Family has arrived…Absolutely wonderful!…Whale watching at home!…

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Our first whale in Hawaii, spotted by our grandson Jayden, 9. Good eye, Jayden. And Nik, 14 spotted the first sea turtles. Guess “safari luck” is hereditary.

At 6:00 am this morning we heard the animated sound of Jayden’s voice outside. Looking out the window, we saw our four family members outside on the patio staring out the sea, squealing with delight.

Last night’s moon rising over the sea.

Tom bolted out of bed to join them, only moments later hollering upstairs to me as I brushed my teeth, to hurry and get outside. In a matter of seconds, he handed me the camera as I stood on the lanai anxious to grab a good shot of a whale they spotted breaching the surface, the steamy blow hole presenting an awe-inspiring spray.

Last night’s moon high in the sky.

My heart leaped with excitement. Unfortunately, by the time I got outside, I’d missed a good shot but Sarah had the photo we’ve included today using her smartphone.

This morning’s sunrise.

I guess from now on, we’ll be up at 6:00 am looking for the spray of the whales, hoping to get more photos. We lined up six chairs on the patio facing the sea where we’ll all sit throughout the day looking for whales, turtles (which we spotted), and later basking in the sun.

A coastline view from our drive along the Red Road.

In 17 hours since they’ve arrived, they’ve seen the moonrise, sea turtles, a whale, and oddly, a hitchhiker which none of us had seen in quite a while. 

The moon early this morning.

After a great taco dinner, last night with a fresh batch made again tonight for dinner, we spent hours laughing and enjoying many of our photos of wildlife taken over the past 26 months since we left Minnesota.

Angel Trumpet flowers, the first we’ve seen in Hawaii.  We’d seen these on the island of Madeira, many months ago. Cheryl, one of our readers, wrote to inform us that these flowers are toxic. Stay clear…for looking only!

Honestly, it’s like never a day had passed since we’ve seen each other. Instantly, we fell in step, all talking at the same time, laughing and smiling as wide as the face will allow.

Bougainvillea on the Big Island.

This morning, they’ll watch the Minnesota Vikings game on the computer or if we can get it going, using our portable projector. In any case, it will be a great day, as it will be every day as this exciting month has begun. 

Chicken that wanders our neighborhood.

Enjoy our photos of the moon from last night and our solitary whale photo. But, without a doubt, more of each will follow. By the way, people photos will be posted tomorrow. 

Happy Sunday. It surely will be here.

                                            Photo from one year ago today, December 7, 2013:
No photos were posted one year ago today, as we wrote about the death of Nelson Mandela which transpired while we were living in South Africa. For details of that post, please click here.

Family beginning to arrive today…Red Road Scenic Route photos…

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A breathtaking scene on the Red Road route.

Today, son TJ, girlfriend Sarah and two grandsons, Nik and Jayden, will be arriving from Minneapolis. In a few hours, Tom will leave for the two hour drive to Kona to pick them up at the airport. After checking online this morning, it appears their flight has been delayed by less than an hour in LA, not unusual.

We didn’t realize until we were in the islands how much we’d appreciate the lava rock which offers its own type of beauty. Although sandy beaches are preferred and required for swimming, the lava rock along the shore bespeaks the creation of the islands.

I’ll stay behind to make room for the five of them and their luggage although the minivan has six seats.  Hopefully, they’ll arrive back here in Pahoa by 4:30 this afternoon.

The sparkling water is entrancing during the short periods the sun peeked out during our long drive.
Lava rock and crystal-like water.

We’re so excited about their arrival and will surely enjoy the two weeks the six of us will have together before our other two little families arrive on the 21st. Tom and I will move next door on the 20th to make room for the others arriving on the 21st.

The clouds rapidly wafting across the sky along with the vegetation creates a pretty scene.

While I stay behind today, I’ll clean the house and prepare tonight’s meal by chopping, dicing, and cooking meat for tacos and taco salads, surely kid-friendly food.

Wooly sheep reaching for a morsel.

Yesterday, we took off on yet another scenic drive along the coast taking more lovely photos to share. In every direction, we find ourselves in awe of the beauty surrounding us on this lush island. 

Ah, seeing animals in our travels always makes us smile inspiring us to stop for a photo.

