Thursday 21st to Tuesday 25th September 2017.

Not a lot to report over the next few days. Doing a lot of walking, especially around the Ala Moana shops doing last minute shopping. Swimming every afternoon so just a few photos to post.

These  three photos are especially for you Des to show you  the new Ala Moana shopping centre  to see how much it has changed. It's so big spreading out in all directions. So many really up market shops. Can walk for hours and still not see it all.

 SATURDAY 23rd September

After breakfast we walked out to the end of the Ala Moana Beach park (Magic Island). This shot is right out at the end. The see is on the left and a sheltered swimming area to the right.

The sheltered swimming area which as you can see they have built a break water with gaps to let the water flow in and thus making it sheltered from some of the waves that come in.

Looking back towards the buildings. Harbour entrance on the right.

Looking back to the area we are in. Ilikai in about the middle of the high rises.

Stone wall where PT went out to have a chat with a chap who was fishing. He had a few for a good feed.

SUNDAY 24th September.

Today is the big waka race from Molakai Island for the ladies. We are not sure of the distance but approx  35 Miles. I would say that they left early morning and started arriving about 1.30pm. No idea how many boats (but well over 100) in the race but they just kept coming in for about a couple of hours or so. Perfect condition for them very little wind. A long race for the ladies.

This is around the lagoon area where the locals set up their tents for the day alone with all their food. to await the finish of the race which is right where we swim everyday to the left of the large tent  top left of the photo.

Beach in front of the Hilton.
While we were waiting for the waka race to finish we walked along for an ice cream to the Hawaiian village behind the Hilton. Said I wouldn't have another one but we had time to fill in.....

Looking over the lagoon. The tent relates to the waka race officials.

Out swimming while waiting for the boats to arrive.

Sitting on the beach still waiting no sign of them yet

Here comes the first boat, they must be so tired.

When they pull into the beach the men rush down to grab the boat to get ready to get in and row it away. I soon realised that they have to take the boats away as there would be no room on the beach for them all. Its just a small bay. The girls get out and everyone rushes them putting flowers around their necks. Some come away with so many flowers. They get lots of hugs, tears as well. Must be very emotional for them after such a long distance.

They are really starting to come in now.

After awhile there were so many boats coming in one after the other we couldn't swim anymore got so crowded.

People on the beach cheering them on.

These girls just got off their boat. They were so exhausted they could hardly stand up.

It got quiet noisy with all the yelling of support. A lot of fun to watch.

TUESDAY 25th September.

Last dash down to the mall to look for a lego set Adam wanted but sorry Adam no luck there.

Two more sleeps here leaving on our time Thursday 28th at 2.10pm arriving in Auckland about 10.30pm Friday 29th NZ time.

 We started  packing today to see if we can jam everything in our bags without buying another one. Think we will make it without dashing down the road at the last minute.

This is the last blog from me, we are going down for another meal tonight then tomorrow will just be getting organised.

Its been a great month up here, perfect weather all the time. the only rain was a few spots on the bus window for about two minutes which is hard to believe when we hear whats been going on back

home. Forgotten what rain looks like, but I guess we will soon learn.....

See you all soon.

Just worked out that we have walked 197kms over the month and an extra 42kms walking to the beach and back for a swim everyday.
which equals 239kms total

Hawaii 18th to 20th September 2017

MONDAY 18TH September

Didn't do a lot today went for a wander around the grounds of the Hilton village which is right next door to us. Went to their ice cream shop and had one of their great ice creams. Like everything here they were far too sweet. So much sugar in everything. I have had my one ice cream and won't be having another.

The trade winds have come in this week for the first time. Makes the temperatures a little kinder on us and very refreshing as we walk around.

In the Hilton grounds looking through to the lagoon.

Looking down the road of the village. Lots of little shops.

Now down on the lagoon looking from the Hilton gardens. The opposite side from where we walk around to the beach for swimming.

Looking across from another angle.

Looking through our apartment out to the night view. Nice temperature at this time of night.

TUESDAY  19TH September.

Today we made our way up to the Punchbowl. The resting place of the Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country. 

We decided to take the challenge in catching the bus up there dealing with transfers etc. It took us awhile waiting at bus stops on the way up and on the way down. We eventually returned home after a rather long time. Its always good to set ourselves with a challenge

Entrance to the gardens of the Punchbowl

Walking up the road through the main entrance are these amazing trees.

Look at the width of this one. Its amazing, its what we call a silk tree. The men are laid to rest all around the gardens in the lawns as you can see their plaques.

The memorial building.

Flowers from New Zealand.

Inside.

We walked up the hill to the lookout overlooking both Waikiki and Honolulu.

Diamond head in the far distance. Not going to walk up there this time. Done that three times before so that's it. Don't think the knees would take it these days.

As we were walking back down the hill more of the grounds and the plaques. Its really nicely laid out. Very peaceful surrounds.

Got back to the condo and refreshed with a swim. Trade winds still blowing so very pleasant on the beach, reduces the heat a bit. We were going out for dinner tonight but decided to do that tomorrow. (Too tired.)

WEDNESDAY  20TH September.

Another challenge for the day taking the bus out to Ewa Beach which is further along the coast to the west. We didn't keep going further around the coast to the flash beach resorts just too far when you have to hang around waiting for buses. We certainly saw a few new bus stops yesterday and today but it is all fun as we have the time to do it. It took us about two hours to get there with all the stop starts in the bus.

We arrived at the town of Ewa inland a bit from the coast so we had another transfer out to the beach.

