Goodbye Hawaii

We enjoyed our last week back on Oahu with Hannah and Matthew. They both had a long weekend break having the Friday off work as well as Thanksgiving.  We ate our turkey Wednesday evening as it was already Thursday on the East Coast where Matthew's family live and the neighbors had invited us over on Thursday. Matthew carved his first turkey and we were able to video the event to send to Cindy, his mom. We enjoyed a nice walk along the beach Thursday before meeting Cheryl, Dave and their family as well as other friends and neighbors. Everybody took some food and the meal lasted about 4 hours. perfect weather here, with a shower most nights to keep the temperature down. Had a lovely walk with Daphne on Friday, saw some very exotic birds on the way but they are all quite common here. Off early Sunday morning on our flight to Fiji so preparation Saturday as we shall only be able to take one small case on our island hopping.

What an anniversary!

Up before dawn for an early morning helicopter flight before the clouds form on Mona Loa, the active volcano. Flew right over the active crater and down along the lava tube that takes the current flow to the sea. Glimpses of lava down through parts of the tube that have collapsed and then again as it spills out above the cliffs into the sea. On across the island to the North East shore where towering cliffs. one of the sides of Mona Kea, drop down very steeply into the sea. There are no roads as the the volcano sides are too steep and are intersected with steep valleys, each with waterfalls, dropping almost sheer to the valley floors, The highest at 1,200ft one of the biggest in the world. Back for lunch and a rest before setting off on a night boat trip out beyond the reef to swim with the manta rays. We had about 7 swimming with us, one about 16 - 18ft across. They come right to the surface, just below you and one kept circling, just below me touching me, belly to belly on some of it's circuits! Oh to be 64!

even more mantas

Not even scared!

more mantas

Yes, I really took these!

Mantas

Up the mountain

With our friend

Altitude and hair

Altitude, no hair and Big Island peaks

Rare nene geese

Not such a bad drive as expected. !0,000 ft up from sea level in 2 hours. Lucky with weather so good views of the crater 3,000 ft below. Could see above the clouds to the twin peaks of The Big Island about 60 miles away and our next stop. Visited a botanic garden in the temperate zone on the way down. Our last  home cooked meal until Oahu with our lovely balcony and sea view. Visited the aquarium on the way to the airport and had an interesting chat with Mike, one of the guides about the problems of jobs for young people on the islands. Pick up car at Kona and get room change to ocean/sunset view on request at The Outrigger resort. Just in time for sunset from balcony and book trips whilst having meal. Dreadful night after meal out Will I ever eat again - so ill!!

Back to the wedding tree!

Our apartment at Kihei

Better at sunset!

As we might now really be married, having redeemed the 15$ order and resubmitted a 14$ one, went back to baby beach, Lahaina, THE PLACE. Snorkeled this time and saw a lagoon humuhumunukunukuapuaa, bigger and more colourful than the reef variety we have been seeing. Lunch at Babba Gumps looking back to Molakai across that awful stretch of water. Prawns galore and a marguerita - delicious!

Bluefin Trevally

Rather a muddled last entry! Pork chops not whilst snorkeling!

Snorkelling and snorkelling

That should be Kihei. Apartment overlooks a busy road but the sea just over the road. Go to the most highly recommended site on the island at Ahihi cove in Makena. Lovely coral and many new fish including 2 bluefin trevally, about 3ft long and iridescent blue and grey. The cove in a park reserve, the site of the last eruption on Maui in 1790. Very jagged lava rocks so surf shoes essential. Potter round some shops and pork chops with corn seasoning and pineapple - very good. Try the snorkelling just over the road and again lovely coral and good variety of fish although smaller. Along to Ulua beach in Wailea just up the road and  swim to deep water along reef from beach. BBQ facility for all apartments worked brilliantly on steak and Vincent had a few social moments cooking it. Lovely evening on balcony playing Yahtzee, must buy one for onward travel.

11th/12th November Maui

Downgraded car again on arrival at Kahului knowing we were headed on ' the road to Hana' the Hawaiian equivalent to the Amalfi coast road. Not disappointed, 45 miles of narrow, part one lane, twisty road with a sheer drop to the ocean when not dipping to a black sandy beach. We stopped to climb a steep path through eucalyptus and bamboo forest for a view of one of the many waterfalls. Picnicked overlooking the ocean. The arrival at the yurt in Hana was amazing. Both very tired after a 5.30 start. It was a circular tent done out inside like a luxury hotel room complete with kitchen. The bathroom was a bamboo outhouse with an open air shower complete with luxury spa goodies and orchids! After a town recce we decided on the one 'ranch' restaurant. Watched swimmers, surfers and paddlers on an outrigger canoe on the beach. Walked to a poor meal with obsequious waiter, Greek salad with no olives! Yurt very cosy especially in the rain although loo visits in the night too exciting. On to botanical garden closed for a furlough due to economic climate! Beach park with stunning views but could not leave car out of sight as warnings of thefts, all our worldly goods for the next 5 months inside! Back for coffee and banana bread to talk with Danni a Berkley drop out helping with the banana bread whilst she decides whether to go back. Vincent gave firm advice and she seemed receptive. On to another garden 15 miles, 1 hour down the road, giving a lift to young man, born in Hana, with a grandfather pure Hawaiian, involved in the Hawaiian independence movement. Lots of local history on the way. Lovely gardens of Eden, with views to the ocean used in the opening scenes of Jurassic Park. On to apartment in Kehlio overlooking the ocean across the road but suspect bedding we throw straight in the wash. Good local shop and meal on the balcony.