Less inhibited than Oahu which has almost one million people, the Big Island of Hawai’i, the largest of the islands has a population of over 185,000 based on a 2010 census. This link illustrates the difference in sizes and populations.

Dad and baby goat resting under the shade of a tree as we drove by.

Maui, the island we left Monday has a population of around 145,000 although Hawai’i is almost five times larger in area than Maui. As a result, there are many unpopulated areas, some of which we’ve already had the opportunity to visit on our road trips on both the eastern and southern sides of the island.

It appears these are papayas, often seeing growing in Hawaii.

Without a doubt, we’ll be venturing out with family over the next few weeks further exploring the island discovering new exquisite terrain and vegetation.

Our attraction to chickens continues wherever we may be, especially when we see them wandering about in a “free-range” manner. At the grocery store, we purchased free-range and organic eggs and chickens when possible. Such a dozen here in the islands in $8 a dozen. Add 12 oz. of bacon for another $8.  That’s one pricey homemade breakfast. Many food prices in Hawaii are reasonable but a few imported and organic items are outrageous.

As Tom and I explored these past days, we realized this is the Hawaii that we love, not the high rise hotels and busy tourist areas. Instead, we are in awe of the quiet remote, almost hidden, forested, and ocean areas that have existed for millions of years created by volcanic activity at varying periods of time. This reader friendly article further explains the formation of the islands.

Why does our rental car have an exterior antenna as shown in the photo as I stepped out of the car? I thought these were obsolete. None of our rental cars in foreign countries had them.

As promised for today, we’ve included some of the photos we took on our drive through the Red Road on Highway 137 witnessing the pristine beauty of what appears relatively untouched other than a smattering of hidden homes and farms along the way.

Occasionally, we’d spot an entrance to a house with yet more plants living their properties.

We’ll be back tomorrow with new photos and stories of the joy of being together with family after so long a period of time apart.

Have a fabulous weekend.

                                            Photo from one year ago today, December 6, 2013:

Leon, the owner of Jabula Lodge, became a fast friend with whom we spent many enjoyable hours in Marloth Park, took us on our first game drive in the park. For multiple sightings on this game drive, please click here.

Contentment prevails in a simple life in Hawaii…Many more new photos…A glass bottle wall…

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The beauty of the Maui we know and love.
Vine covered building at the Maui Tropical Plantation.
A colorful variety of Hibiscus.

We’d hoped to do more sightseeing while we’re in Maui. What can we say? We haven’t felt like it. Plain and simple. After being on the go non-stop from July 31st to October 5th, 77 days on the go, we’ve had our fill for a while, spending blissfully relaxing time over this past month in Maalaea Beach.

We picked up this star-shaped pod from the Autograph Tree ground. 
More star-shaped pods from the Autograph Tree, clusia Rosea seed pods.
Clusia rosea - Autograph Tree, Scotch Attorney, Copey, Pitch Apple, Florida Clusia, Signature Tree (brown flower)
The above seed pods from the Autograph Tree result in these flowers.  (Not our photo).

No more long lines, traffic, pushing past anxious tourists walking tight along the sidewalk refusing to let this couple in tow pass by, we’ve had our fill. For now, we’re in heaven, grasping at every morsel in time that too quickly wafts through our days and nights, leaving us wanting more of this blissful quiet existence in this peaceful spot on the island of Maui.

Cordyline Indivisa leaf.
Hawaiian made items for sale in a shop on the grounds of the plantation.
Yet to bloom, Spathoglottis Flower Plicata.

We have no desire to jump into the rental car, begging to be used at $25 per day, that sits beaconing us to explore, for which we’ve yet to use a full tank of gas. Contentment. Enjoy it when it’s present. That’s how we feel.

Plumeria, often used in making leis.
We walked under this mass of vines creating a gorgeous arbor.

In but a few weeks, the family will begin to arrive and surely we’ll be on the go, exploring the Big Island with them, interacting with them, loving every precious moment with them. And again, the time will quickly pass, too quickly.

Colorful plants lined the walkways.
Anthurium, also known as bleeding hearts. This variety may be the Watermelon Obake Anthurium.
Jade plant, one of many varieties.

For now, we welcome the snail’s pace when presently it consists of peaceful days and lazy nights in gentle contemplation, of what is yet to come, in the coming month during which they will come and then, they will go.

