Hawaii: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9
We couldn’t afford the trip to Hawaii. We decided to put it on “leiaway”.
Mary headed to the conference at 6:15 am, and I stayed in the room until almost 9:30 am, lounging around and catching up on my sleep.
Before Mary departed, I asked her: “What do you get when you cross a hula hoop and a boxer? ” I have her the answer, “A Hawaiian Punch.”
At 6:30 am, our ocean view room was questionable.
After the sun came up, it was a different story! We actually did have an ocean view. The weather was “cool” but quite lovely.
It looked pretty good by 9:00 am.
After a quick shower and shave, I headed to the front desk to get a map of this place…it is huge!! I got directions to their morning buffet, which was terrific. It could become a habit.
I chowed down and even had a chocolate chip-raisin bagel for dessert! I will not have to eat until dinner time. I substituted the mango-pineapple-orange drink for my usual Bloody Mary.
I had a large breakfast.
My birdee friends were all over until 11:00 am when the buffet closed, and within a few minutes, they disappeared. They are pretty smart!
My little friends came to the table as soon as people departed.
My romantic thoughts led me to search for a steakhouse that Mary would love. I found Son’z and made reservations for 5:00 pm, just in time to watch the sunset over the lagoon.
This ought to be a romantic evening.
Back to the room, I had to stop and toggle the statues that adorned the main entrance; I was too tired to see them last night! I defined them to Mary in a text message, but I am worried she may try to recreate the scene.
Back to the room for a rest before Mary gets off “work.”
Yep! Guess which one is Mary?
Mary could not resist herself!
I was like the country puppy dog and went to the school to meet up with Mary! Contrary to many of your thoughts, I did NOT wag my tail nor sit up. I just sat patiently.
One look at my forlore self, and she decided to go to another session, so I returned to the room.
At 2:30 pm, she texted and said she was coming to the room as her back had had it for the day!
She is studying hard!
We were ready to go, so we went to find the car; my navigator had the iPhone ready! We will be going through Lahaina on our way north.
A tourist in Hawaii is amazed at how healthy and invigorated he feels after just a few days of visiting the islands…
He strikes up a conversation with one of the locals while they are wading out into the crystal clear, warm surf on yet another perfect island day.
“I just can’t get over how beautiful this place is,” the tourist says excitedly, “I feel great! I haven’t felt this young and healthy in years! Island life is fantastic!”
The local says, “I know what you mean! Take me for instance. When I came here, I was totally bald, didn’t have any teeth, and I couldn’t even walk…and look at me now!”
The tourist looks at him and says, “Wow, that’s amazing! How long have you been here?”
The local says, “Oh, I was born here.”
Look out dinner; here we come!
We are ready to go! My navigator and sidekick is prepared for her Filet Mignon!
Onward, we trekked and enjoyed the 35 miles of scenery!
Off we go!
The traffic was OK, and my navigator was on “speak” mode, and I could not get it to turn off. We drove past Lahaina on a new bypass road. You could still smell the burnt homes/trees even on the road at 35 mph. There was a fence along the road to attempt to block lookie-loos, but in several places, we could see the devastation!
We arrived at the Marriott at 4:00 pm and headed to the poolside watering hole since our reservations were for 5:00 pm at the restaurant upstairs.
We could see Lahina in the distance from our perch at the bar.
We have too much fun, but that’s OK; after this many years on the planet, we deserve fun.
When we are together, the sky lights up!
Lanai is 38 miles away and is quite visible, with a maximum height of 3600 feet. Also known as the Pineapple Isle, Lanai Island is home to iconic places like Sweetheart Rock, Garden of the Gods, and Shipwreck Beach. It houses one of the most expensive resorts in Hawaii, and 98% of the island is owned by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle.
Kaho’olawe was also visible.
By state law, Kaho’olawe and its waters can be used only for Native Hawaiian cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes, fishing, environmental restoration, historic preservation, and education. All commercial uses are prohibited.
Access to the Reserve (the island and the 2 miles of ocean surrounding Kaho’olawe) is restricted because of the continued danger of unexploded ordnance.
Mary’s filet mignon was done perfectly! The poor little bugger did not have a chance to run away as Mary had her weapons ready!
Dinner is served!
I decided to go for shrimp and lobster, both of which were cooked perfectly! The restaurant’s advertisements were not misleading! We sat six feet from the lagoon, and the netting was hardly visible but needed; otherwise, the native wildlife would be joining us for dinner!
What do you call a Hawaiian murder mystery? A Hula-Dunnit.
Our view from the table was amazing, looking directly at a lagoon fresh with swans and ducks, plus an occasional turtle.After a delightful meal, we headed home, a 50-minute, 35-mile drive with the navigator directing every inch of the way!
Winding our way through the lobby, Lanai is in the background.
Aloha everybody. Aloha is the essence of being: love, peace, compassion, and a mutual understanding of respect. Aloha means living in harmony with the people and land around you with mercy, sympathy, grace, and kindness. When greeting another person with aloha, there is mutual regard and affection.
Heading for home!
We were both tired and crashed immediately! Before going to bed, I questioned Mary’s obsession with frogs!
I should have looked at the fine print!
Tomorrow is another day!