Finally arrived at the Ewa Beach Park, looking across the picnic area to the beach.

A beautiful beach. We arrived with our togs, suncream lotion hats etc to find out that it wasn't a place to swim probably due to the trade winds blowing along the beach. Although it doesn't look like it in these photos the waves were real dumpers rolling up the beach then sweeping away with a strong current. Too dangerous and there wasn't any lifeguards, so disappointed we couldn't swim but well worth the trip just to see this beautiful spot. Photo above  looking east back to Waikiki but too far to see.

Looking straight out to sea. The waves look fairly tame in the photo but it wasn't like that at all. Quite scary.

Looking the other way to the west.

Zoomed in to bring up Waikiki and Diamond head.

PT talking to a couple of local lads who advised too rough for swimming.

A beautiful spot and a shame about the swimming.

Waiting for the bus to come back along to the beach park for our return to base. Very hot waiting and no seats at this shelter. We were right next to a military training area and had to listen to them practicing firing their rifles. very loud and a little scary hoping their aim was good. The bus was meant to return every half hour. We waited and waited more than an hour went by still no bus. A young local boy stopped and took us into to Ewa town to the transfer station. He was at the park and saw that we had been waiting for some time. The bus back was a lot quicker as we managed to catch the express bus which went down the motorway whereas on the way out we stopped at every bus stop on the back road.

 Went downstairs again for  

dinner tonight which was nice. Note Dads new shirt..

Rather like these. My blue Hawaiian and PTs beer.

HAWAII September 14th to September 16th 2017

THURSDAY 14TH  September.

This pool is new to the hotel. They were building it last time we were here.

.

It is just very shallow. The loungers are for sunbathing sitting in the water to keep you cool. In the middle it is a little deeper for the toddlers.

This is the original old pool. We don't swim here as we prefer the beach.

The lagoon is as we leave the hotel on our way around to the beach where we swim. Lots of the kids prefer to swim here instead of the beach.

There is a boardwalk around  the lagoon to the beach. The Hilton with the mural. 

On the other side of the lagoon is the beach where we swim.

Looking back across the lagoon just before we reach our swimming beach. Our hotel the Ilikai is the Y shaped building on the left of the photo, so as you can see its not far to walk for a swim.

Our swimming beach on right of the lagoon. Hotel far left.

Today we walked over to the Ala Moana Park beach for a change. Its just a bit further to walk so we took our lunch and spent more time there as there are trees to sit under. This beach is bigger and  a little better for swimming but unfortunately its that much further to walk in this heat. But I think we might use it more because of the trees. This photo is looking south out to the end of Magic Island where there is another swimming area. Will get a photo of that area in a few days.

Same beach but looking along to the west. Beautiful for swimming.

 PT trying to keep in the shade but you don't get much under a palm tree. Also he had to keep moving his towel as the sun was moving.... fast. There are lots of bigger trees in the park.

 We were sitting on the balcony looking inland watching the start of the sunset. The sun reflection looks nice against the buildings

Sun going down. We still haven't had a really spectacular sunset yet.

  Fivezies on the deck watching the sun going down

FRIDAY 15th September

This morning we got a bus through Honolulu looking for Kmart. We asked the driver to let us know the stop for Kmart. He told us they had closed down and its now called Lowe's so we got off at the right stop, could see Lowe's and went in. We immediately thought this isn't anything like Kmart and we were in the building that looked very much like our Bunnings although in addition to all the handyman items it also sold appliances eg fridges, washing machines etc. Quite the wrong shop to what we wanted. By now we were well past Honolulu in the middle of nowhere. We proceeded to find the right bus stop to get us back. We were told Kmart had closed down except out in the west so gave up on that one.

While we were in the Kmart we  took a few pictures.

This is on the outside of one of the doors of a double door fridge. Apparently if you are out shopping and you want to know what you need to stock up the fridge, you go into an app on your phone which brings up a camera on your phone to tell you whats in your fridge while you are out. What next....

.....

This is what it shows on your phone.

Halloween is is coming up which the Americans go into in a big way so just a few shots as to whats in the shops now.

Tonight's sunset

Reflections on the buildings we look out on

Went down to the Friday night fireworks again at 7.45pm  and along the footpath were several flash motorbikes

SATURDAY 16TH  September

We took off for another walk along Ala Moana Beach. Very hot and humid. We are getting the trade winds today coming in from the north east. We haven't had these for a week or so and  having them makes a nice breeze which helps a little with the heat. Being the weekend the locals all come out to the beach for the day. Above photo shows how they set themselves up tents , tables, bbqs, chairs heaps of food, chilli bins and their music. All the families get together with all the kids and make a day of it. This isn't the best set up we have seen. Its just amazing how much they bring for a day.

We past a groom who was waiting for his bride to have her photos alone so we started talking to him. His English wasn't the best but we all got by. These are the Japanese weddings we see all day long on the beaches having their photos taken. We asked him if they have their photos taken first before they are married or after. He understood and said photos first.

As we turned back from our walk we past them again, still posing for those great shots. What a cute couple. I just missed getting a photo of the bride giving us a big wave.
 .

On our way back from our walk we went into the shops and brought a couple of things then walked down to the supermarket to stock up. By this time feeling very tired and hot and hands full of shopping bags we  jumped onto the bus for the last two stops .

Tonight's sunset

More reflections

Although it doesn't look very big, this is the Pride of America cruise ship leaving port tonight at 7.00pm. Its taken on a zoomed shot but it is some way away. It looked so big in port today; massive...

As I was finishing off the blog PT made me this pancake yum.......