A palm frond along the walkway.
Another pretty scene in the gardens.

What can I say? Contentment prevails. Contentment wraps its eloquent arms around our currently subdued state of mind, offering a respite from the otherwise complex nature of our unusual lives. 

The stone wall in this photo was actually made with glass bottles. See photos below.
Glass bottles protruding from the wall created an interesting scene.  Talk about recycling!
Photo of the opposite side of the bottle wall.

Bear with us, as we spend these next 11 days, leaving Maui on December 1st, while we continue to embrace this simple life.  In the interim, we’ve gathered and continue to gather, many more photos and stories of this uncomplicated existence, not unlike the life of those who actually live full time in Hawaii, who seldom, if ever sightsee, finding themselves at peace and content, at home in these islands, as we are now…

                                          Photo from one year ago today, November 20, 2013:

It was a windy night in Kenya when we dined out as the only guests in this quaint beachside restaurant. Tom relaxed with a beer, his hair blowing in the wind as I wandered about taking a photo of an upcoming moon, as soon as the cloud would pass. For details from the date, please click here.

Becoming a reality…Only a short time away…A wonderful memory…

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Tom, standing at the beach enjoying the early evening sky and the sea.

When I was a little girl, all but two of my growing up years were spent living in California. My father’s mother, my dear Grandmother, lived a long way away in Boston, was often on my mind.

Across the bay, it’s still Maui based on the island’s shape.

We only saw her once every two or three years, my parents driving all the way across the US in as few days as possible to see her where we’d spend one week or less at her beautiful home in a fine area of Boston. On a rare occasion, she took the long and arduous flight to see us.

To this day, I remember how she let me play with her costume jewelry and the three or four coconut heads with faces that hung from the ceiling in her basement, a beautifully finished area for entertainment and card playing.

Hawaii is a treasure trove of exquisite vegetation.

Although I spent little time with her, she influenced me in many ways that have become a part of how I’ve spent a lifetime striving to be like her; her warmth and kindness, her quiet elegance, her hearty laughter, and her passion for playing cards.

Now, as the time nears that Tom and I will see our six grandchildren after being away for 26 months, I recall my Grandmother and can only hope and pray that even a tiny bit of that legacy will carry on into the lives of our grandchildren.

This almost looks like a scene from New England by the sea.

Sure, we chose to live away from the day to day interactions as they thrive and grow. But, in Minnesota, it is not unusual for grandparents to move to warmer climates dreading old age in the frozen tundra, although they may see them a few times each year on visits.

As much as we’d love to see the sunset wherever we may live, we’re content to see the effects of it on the horizon.

With the easy use of Skype for face time as a means of communication, it isn’t as it was many years ago, an expensive long-distance call lasting only one or two minutes. With Skype, not only do we hear their voices, we see their faces and they can show us anything they’d like us to see; a favorite toy, a report card, a funny face, a favorite pet, or a pool in the backyard

Another pretty tropical flower.

In a little over three weeks they begin to arrive, some staying until January 9th. Other than the time I’ll spend early each morning posting photos and stories here and some necessary household tasks, our time will be spent with them as much as possible. 

At around 5:30 yesterday, Tom spotted this rainbow.  It hadn’t rained.

Like sleep, “they” say you can’t make up for the lost time. Perhaps, with enough love, you can. Besides, whenever I’m exhausted from poor sleep, I know one good night’s sleep remedies it all. Maybe “they” were wrong after all. Maybe we can make up for the time we’ve lost with loved ones, after all.

In these upcoming weeks with our adult children and grandchildren, we hope to spend every moment we can make up for the lost time. The easy part is that the love is firmly in place, deeply ingrained and ready to spew out of our pent up hearts.

                                          Photo from one year ago today, November 13, 2013:

Tom, drinking a locally made Tusker beer while we were out to dinner in a cave. On this night a year ago, we had a scary incident as told in the story.  Please click here for details.

High surf in Hawaii due to storm in Russia…New photos…Why, this life?…

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Although the hills block the sun setting, these beautiful skies give us a peek of what lurks behind the hills.

Forecasters say a powerful storm a few days ago off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia has generated a very large northwest swell. This swell reached the Hawaiian islands Monday evening and persists through Wednesday morning, bringing warning level surf to the area.

A new Coast Guard boat in the marina.

