for the moths.

I'm expecting computer withdrawals tomorrow as I fly off in a westerly direction leaving technology behind. (OK... that's a bit of a stretch... I will have the tablet/phone connection... can't leave it all behind).

2 Day Countdown

Mantra of the day... 2 days then vacation. Yes, I did finish all necessary work at Job #1. Wonder what awaits at Job #2 tomorrow. I can do it. I can do it.

A bit sad today since it's my youngest son's 39th birthday and all I could do was send him a card. Hoping something in his day will bring peace and happiness.