I could get used to this!

Sunset every evening

What a location!

Kauai was our luxury booking for this trip and it really has been a taste of paradise in every sense. The apartment and location have made it, but the island itself is so spectacular with plenty to see that our expectations were exceeded. We have almost become blasee about turtles and wonderful colourful fish just outside our back door! We have eaten in every day as the setting beats any restuarant. Plenty of fresh local food and a well stocked kitchen, make cooking to the sound of the surf a pleasure.

fish day!

Could not download the turtle yesterday! Quality not good as too near the shore.

Turtle day!

Hannah had managed to be in the water at the same time as the turtles but so far we have just watched them from our patio. Going for our morning swim/snorkel wf saw a huge one very near the shore. Risking life and limb, as I would on such an occasion, I plunged in to find myself next to the giant! Whipping my camera from my ample bosom, I managed a few poor shots. The nearer the shore the more bubbles which the camera picks up. Got some lovely fish pictures further out showing the variety and size of fish in this magic spot. On to the grand canyon of Hawaii which was very dramatic and not unlike the real one. 3,500 feet up looking down to the ocean and across to valleys carved out of the lava rock. Back for another swim with an even bigger turtle further out. Home cooked meal of moderate quantity which is not possible eating out! Another paradise day!

Monday 8th November

Hannah and Matthew back in Oahu with Daphne and we are still suffering here! Started the day with an amazing snorkel, lots of colourful fish, and big shoals as well. Decided to do the marathon drive to the north coast. Scenery more dramatic and road narrower the further you go. We a topped for a lebonese??? meal near tunnel beach, good for snorkelling but not at this time of year. Road ran out at Kee beach which is the start of the haena state park. Walked part of the Kalaoau trail but steep, slippery and dangerous so we turned back very early. Lovely views of the beach and people snorkelling along the reef. Cool water was very tempting after the walk and with lifeguards watching we expected a fish event! Disappointed, not a patch on our beach and the rip tide trying to pull us out of the gap in the reef made it more exciting than we can cope with at our age! The thought of nothing between the gap in the reef and Alaska gave us an amazing turn of speed. Lovely drive back over narrow bridges with the sea on one side and sheer mountainsides on the other. Realised we do not leave until Thursday so we have gained a day here. Back to a multicoloured sunset over the sea and wonder how we will cope with an extra day!

Another snorkelling day

Watch white tropicbirds catching fish from a waterfall! Lunch on a beach at Dukes, a hawaiian surfing legend come diner owner, followed by an offer to teach us hawaiian paddle surfing which we shall think about, are we too old? Back to our beach to snorkel, Hannah tries my underwater camera and films a turtle just in front of our apartment.

4th to 6th November Kauai

Drop Daphne of at her luxury resort for a weekend of socializing with like minded pooches and of for the half hour flight. Paradise found! After changing enormous upgraded limousine for a more manageable car drive the 15 miles to our apartment at Pohoi. Ground floor right on the edge of te sea! Walk alng the greensward in front of the block to a snorkelling bay tucked behind a reef. Amazing snorkelling with very large specimens. The biggest parrotfish,butterfly and other types we have ever seen. Even Matthew and Hannah find them large. Turtle pops his head up just in front of our apartment and we learn that we have just missed a monk seal which was on the beach. Steaks for supper after a big shop in surprisingly well stocked supermarket. Snorkel again after breakfast on Dad's birthday, he would have been 99! Hannah showed us an eel hiding in the coral. Matthew finishes work early and we all go to botanical garden nearby, they head off but we carry on with a guided tour into a valley with native,canoe and introduced plants. Cook was here, discovering the island on his way north to find a northwest passage. Back for another snorkel then seared tuna with papaya salsa - really good.

31st October to 3rd November

Fly out on time from Dallas after 3 terminal changes! American Airlines is poor compared to BA. At one stage they announced that we should all go and buy food and drink as there was none on the 8 hour flight!  Vincent queried if this applied to first and we were reassured, but what a shambles. No TV and fierce, cold aircon, ended up with runny nose and eyes. Lovely greeting by Hannah and Matthew with leis for us both and whisked away to a waterfront restuarant for a delicious meal. Jetlagged birthday but lovely to be here. Banners put up by Hannah and Matthew and a gentle hawaiin CD - a perfect present. Daphne a joy, great fun and we have now been accepted as member of the family. Cooked a meal, mediterranean chicken, such a treat after eating out for 3 weeks. Nice family meal and good birthday. Matthew left for Kauai Tuesday morning and we explored Kaneohe before Hannah left for work. Lovely flowers and trees with sea view all the time. Took Daphne for a walk and sat in the garden. Meal in again with Hannah and early night as time difference telling. Another lazy day Wednesday and spoke to Jen Niamh and Mollie. The problems of Percy. Into the fridge for him on Saturday after concentrated bathing/ drinking to make him hydrate. Thinking about contacting RSPCA after hearing Jen left him in a bath for 1hour 15 minutes instead of 15 minutes only to rush home and find he he had achieved a supertortoise feat and got himself up the sheer walls rather than face drowning - I was not sure which bath she was talking about - if it was theirs they should put him on TV! Well done to Matt for doing a marathon in a porpoise suit and with a gammy knee, and good luck to Nick with his new job this week.