We can’t see the resulting high surf from here. The usual break of medium-sized waves along the shores of Maalaea Beach continues as a steady wake. But, the storm in Russia certainly illustrates how the world around us has an effect on others all over the world. 

As a matter of fact, we can “run, but we can’t hide” from the effects that reverberate all over the world from one country to another; political unrest, infectious disease, financial downfall, and as we see here today, weather systems from very far away.

Not our photo. Several times each day we check the surf in hopes of spotting photo opportunities such as this.

Hawaii, not unlike other parts of the world has a variety of newsworthy events occurring due to weather, volcanos, and their lava flow, hurricanes, high surf, and shark attacks. There even a website devoted to reporting on recent shark attacks. Click here for details.

And here we are, Tom and I, safely ensconced in a comfy condo by the sea, perfectly content with the simplicity of this life in the islands, never having to get up and go to work, never having to mow the lawn or shovel snow (especially after recent storms in Minnesota and other parts of the US).

Beautiful colors at dusk at the lava rock breakwaters.

Some may say, “Gee, how did they get so lucky?” In reality, it had nothing to do with “luck” and everything to do with a combined 90 years of hard work and finally throwing in the towel to retire and choose a life “outside the box.”

As glamorous as it may sound, it has required a huge amount of planning and sacrifice which many may hesitate to consider in search of that which may be fulfilled in times of retirement. 

Notice how the colors of these flowers progress to a brighter pink at the top. This is a variety of Aloe Vera.

What was it about our lives that made us take such drastic measures to create a new life? The answer isn’t that easy. For us, it was a combination of many life events that made it a possibility.

In part, it was the self-sufficiency of our grown children in creating responsible and fulfilling lives for themselves allowing us to let go. In another way, it was our own “lurking below the surface” desire for adventure. 

It’s the same challenge with these which we’re unable to find after searching through hundreds of photos.

In another significant manner, it was a result of Tom’s excellent retirement benefits that enable us to continue with this life as long as we can, as long as we want, providing we maintain a strict budget that we adhere to without failure. 

In another way, it is our interest and passion for detail, using the internet as a valuable resource that moved us along allowing us access to the world, never to have been available in years past.

The crisp white and yellow of Plumeria.

Would our health allow us to be away from routine doctor appointments, prescriptions, and usual health insurance? For me, it was only through my restrictive diet that I attained renewed health or I’d never been able to tackle this life on the move when a mere four years ago, maneuvering through daily life was excruciating and barely manageable? 

Also, it was a combined willingness to let go of routines and familiar aspects of life we’d found fulfilling in many ways. Were two people, rigid in some ways, able to change and find new ways to move through life with happiness and fulfillment?

Sunset over the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Building.

It was a matter of these many factors falling into place that motivated us to choose to enter into this life. And, it was the availability of this amazing world around us, however tumultuous at times; sharks, hurricanes, lava flow, snakes, biting insects, treacherous roads, potential hazards, and risks, that brought us to this place, this date, this time in our lives. 

For this, we are humbled.

                                          Photo from one year ago today, November 12, 2013:

We never quite figured out these pods growing in the yard of the house in Kenya. For details of that date, as we wound down our final of three months in Diani Beach, please click here.

Stuff happens…Plans change…

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A catamaran at the pier.

Today, we’d planned to go to Kaanapali Beach for the day, after we finished posting here. In close touch with family, today I want to be nearby for a Skype call regarding a beloved family member’s serious medical issue. That call trumps all else.

As a result, we won’t have photos from Kaanapali Beach until I feel more at ease not being available by Skype for my family. No matter where we may be, life goes on and the trials and tribulations of daily life continue, perhaps harder when we’re so far away.

An old boat awaiting restoration or the junkyard.

Then again, in our old lives, all of our family members didn’t live nearby.  Instead of a Skype call, it was a call on a scratchy cell phone, the signal often less clear than on Skype, but the significance of being there for one another was always as clear as day.

That hasn’t changed in our travels. Love continues on. We worry. We wait. We anticipate. Our hearts still ache with concern and sorrow for those we love wherever they may be, whatever they may need, and however we may be there for them, as close as a computer click away.

The Maalaea Beach Marina on a cloudy day.

And moments later, there’s a familiar face on the computer screen and a familiar voice, knowing that we are together once again and can be loving and supportive in good times and bad.

As we often have written here, health and emotional well being are vital for happiness. Whatever one must do, however difficult, must be done to maintain and grow our own highest level of health and strength.

An invitation to s fishing expedition.

But, we humans are imperfect. We’re not like a flower, give it water and sunshine and it will flourish. Many of life’s challenges stand in our way. Many of our own inequities and lack of willingness to stay strong stand in our way.

And then, there are those situations that are beyond our control when we’re held captive to an illness, injury, or circumstance at which point our only control is how we respond to the graveness of our situation and how much we’re able to fight back.

The expanse of the oceans the islands and the sky never fail to inspire.

Who am I to know the answers?  I’m not more qualified than the next person. But, I do know one thing…we can never give up. In doing so, we release the power to cope, to grow, to change, and ultimately, to heal.

So, this morning, I run out for a quick visit to the store in Kihei for a few grocery items, returning in plenty of time for the call with the time difference in mind and praying for a good outcome.

A waning moon lighting the sky and sea.

With that, I’ll close for today to be back tomorrow, hopefully, a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser, and ready to tackle whatever life throws our way.

Have a good day!

                                            Photo from one year ago today, November 10, 2013:

Pufferfish are deadly if not cleaned properly. Luckily, this pufferfish was fried with batter so I wasn’t tempted to try it. Puffer is the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world after the Golden Poison Frog, the most venomous creature known to humans. For details of that date, please click here.

More lava updates…Back to Lahaina photos…A link to one of our favorite recipes…

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When we were at the park, we spotted this bird, a Red Crested Cardinal. 

Yesterday, we were a little sidetracked from posting more Lahaina photos when we reported on the lava flow from Mount Kilauea. We’re constantly watching local news for the latest updates. It looks like the first house in the village of Pahoa will be taken by the lava today, miles from the houses we’ve rented which will be shown on the local and world news.

Tom couldn’t resist buying fudge. But, would you believe he purchased the plain fudge when all these fabulous flavors were available? He ate it in one day (it was a small piece). Now back to healthy eating.
Tom drooled over the saltwater taffy but resisted when he spotted the fudge.

The local officials will allow the homeowners to stay to watch their home be consumed by the lava and go up in flames, enabling them to make peace with the process. How heart-wrenching! The people of Hawaii are very sensitive, spiritual, and thoughtful. The local news is informative, tender, and caring, not sensationalizing this situation at all.

I walked past this store without the slightest interest in looking around. Living simple is a learned art. I’m learning.
A popular restaurant in Lahaina, Bubba Gump.

We feel fortunate that we have the time to make a decision by November 15th at which point we’ll have to decide if we’ll pay the balance of our deposits. If we decide to go forward and if the hazard continues to the houses, we have no doubt we’ll be refunded the entire monies we’ve paid if we have to bail closer to move-in dates. The two owners are lovely people and would never take advantage of us.

Many restaurants in Lahaina are “open-air” as is the case in most of Hawaii.

In a way, this is yet another part of the amazing experiences that we’ve added to our ongoing world travels. Who, in their lifetime, has to face the ravages of volcanic lava upsetting their plans? Our grandchildren will speak of this for years, as well as many of the other challenges we’ve met.

Here’s a familiar spot!

For us, the inconvenience is nothing compared to the homeowners who’ve had to move everything they own out of their houses, find other places to live, and watch their homes destroyed by this situation over which they have no control. 

On the return drive to Maalaea Beach, we stopped at a park and campground.

Many of these homeowners live in homes owned by generations of family, many have rented homes for years, treating them as if they were their own. Even if the homeowners are insured, it may be prohibitive to rebuild when not only will they lose the house, but they’ll also lose the land to the lava, which becomes a permanent resident for centuries to come.

The beaches on the return drive are beautiful.

We’ll figure it out. And, we’ll continue to keep our family members and readers updated on the latest developments as they transpire. Again, we thank our readers for thoughtful email and comments with your kindness and concern.

We continue on…

                                           Photo from one year ago today, October 28, 2013:

Last year, we posted this photo of our dinner plates made with low carb, grain, sugar, and starch free coconut chicken including the complete, easy recipe.  Please click here for the recipe and details.

Part 1…The road to Lahaina…Many photos from a great outing in the charming village….

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Quaint little shops in Lahaina, mostly pricey are filled with beautiful merchandise. However, we got a kick out of perusing the shops. This time, the temptation to make purchases was harder for me to resist than usual, especially the clothing. There’s no room in the luggage for a thing.

This morning with clouds steadily rolling in, we spent a little bit of time by the pool as we anticipated raindrops at any moment. The weather in the Hawaiian Islands seems to change quickly, typical for most tropical climates.

Hawaiian tradition is powerful in the islands.  t is with great reverence and respect that we attempt to learn a little about their culture.

Never feeling disappointed considering all the sunny days, we hardly complain instead, packing up our towels, smartphones, and camera to head back inside.

The Humpback Whales come to Hawaii in order to care for their young beginning in December. We’re looking forward to Whale watching once we get to the Big Island.

As much as we love going out and about, we are so at ease in this condo and its ocean views, we don’t mind being indoors in inclement weather. Over the past week, almost every day we’ve turned off the AC, opened both the front screened door and the sliding door to the lanai for a robust breeze that is both comfortable and refreshing.

This netting covers the dangerous rock and lava walls that line both sides of the highway in places where falling rocks had been an issue. This netting could be used in many other parts of the world with the same hazard.

The temperature seems to vary only a few degrees during daylight hours, from 82F to 89F degrees cooling down to the 70s at night. Sleeping without AC is the bedroom is no issue at all, although we anticipated it maybe when we first arrived.

The first tunnel we’ve entered since leaving Madeira, Portugal three months ago.

Feeling a bit sluggish from my falling back to sleep for an hour at 8 am this morning, my usual energy level is at bay and for a moment I considered not doing today’s post and saving the photos for tomorrow.

On Highway 30, we made our way to Lahaina from Maalaea Beach. a pleasant 40-minute drive including several stops for photos.

Honestly, posting has never been a chore or a burden for me. Plus, I don’t care to miss a day when I’ve been so diligent about posting every day in so long I can’t remember. Oh, I may have missed a travel day, a no WiFi day, or a “lights out” day here and there in the past year, not much more. I don’t keep track of those.

It wasn’t easy to find a parking spot. When we did, we parked in a strip mall, later to discover when we returned there was a 30 minute limit in the spot we’d chosen. Luckily, we didn’t get a ticket.  Next time, we’ll be more observant.

When we arrived in Maui nine days ago, I promised myself that I’d go back to revising the zillions of errors in our posts going all the way back to the beginning on March 15, 2012. This is quite the task with well over 800 posts since the onset. 

An authentic Chinese restaurant on Front St. in Lahaina.

In many locations, a poor WiFi signal caused number alignment and photo posting errors, some of which are impossible to revise even now with a good signal. My only choice has been to do the best I can on the revisions and save them, know that the only alternative would be to delete them and that, dear readers, I have no intention of doing.

We’ve been communicating by email with a new reader, lovely Staci from Texas, who started reading every post from the beginning rather than starting at this point. She’s written a few email messages that we’ve both treasure for her candor and support. 

There was a tiny theatre next door to the authentic Chinese restaurant but it was closed when we walked by. Apparently, they have videos of Chinese history in Hawaii.

It is for this reason that we’d never want to delete a post. Keeping the continuity of our travels for new readers or those choosing to go back to the beginning is vital to maintain the flow of the ongoing story.

Each day I revise 20 daily posts which usually takes me from two to three hours. So far, I’ve only completed up to and including April 17, 2013, with hundreds more to go. 

Many charming restaurants, most of which have ocean views, offered fresh fish and seafood selections. Since we had a nice dinner awaiting our return, we decided to return for dinner at our next outing.

Amidst the time and effort it takes to correct the WiFi errors and my own typos and other errors, I’ve found it interesting reading what we wrote so long ago. That’s not to say that what we’ve posted is so interesting.  Instead, it speaks to my own curiosity to see how we’ve changed over these past few years, how we’ve adapted, and how much more tolerant and less fearful we’ve become. 

From that perspective, I’m motivated to continue on at the 20 posts per day. If all goes well, I could be finished in the five remaining weeks we have in Maui. That would be a relief, having this project behind me. Between writing the new posts and correcting the 20 old posts each day, I’m spending no less than five hours a day, often much more when there are many photos to manipulate.

Breathtaking ocean scenery is at every turn.

Even yesterday, when we were gone most of the day, when we returned from Lahaina before dinner, I sat down at my computer and got to work on the corrections, completing them before we finally sat down for dinner which I’d prepped early in the morning.

The street in Lahaina was considerably less busy than when I’d visited this quaint village many years ago before I met Tom. Each time I’d visited Lahaina it was during the winter months when many more tourists visit the islands.

I suppose that a part of me never really wanted to retire.  In reality, with the business aspects we’ve included as part of our site, I do have a part-time job. Fortunately, perhaps even oddly, I enjoy it as much today as I did in the beginning. 

Houses and townhouses are not unlike those anywhere else in the US, are located in Lahaina, Maui.

I suppose never tiring of posting is comparable to our ongoing world travels; we enjoy it now as much now as we did in the beginning or, as comparable to us enjoying spending time together; as much as we did in the beginning. 

Good thing that hasn’t changed!

                                            Photo from one year ago today, October 25, 2013:

With candles and lanterns, we were prepared in Kenya for the power outage continuing after dark which proved to be for 17 hours. The water had been out the prior day. For details of that date, please click here.

First time driving a car in almost two years…Here goes!…

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It was a joy to finally see the sun on the sea early in the morning. 

I was never the best driver in town. I can admit that now that I haven’t been driving in almost two years. Most cars we’ve rented only allow Tom, an excellent driver, to drive the vehicle. We haven’t seen any reason to pay an extra $10 a day for me to drive.

At long last, blue skies.

As a result, he’s driven every time we’ve gone out. When we rented the car in Maui, a benefit of the rental agreement stated the “spouse drives for free!” Yikes, I thought. That’s no benefit according to me!

The interesting sky as we walked along the row of condos on the beach.

It’s not my driving that worries me. It’s getting lost. (Gosh, I don’t like sounding like the “helpless little woman.” Otherwise, there’s nothing helpless about me). 

Yesterday, we spent 40 minutes by the pool on the chaise lounges. The sun in Hawaii is very hot.  We welcomed the occasional cloud cover.

Over these past few years, I’ve become so determined to look for photo ops, I haven’t paid a moment’s notice as to how to get to and from any location. Over the years, I’ve analyzed this as to the reason why I have a bad sense of direction. 

Gecko.

My apparent lack of interest in paying attention to the route while I busily become enthralled checking out the surroundings prevents me from recalling the route. I may remember that we passed a certain unusual tree but I won’t remember how we got to the tree.

We continue to watch for colorful birds but have yet to spot any in Maui.

Actually, the combination of Tom and me in the car together greatly aids in our finding our way around which usually is not a problem. He has a sense of finding our way and I recall the landmarks. 

Since we have no cell service on our phones, only SIM cards when available, we have no GPS. We’ve tried to find a world GPS device but the technology for our worldwide locations is just not available unless we’re willing to pay $1000’s.

We’ve watched the tide go in and out each day, noting the number of rocks and boulders that are evident at low tide. I wouldn’t want to drive a boat toward this shoreline.

So far, this hasn’t been an issue for us. We map directions on the smartphone while going online in our vacation home, saving the instructions offline for later use. This has served us well.

The golf course quality lawn at our building is lush green after the rains.

Today, I’m going to the grocery store in Kihei, a 20-minute drive with only three turns. Why am I concerned? I think it’s a combination of finding my way and also driving for the first time in so long. One doesn’t forget how to drive. Why would I? I know I won’t.

As soon as I post this, I’m off to the Safeway which I must admit I’m otherwise looking forward to, especially since this will be the first time in two years that I’ll be in a grocery shop on my own with no impatient Tom pushing the cart or sitting in the car with a specific time designated for him to come inside to help me check out. I can easily check out on my own. After all, I did this for almost 50 years by myself.

We’re both always perusing the shoreline looking for sea turtles or other signs of life.

It must be a guy thing. He’d never sit in the car and not get out to help me put the grocery items on the conveyor belt and then into the bags. It never bothered me doing this alone. However, I’ve greatly appreciated his enthusiasm for being helpful since he retired, more than he knows.

So off I go with no time constraints. I can spend 20 minutes checking out the Italian sausage if I’d like with nary a thought of checking the time. 

Then again, it isn’t often we have to be concerned as to the time of day. That’s nice.

                                           Photo from one year ago today, October 21, 2013:

This was my delicious grilled squid at the Sands at Nomad in Diani Beach, Kenya one year ago today. For details, please click here.

The rough waters continue…We keep having fun!…A year ago, more photos of the Indian Ocean…

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Please click this video for the swimming pool’s reaction to rough seas on the Pacific Ocean.

In two and a half days, we’ll be in the Hawaiian Islands hopefully in calmer seas. The rough seas have continued for four days although much less so than on the second day which was very unpleasant for most people
onboard (except Tom).

The rolling seas seem to affect me more than the slamming waves on the Norwegian Epic 18 months ago when I was never affected (nor was Tom). On this cruise, I spent only a few hours on the second day laying in bed in our cabin, napping off whil the storm was at its worst.

During a ship sponsored a party for Captain’s Club members for passengers who’d experienced multiple Celebrity cruises. Free drinks and appetizers were served.

We haven’t missed a beat other than during that one afternoon. We’ve been to two parties, done three Pub Poker Crawls, one Slot Pull lasting a few hours of outrageous laughing and fun, attended one late-night comedy show, attending four friendly shared table dinners in the main dining room, attended one interesting class on the history of volcanoes in Hawaii, had breakfast in the buffet each morning.

Most of all, we’ve met dozens of amazing people of all ages and have had a variety of enjoyable and meaningful conversations. No grass grows under these feet, rolling seas or not.

We laugh, we giggle, we cajole one another, never failing to enjoy and appreciate one another, knowing that in no time at all, it will be just the two of us once again and we’ll be each other’s main source of
entertainment barring any good fortune we may have, making new friends while in Hawaii.

Posting here continues to be a challenge but, somehow we’re managing to stay in touch with our appreciated and devoted followers all over the world. Please note that on the right side of our page, there is a link for
both Tom’s and my email. If you have a comment or question you’d rather we not post, please write to us there. 

Twenty-eight of us participated in the Slot Pull in this Cruise Critic event. We each contributed US $15 and received 15 pulls after which the winnings or remaining money was paid out. We each lost US $6 but had so much fun it was well worth it over the two-hour event.

If you’re comfortable sharing your questions or comments with all of our readers please feel free to comment at the end of each post. bou may do so easily and anonymously if you choose. Please keep in mind, that we receive and review each comment before it is posted. We do not post comments from “haters” or “nasty” critics, feeling that the nature of our site doesn’t include “shouting” matches or an arena for anger and hostility. 

We have received a handful of hateful comments and we’ve chosen to send them to the “spam” file rather than post them and engage in such unnecessary banter. However, we are open to suggestions, ideas, and thoughtful
critique. Kindness prevails in all areas of our lives.

We apologize for our inability to post many photos using the ship’s WiFi. It just won’t allow the upload of more than two or three photos at a time. However, cruising in the open ocean is not particularly a great environment for photo taking. It took a few hours of WiFi time to post the rough seas video on Thursday. 

The waves were rolling and the wind was blowing but, a few of us ventured outdoors to see the first sunlight in days.

It’s hard to believe that with modern technology, cruise ships don’t improve the quality of their signal. It all boils down to their unwillingness to spend the money to make it more efficient and based on demand by their clientele. 

We doubt that most senior passengers on cruises have a huge need for WiFi other than for email and
Facebook entries whereas, we are data hogs when posting with photos each day. We’ve met some equally frustrated business owners/managers/professionals in the senior age range that are unable to conduct business as needed.

We’ve had three-time changes since we boarded this ship. So far, so good. We’ve been sleeping enough and sleeping soundly through all the noise in the cabin from the rolling seas.

So far we’ve attended two classes on Hawaii, during which time I’ve taken notes on my laptop of which we’ll share as we build our stories about Hawaii’s over the next eight months. Hawaii has a fascinating history that hopefully with peak the interest of our readers when we’re able to add photos to supplement the
stories.

Never a day passes that we don’t think of our readers and how we can add photos and information appealing to the senses in one way or another.

Have a lovely weekend. Waves or no waves, we plan to do so.

                                            Photo from one year ago today, September 27, 2013:
 

A year ago in Diani Beach, Kenya, we visited this resort/restaurant for lunch on the Indian Ocean. For details of that date, please click here.